Drugs can pass through the placenta to the developing baby and may affect their health and development. Pregnant people should talk to their health care provider about any medicine, vitamin and mineral supplements or other drugs they are taking. During pregnancy, the placenta and umbilical cord connect a woman to the baby.
Developing babies who’ve been exposed to other drugs such as fentanyl, ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin are at risk for problems like:
- birth defects
- the placenta separating from the uterus before birth
- preterm birth
- low birth weight