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cloud9doula an epidural is nothing like crack, no epidural has ever made a baby mentally retarded or physically. everyone does not want a NATURAl BIRTH, i know thats ur job but some of us want comfort while in delivery. u don't have to go through pain to experience a delivery.. and how many people after giving birth are on street corners looking for epidurals.

Karen-Cocaine use during pregnancy can affect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in many ways. During the early months of pregnancy, it may increase the risk of miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it can trigger preterm labor (labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or cause the baby to grow poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely than unexposed babies to be born with low birthweight (less than 5½ pounds). Low-birthweight babies are 20 times more likely to die in their first month of life than normal-weight babies, and face an increased risk of lifelong disabilities such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Cocaine-exposed babies also tend to have smaller heads, which generally reflect smaller brains. Some studies suggest that cocaine-exposed babies are at increased risk of birth defects, including urinary-tract defects and, possibly, heart defects. Cocaine also may cause an unborn baby to have a stroke, which can result in irreversible brain damage or a heart attack, and sometimes death. Scientists are now finding that exposure to cocaine during fetal development may lead to subtle, yet significant, later deficits in some children, including deficits in some aspects of cognitive performance, information-processing, and attention to tasks—abilities that are important for success in school(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_baby) But it is also important to note that the longer you are on crack the more the baby becomes addicted to it aswell....you would have to talk to a doctor before cutting it out completely (depending on when you stop) because quitting cold turkey could have serious affects on the baby aswell. Talk to your doctor!

I would like to say, I started an account on this site because I saw this thread. It's an old thread but it still comes up in the google results for 4 months pregnant smoking crack. So for anyone who's come across this site, because obviously the OP's made her decisions at this point. I would like to tell you a bit of something. I have a three year old daughter. She's smart. Like not the typical "0H MY CHILD'S AMAZING" smart, the "everyone she meets thinks she's smart and cute and she has a way with people to the point random people I hardly know buy her things." She can count and do ABC's and all that jazz, she not only meets her goals, she exceeds them. I am a white female, lower income. I smoked crack for 2 years before becoming pregnant with her, and then 4 months into my pregnancy. Yes it's horrible messed up thing to do, I was not the person I am now. I've been clean since I was 4 months pregnant and as I said she's three so 4 years clean in April, just not looking for anyone to flame out on me but I think this needs to be said. If you are addicted and pregnant and you want to keep your child, you want to change your life and your childs life and you think this can be the thing that saves you, don't abort because it's so many months in and you're still using and scared of how your child will come out. Just GET CLEAN. Get help. There's a way someplace walk to a gas station and beg every person you see if they know a place an addicted pregnant woman can get help getting clean and if they call the cops well hey there you go. It is not illegal to be addicted. It is not illegal to have the drugs in your system while pregnant, it is illegal to have you child have the drugs in their system when they are born and CPS will not let you keep your child if they test positive. BUT if you are in some sort of support group, if you are trying for your child you will at least have a fighting chance. For example opiates you may not be able to quit, but if you are in a methadone treatment program or something it shows you are truly trying, ya you're still going to be in the department of children services books and probably will have a social worker and stuff, you may be able to keep your child even though you are techincally now clean. BUT ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU'RE GOING TO ONLY HARM THIS CHILD WITH A LIFE SURROUNDED BY DRUGS AND ADDICTION FIND A FAMILY MEMBER OR AN ADOPTION AGENCY OR SOMETHING DON'T PUT YOUR KID IN DANGER TO GET YOUR FIX. If you want your child it is NEVER too late to fight for them by ultimately fighting for yourself.

I smoked about $50 a day on average 5 days a week throughout my pregnancy. I went to all my prenatal drs appointments and took vitamins, had no issues during pregnancy. I did not disclose to my obgyn of my drug use and they obviously saw no signs physically that I smoked and I gave birth to a baby girl 2 days after my due date so she was full term and a healthy weight. She was 7lbs and 5oz and was 23inches long. She scored in normal range on the apgar tests that are given to newborns, she didn't have any signs of cocaine withdrawal, she didn't cry more than normal and in my drs eyes she was a healthy newborn. After 2 days me and the baby were released and nobody knew I was a crack user and 16 years later my daughter is wonderful. She has always been a straight a student, she is musically talented, has never had any learning problems or behavioral issues. She has been healthy a her life except for minor colds as all kids get but I'm very thankful my child turned out OK. There is great info out there that discusses the term crack baby and all the studies of crack babies show that the majority turned out healthy in all aspects not like they thought they would, in fact drinking alcohol during pregnancy has proven to be worse than someone who smokes crack, its not the cocaine itself that harms the baby its the fact that a lot of women don't seek prenatal care or eat healthy during pregnancy. I still don't think I'm addicted to crack, I still smoke it recreationally and don't feel the need to get more when I'm done smoking it. My child still isn't suffering because I keep it secret and nobody knows I even smoke because I don't look like the "crack head" society see's and because I can pay all the bills and my home is clean and organize nobody ever felt the need to call cps that's my story but I am greatful, doesn't mean everyone who smokes crack will have a healthy baby but to say don't smoke it while pregnant would make me a hypocrite, but I wouldn't say its OK either.

I smoked crack throughout my pregnancy and went to all my prenatal Dr appts and took my vitamins and I gave birth 2 days after my due date to a healthy baby, my obgyn and all the nurses at hospital had no clue I smoked crack because my baby showed no signs of cocaine withdrawal and I didn't look like a crack head I guess so I was released after 2 days with my baby and she has never had any health problems or any learning issues. Straight a student that is tall and beautiful. I am thankful she is normal but women who smoke crack during pregnancy usually have sick or deformed babies due not so much to the crack itself but because they font take care of themselves eating wise or prenatal care so they don't gain healthy weight and smoke it nonstop. I only smoke on average 5 days a week and spent $50 so I did it in moderation 

Dear MOM1975...... Hi hun, did u smoke it everyday? im 21 weeks now and i was doing it about 3 times a week up untill 2 weeks ago, i only found i was pregnant 2 weeks ago. i have stopped smoking it now as im so worried. im glad ive stopped cos i really wanted to but never had a good enough reason to stop, its really hasnt bothered me stopping. ive moved over 50 miles away, changed my number and im really at the point where i dont even want it, drugs have ruined my life and sick of the money i wasted on it. im not the typical stereotype, i work fulltime and take care of myself and have respect, . i really hope my little one in there is ok in there and i have another 19 weeks to detox and be heathy. when i went to my scan they said her head measured at 20 weeks pregnant so she is measuring a week behind, but they said its cos im a late booker and didnt have the 12 week scan. so they have booked me in for a growth scan just to double check, i feel awaful i really do.  I hope i have time to make  things right. xx