teratogens and other hazards and their threats to prenatal d

teratogens and other hazards and their threats to prenatal development, should we in America prosecute mothers who willingly take or expose their developing fetuses to these environmental hazards, drugs and/or alcohol?

Solution

During pregnancy several chemicals (teratogens), drugs and alcohol have detrimental effects on the developing fetus. Pregnant women abusing cigarettes, alcohol and drugs may have several complicated medical conditions. Healthy pregnancy requires absolutely no smoking. The centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) reported that smoking causes illness and death of pregnant mothers and infants. Smoking women may have late conception and can also become infertile.

Smoking women may experience complications like premature rupture of membranes, early separation of placenta from uterus and blockage of cervix by placenta. Premature deliveries reported are 30% more in smoking women when compared to nonsmokers.

Alcohol abuse is detrimental for both the mother and developing fetus. Excess alcohol consumption during pregnancy results in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) that causes growth retardation, facial malformation and dysfunction of central nervous system including mental retardation. Excess alcohol consumption affects the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. This may affect the developmental central nervous system.

Drug abuse adversely affects the fetal development. No medication is advised during pregnancy unless suggested by clinician. Illicit drug use such as cocaine causes distress in fetus, impaired fetal growth and low birth weight. The consequences of drug abuse may be severe and even can damage brain and nervous system of fetus resulting in birth defects. Mother’s smoking marijuana deliver sicker babies who are at high risk of still births. Drug use may cause disruption of normal development, mental development and learning disabilities. Therefore, pregnant women are restricted to use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

When pregnant woman knows the adverse effects caused by teratogens, smoking and alcohol consumption and willingly consume or get expose them inspite of knowing the bad effects caused by them, such woman are essentially prosecuted. This is to encourage the healthy future generations in the society inturn to help the nation to be healthy.