Using opioids during pregnancy can pose serious risks to both the mother and the unborn baby. Opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin, can lead to complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the baby. NAS occurs when a baby is exposed to opioids in the womb and experiences withdrawal symptoms after birth. 

Pregnant individuals who are using opioids should seek medical help as soon as possible to ensure the safety of both themselves and their baby. Healthcare providers may recommend medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs that involve the use of medications like methadone or buprenorphine to help manage opioid dependence during pregnancy. These programs are typically combined with counseling and support services to address the underlying issues of addiction. 

It’s crucial for pregnant individuals who are struggling with opioid use to be open and honest with their healthcare providers so they can receive appropriate care and support throughout their pregnancy. 

The effects of methamphetamine use on pregnancy and fetal development have been less well studied than those of opiates, alcohol, and cocaine. Available information indicates that methamphetamine use during pregnancy is consistently associated with a risk for premature birth and low birth weight. As is the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, particularly when used in early pregnancy. 

Methamphetamine use appears to be associated with neonatal and childhood neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This means methamphetamine crosses the placenta and affects the developing brain of the fetus. This can lead to long-term cognitive and behavioral issues for the child, including problems with attention, learning, and emotional regulation. 

Pregnant women who use methamphetamines are at higher risk of high blood pressure, certain infections, and other complications during pregnancy and delivery. They may also have poor nutrition which, especially if paired with inadequate prenatal care, may endanger both their own health and the health of the baby. 

Pregnant women struggling with methamphetamine use should seek immediate help from healthcare providers. Treatment may involve medical detoxification (under medical supervision), counseling, contingency management, support services, and possibly medication to address addiction and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. 

For mothers, cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to high blood pressure, seizures, and increased risk of placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the uterus wall prematurely), which can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby. 

Cocaine use during pregnancy also increases the risk of premature delivery. Babies born to mothers who use cocaine are often smaller than those born to non-users. Children exposed to cocaine during pregnancy may experience developmental delays, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties later in life. 

There is an increased risk of certain structural birth defects with cocaine use. However, the drug itself may or may not be a direct cause of these birth defects and many other factors may be involved.  

Newborns whose mothers use cocaine during pregnancy may experience a complication at birth called Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome which can be a medical emergency.