Image

Last updated: August 28, 2024 

Street drugs and some pharmaceutical drugs can be harmful for you and for your developing baby during pregnancy.

Support is available to help you understand how certain drugs might affect your pregnancy and to help you manage or even stop your drug use.

If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk to your health care provider about any drugs or medications you are taking, even if you are using a medication without the advice of a health care provider, or for non-medical reasons.

Pharmaceutical drugs

Using street drugs when you’re pregnant can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm delivery. You may also eat poorly, not get enough sleep, and be at risk for diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Mothers who continue to use street drugs are usually advised not to breastfeed.

Opioids (such as morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl) are medications that are often prescribed as pain relievers. Opioid use during pregnancy can increase your risk of miscarriage or preterm birth. Your baby may be born with a low birth weight, experience withdrawal symptoms, or have their feeding and sleeping patterns affected. Your health care provider can connect you to supports that can help you manage your opioid use in the safest way for you and your baby.

Sedatives such as Xanax, Valium or Ativan (Benzodiazepines) are sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety or sleep problems. These can be harmful to your baby when taken during pregnancy, especially if they are taken at the same time as opioids or alcohol. It is recommended you talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant and taking sedatives.

Cocaine and methamphetamine (crystal meth)

Stimulants such as cocaine and crystal meth can be very harmful to your health, affecting your heart rate, energy, sleeping patterns, memory and mental health. When you’re pregnant, they can cause very serious health concerns for you and your baby, as well as putting your baby at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Heroin

Using heroin when you’re pregnant can increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.  Moms-to-be need help to slowly decrease their use so the baby doesn’t have withdrawal symptoms.  After withdrawal, children whose mothers used heroin during pregnancy may do well in the long term, if they were protected from other risks and raised in a positive environment.

Inhalants

Inhaling solvents (such as glue, gasoline, paint thinner and cleaning fluids) or aerosols (such as compressed gases from hairspray and spray paint cans) can increase the risk of miscarriage and a range of physical birth defects. Babies whose mothers use inhalants, or come into contact with them frequently during pregnancy, may also be at risk for long lasting mental health and behaviour problems similar to those seen in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Help to stop using

B.C. has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line to provide faster and easier access to life-saving medication for opioid-use disorder and same-day care. This confidential, toll-free service (1-833-804-8111) is available across B.C. and connects individuals with a team of doctors and nurses who can prescribe opioid agonist medications. Callers are also linked to regional health-care teams for ongoing treatment and support. The service, covered by BC PharmaCare, is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Individual, family and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. For more information call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service in the Lower Mainland at 604-660-9382 or toll-free anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-663-1441, or visit our Mental Health and Substance Use web pages.

To find mental health and substance use support services in your area, search the HealthLinkBC Directory or contact your local health authority.