The alcohol also travels through the blood stream going directly to the baby"s brain, and this can damage the central nervous system. The common, severe, and hazardous side effect that happens to the fetus because of alcohol is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This is a very serious side effect that has lasting and sometimes devastating effects on the child.

             Women that take drugs during their pregnancy can severely harm and endanger the fetus within them. These harmful drugs include cannabis, cocaine, heroine, and speed. Drugs can cause a variety of adverse affects on the fetus. These effects include lower birth weights, inadequate fetal growth, depression of the central nervous system, and possible impairment of fetal brain development. Lots of these drugs increase the pregnant women"s heart rate and blood pressure, which decreases the amount of blood the mother gives to her fetus. Therefore the baby doesn"t get lots of blood, and more importantly the oxygen in the blood. Some drugs like heroin can even cause the fetus to be addicted to the drug, and when the baby is born it will needed to be treated for withdrawal.

             Pregnant women should as well be aware of the medicines and medicinal drugs that they take during their pregnancy. .

             One type of medicine that pregnant woman should avoid is Benzodiazepines, which are anti anxiety medication. Benzodiazepines rapidly cross the placenta barrier and enter the fetal circulation. Blood levels in the fetus equal that of the mother"s within one hour of taking the Benzodiazepine pill. Some Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression, hypotonia, lethargy, and poor feeding. .

             Pregnant women should not take aspirin while they are still pregnant. If you take lots of aspirin while your pregnant, it could cause a severe hemorrhage in the baby. Doctors recommend that pregnant women should take acetaminophen instead. .

             It is extremely important that pregnant women eat proper foods with essential nutrients and a well balanced diet.