How Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs Affect You and Your Baby — AIPM HealthyLife®

A close-up shot of a pregnant woman's midsection with red prohibition symbols superimposed over her hands holding a drink and a cigarette.

How Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs Affect You and Your Baby

May 22, 2026

Online Clinic

Women's Health

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

When you smoke, drink, or take drugs, your baby does, too! Smoking, drinking, and/or taking drugs can increase your risk for problems. Your baby is at more risk for problems, too.

Pregnant women who smoke have more chances for these problems:	Babies born to pregnant women who smoke have more chances for these problems:
Vaginal bleeding Ectopic pregnancy Miscarriage or stillbirth Preterm birth	Low birth weight Crib death Less able to fight infections, like colds, after being born Some may learn more slowly when they go to school

Description

The pregnant woman who takes drugs has more chances for these problems:	Babies born to mothers who take drugs are at risk for these problems:
From cocaine (also called “crack”): Early miscarriage High blood pressure Heavy bleeding late in pregnancy Sudden death, heart attack, or stroke If the mother shares needles with other drug users, she also is at more risk for Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.	From cocaine (also called “crack”): Low birth weight Slow growth Tend to have smaller than normal heads and brains May have brain injury Crib death Body defects Learning problems Behavior problems
From heroin and other narcotics: Preterm birth Stillbirth If the mother shares needles with other drug users, she is at more risk for Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS as well.	From heroin and other narcotics: Low birth weight Slow growth Addicted to the drug when born Trouble thinking and learning Behavior problems
From marijuana (also called “pot” or “grass”): Changes in mood and sense of reality Preterm birth	From marijuana (also called “pot” or “grass”): Low birth weight May have behavior problems