The Effects of Crack Cocaine on the Unborn Fetus

In recent decades, the use of crack cocaine by pregnant women has created an outcry from the general public and the medical community unlike no other. Crack cocaine is an illegal drug the effects of which are just now beginning to be understood, especially the effects of the usage on the unborn fetus. Medical problems seemingly insurmountable are present in the majority of babies born to women who used crack cocaine during pregnancy.

Crack cocaine is a solid, smokeless form for cocaine. This more potent form increases the effects of the drug on the user and is significantly more dangerous than regular cocaine usage. Users create solid "rocks" with the powder form of cocaine by mixing it with baking soda. The solid form gives the user a higher concentration of the drug during each usage, though the effects last only a few minutes. It releases a chemical called dopamine from the brain into the body causing the user to experience a burst of euphoria each time it is used. It is the most addicting forms of the drug. The user is not only prone to become psychologically addicted to the drug, but after just a short period of usage (as little as one time), the user experiences physical addiction to the drug as well. This heightens the dangers of using it while pregnant tremendously. Many users will mix just about anything with the powder cocaine to create the solid crack cocaine, making the intake of other toxic chemicals a serious hazard as well.

The effects of the single drug crack cocaine on the unborn fetus are hard to trace down, mostly due to the fact that many users of the drug also abuse other toxins as well. When a user "comes down" off crack cocaine high, even for a short time, the user experiences sudden withdrawal symptoms which they often treat by self medicating with other drugs such as marijuana, alcohol or other drugs. Also studies suggest that most crack cocaine users also smoke cigarettes and engage in other unhealthy practices.