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Pregnant/Postpartum Women and Their Infants: Prevention Materials September 1997

How To Take Care of Your Baby Before Birth
Organization: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Year: 1991
Format: Brochure
Length: 4 Pages
Topic: Substance Abuse and Prevention
Target Audience: Women
Language: English
Readability: Very Easy
Inventory Number: PH239
Availability: NCADI, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847-2345; 1-800-729-6686. (free)

This brochure, which was produced with the help of pregnant teenagers, advises women to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs while pregnant and to speak with a doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications. A brief listing of resources is also included.

This brochure encourages expectant mothers to take positive steps to ensure their baby's health. It explains why alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), how alcohol affects the unborn baby, how drinking is harmful, why cigarette smoking results in low birth weight babies, and why street drug use is risky. It also suggests ways to cope with stress and anxiety and provides a short list of resources for additional help.

This poster beautifully illustrates a pregnant woman holding her stomach. The viewer can see the fetus and the all-important umbilical cord. To the left of the woman are the words (in English and Spanish): "Any use of alcohol or other drugs may affect the health of your unborn baby."

This booklet discusses the dangers of mixing alcohol and sex. It explains how alcohol affects judgment and communication, and addresses the ways that alcohol plus sex can lead to trouble (such as HIV, other STDs, date rape, unplanned pregnancy, and emotional scars). The booklet advises abstaining from alcohol and sex to keep your love life safe. Instructions for proper condom use are also included.

This booklet describes why drug use during pregnancy is especially dangerous and what to do to stay healthy. It describes the effects that drugs have on the baby and why all types of drugs including "street," prescription, and over-the-counter are dangerous.

This booklet explains health risks associated with smoking during pregnancy. Some harmful substances cross the placenta into the developing baby's bloodstream and have a negative impact on the baby's growth and development in the uterus and beyond. Included are suggestions for quitting and for general good health practices.

This booklet urges pregnant women not to smoke. The dangers of smoking to the mother and the fetus are explained. There are some basic tips for smoking cessation.

This booklet explains the dangers of secondhand, or passive smoking, and the health risks it presents to nonsmokers. People with health problems, pregnant women, and young children are most vulnerable to the dangers of secondhand smoke. Smokers are urged to quit for their own health and the health of others around them.

This brochure describes the dangers involved with smoking during pregnancy. It answers the questions, "How can smoking harm the baby?" and "Will smoking always harm the baby?" The poster (on reverse) describes 10 ways to stop smoking. If the mother cannot stop, alternatives to cessation are suggested.

This brochure, presented in question and answer format, addresses the dangers of smoking while pregnant. Low birth weight, breastfeeding, secondhand smoke, and quitting smoking are among the topics covered.

This booklet explains the problems associated with using cocaine while pregnant, including risks to both the mother and infant. Consequences of use during and after pregnancy are outlined. Hotlines, treatment programs, and other options for help are offered.

This brochure describes fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and warns pregnant women about the dangers of drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy. It also provides information for future fathers and women who may have drinking problems.

This artistically striking brochure outlines healthy behaviors for expectant mothers. On behalf of a baby, it pleads, "Drinking or doing street drugs can hurt my body and my brain for the rest of my life." The poster on reverse illustrates a food pyramid and suggestions for a healthy diet.

AIDS & Babies explains the ways that the virus is contracted, how to avoid contracting AIDS, how to get tested, and what to do if your results are positive. It also discusses whether the baby can get it, and what to do if pregnant.

This video is about a high school student and the decisions she must make regarding her pregnancy. Mary smokes and drinks beer. Her mother, who is unsuccessful in dissuading her, asks an adult friend who is a nurse to help. She shows Mary babies born with disabilities because of the mother's use of various drugs. Mary realizes that her actions could mean life or death for her unborn baby.

The discussion guide provides background information about teen pregnancy and developmental disabilities resulting from maternal use of illegal and legal drugs. It includes a synopsis of the video, key points and objectives, general and video specific discussion starters, activities, glossary, and a list of resources.

The author tells the story of his adopted son Adam, who suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). When Adam was adopted in 1971, little was revealed about his past, except that his biological mother had died of alcohol poisoning. Findings about the genetic and cultural causes of FAS and the enormous scope of the problem parallel the father's efforts to solve his son's developing health and learning problems. In his efforts to find the source of Adam's problems, the author investigates the history of alcohol use among the Sioux.

These fact sheets outline statistics and current research about the connection between substance abuse and the specific topics. Sources are included.

This booklet is intended to help women understand how drinking or using drugs during pregnancy can affect their children. The author discusses the symptoms of drug exposure, how to deal with the damage that has occurred, and how to prevent problems in the future. Included is a brief chart outlining the effects of alcohol on the fetus during each trimester.

Using real-life stories, this videotape illustrates the dangers of substance abuse during pregnancy. The program aims to dispel myths and teach that the placenta is not an impenetrable barrier. The videotape uses a classroom-type forum, in which a narrator briefs students on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and damage caused by illegal drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and cigarettes. Interviews with mothers who used alcohol or drugs during pregnancy warn viewers of the potential dangers and discuss their children's problems. The accompanying teacher's guide contains 14 learning objectives for students, a summary of the program, review questions, additional activities for the classroom and at home, and a resource list.

Using the information included in this package, an instructor can provide a comprehensive overview of issues surrounding perinatal alcohol and drug use. Topics include: a historical survey of fetal alcohol research, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), clinical findings, identification of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy, and the primary provider's role in addictions therapy. Each chapter provides a list of teaching objectives.

This fact sheet provides a list of facts about fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Facts include: FAS occurs in 1 out of 750 births, FAS is the third leading cause of mental retardation in the United States, and other important information.