QuestionCan my daughter's boyfriends second hand marijuana smoke have a direct effect on my daughter's unborn child? If so can you please let me know what so I can stress to her the importance of not being around it.
AnswerMary: Absolutely! This is NOT my area of expertise but I will attempt to answer your question, anyway.
I was studying for an exam in Human Development last night and will quote to you the following from my textbook (note that the word, "teratogen," refers to an agent that causes abnormal prenatal development):
"Cigarette smoking is typical of of the potential harm from teratogenic drugs. The nicotine in cigarette smoke constricts blood vessels and thus reduces the oxygen and nutrients that can reach the fetus over the placenta. Therefore, pregnant women who smoke are more likely to miscarry (abort the feus spontaneously) and to bear children who are smaller than average at birth. And, as children develop, they are more likely to show signs of impaired attention, language, and cognitive skills, along with behavioral problems. FINALLY, EVEN SECONDHAND SMOKE HARMS THE FETUS: when pregnant women don't smoke but fathers do, babies tend to be smaller at birth. The message is clear and simple: pregnant women shouldn't smoke and they sould avoid others who do."
Also on that page is a chart listing teratogenic drugs and their consequences; marijuana is listed among them -- and the consequences: Lower birth weight and less motor control.
Hope this helps; best of luck to you, your daughter, and your grandchild.
Warm regards,
Catherine
