Pregnancy and Cocaine Use

A detailed Summary of Pregnancy and Cocaine Use


The effects of drug abuse during pregnancy have long been documented. The use and abuse of these substances have been known to cause diseases for the unborn children, ranging from cocaine addiction to severe birth defects. Physicians have therefore strongly advised pregnant women to refrain from using drugs, especially restricted ones such as marijuana and cocaine.

Research has proven that substances like marijuana and cocaine damage short term memory, distorts perceptions, impairs complex motor skills, alters the heart rate, can lead to severe anxiety, and can cause paranoia and lethargy. All these effects present significant problems even to people who are healthy. The risks are compounded for women who are pregnant.

Cocaine use is much more dangerous than marijuana, since the former's effects are felt immediately. These effects also disappear quickly. Small amounts of up to 100 mg can give the user a sense of euphoria. While


There is also a further question regarding the constitutionality of recognizing fetal rights in this case. Such rights have significant implications for women's reproductive rights, which are premised on the sovereignty of a woman over her body, a woman's right to privacy, and the fetus's lack of personhood status. Ascribing rights to a fetus challenges those assumptions regarding a woman's sovereignty over her own body.

Second, such bills place physicians and other healthcare workers in the position of "policing" their patients. This policing action changes the dynamic of doctor-patient consultations, as a substance abuser would most likely be wary of divulging information related to drug use. This could then lead to complications, for both mother and the unborn baby. Corollary to this, the fear of being reported may keep many pregnant mothers from seeking help as well.

Despite its good intentions, however, bills that criminali

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Approximate Word count = 635
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science

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