Cocaine abuse during pregnancy is capable of affecting a pregnant woman and her fetus in numerous ways. During the initial months of pregnancy, cocaine possibly will increase the risk of miscarriage. Later stages in pregnancy, it might activate preterm labor or cause the baby to develop very poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely to born with low weight than unexposed babies to be born prematurely. Premature and low-birth weight babies are at high risk of serious health problems during the infant period, permanent disabilities such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy, and some times even death. Cocaine-exposed babies also are likely to have smaller heads, which usually are a sign of smaller brains and are at higher risk of learning troubles. Continue reading →