Protecting the Health of Unborn Babies

Introduction

An unborn fetus receives all its nutrition from its mother. Anything harmful she puts in her body is also passed along to the unborn child. This is why it is so important for a pregnant female to take care of her body. On the Web site below, you will learn about how using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy can affect a child before and after he/she is born.

Link to explore: University of Michigan Health System

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/wha/wha_drugs_crs.htm

• Start at the " University of Michigan Health System " Web site.
• Read through the page, taking notes as you go.
• When you are done, answer the questions below.
• Finally, using the information from the link, write a short piece stating your opinion about using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Be sure to use facts from your reading to support your position. Send this opinion piece to your local newspaper, or ask that it be printed in your school's newsletter.

1			How do drugs taken by a pregnant female enter her unborn baby's blood system?
2			If a pregnant female takes street drugs, what are four ways they can harm her unborn baby?
3			What problems can occur if a pregnant female takes sulfa drugs near the end of her pregnancy?
4			How does Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) affect a baby?
5			Which risks increase if a female smokes during pregnancy?