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"You
feel the baby kick when you put the needle in," said Farrell, 29, a
waitress who injected the illegal drug up to five times a day through the
seventh month of her pregnancy. "You're aware you are doing something
harmful, but you don't care."
Even before birth, Meth can threaten a
child's well-being.
 Meth
use during pregnancy can reduce blood flow to the fetal brain, cause the
placenta to pull away from the uterine wall, retard the growth of the
child. It increases the incidence of birth defects and miscarriages.
Some babies suffer brain hemorrhages - strokes - before birth.
Meth affected babies, even if they are full-term, act like premature
infants. They experience difficulty sucking and swallowing, sensitivity
to touch, shaking or tremors, and often demonstrate abnormal reflexes and
extreme irritability.
These children often continue to have physical, emotional and mental
difficulties as they grow.
Learn more about:
Abuse-Neglect
Living Conditions
Social Problems |
