Are There Any Side Effects For Using Cocaine In Pregnancy Time? – Best Points To Know About Them

Wondering if there are any side effects of using cocaine during your pregnancy time? Then read this article to find out more information on it.

Cocaine is a very powerful drug and a stimulant with a very high potential of abuse. Although pharmaceutical cocaine still continues to be used as a vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic, most of its use of it takes place illegally. Stimulants like these may be used to boost a person’s self-esteem and produce a sense of exhilaration. 

Some people commit substance abuse using this drug to boost their physical and mental performance and also for some it may help in stopping appetite.

Prohibited sources of cocaine are often fronted in the form of fine white powder. Street drug dealers often mix them with harmful-to-ingest substances such as amphetamine or talcum powder.

Cocaine can be used by injecting, snorting,  or smoking, among other methods.

How Does It Affect The Body?

When someone consumes cocaine it takes a bit of time for the effects to fully kick in and the level of effects depends upon the way of ingestion.

Since cocaine is delivered to the brain quickly via injection and smoking, these methods produce the quickest high.

The high from injecting or inhaling cocaine, however, also means that it wears off more faster. For instance, compared to the 5- to 10-minute duration of the high from smoking cocaine, the typical duration of the high from snorting it is 15 to 20 minutes.

The subjective effects of cocaine are frequently described as improving vigor, alertness and decreasing weariness. Cocaine`s subjective stimulant effects and behavior-reinforcing properties are caused by a rise in the activity of many neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine, a brain-signaling chemical frequently linked to feelings of joy and movement.

As dopamine is reabsorbed into the cells of the body, these pleasurable sensations eventually go away. 

As a result of stopping this reabsorption, cocaine increases the amount of dopamine that remains outside of cells for longer periods of time, which contributes to the euphoric high that comes from using it.

Bonus: How long does cocaine stay in your system blood test? 

To answer that question, after last use, cocaine or its metabolites often persist for months to years in hair samples, up to 3 days in urine samples, and up to 2 days in blood samples. 

A heavy user may show up positive for up to two weeks on a urine test.

Dangers Of Using Cocaine While Being Pregnant

Cocaine usage while pregnant has the potential to be damaging to both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Some of these problems have the capacity to be fatal.

The fact that cocaine can readily cross the placenta and enter the body of the developing fetus is a major factor in its harmful effects on the unborn child`s development of the central nervous system as well as the prevention of normal blood flow to the child`s brain.

Here are a few dangers that consuming cocaine poses for your pregnancy:

1. Placental Abruption

A very dangerous risk of consuming cocaine while pregnant is placental abruption. This could result in a mother and her child dying if medical help is not sought out right away.

The placenta typically develops on the upper portion of a woman`s uterus and stays there until the baby is delivered. When the placenta separates from the uterus too soon, placental absorption takes place, which results in excessive bleeding for the mother and a reduction in the amount of oxygen and nutrients accessible to the baby.

Mild placental abruption may not present with many symptoms, and hospital monitoring may be necessary until the bleeding ceases. A moderate or severe abruption, however, might cause serious vaginal hemorrhage, infant growth issues, premature birth, and stillbirth.

A hysterectomy may be necessary for the lady if the bleeding is uncontrollable.

Read Also: Reggie Weeed

1. Premature Birth

Cocaine usage during pregnancy greatly raises the chance of premature birth, also known as an early birth (before 37 weeks).

Preterm infants may be more susceptible to significant health issues. They may develop cognitive impairments after birth in addition to heart, sight, and other organ disorders.

They may be more susceptible to intellectual or developmental impairments later in life.

1. Miscarriage

Cocaine usage can raise a woman`s risk of miscarrying, which means the baby will die before 20 weeks of pregnancy. One study claims that using cocaine while pregnant increases the risk of miscarriage by 40%. 

The quantity of cocaine a lady uses typically determines this. However, it is still possible for a woman to conceive normally in the future even if she miscarries due to cocaine use, the use of other drugs, or natural causes.

1. Low Birth Weight

Another major risk of using cocaine while pregnant is low birth weight (less than 5 lbs. 8 oz.). 

While some infants with low birth weights may be healthy, others may experience illnesses like eating disorders, persistent infections, and trouble gaining weight that may call for medical attention.

Bonus: What are methotrexate side effects?

It is a very high-risk medication and has the following side effects – bloody vomit, increased heartbeat, stomach pain, blood in the stools or urine, and much more.

To Wrap It Up!

It`s crucial to educate yourself on the dangers of cocaine usage while pregnant in order to make the best choices for yourself, your unborn child, or a loved one.

Thank you for reading up till here! I hope you find the information useful. Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on the same.