A brief introduction on TeratogenTeratogen
A teratogen refers to any agent that leads a fetus to develop abnormalities during pregnancy either through induction or increasing the possibility of a genetic malformation.
Doctors detect a teratogen after observing an increased dominance of a specific congenital disability.
In most cases, doctors use animal models to test whether an element is TeratogenTeratogen by administering consistent therapeutic medications on animals.
This detection presents a platform to prevent the exposure of expectant women during their critical stages of the fetus development hence able to avoid the occurrence of congenital distortions.
Mothers get exposed to teratogens in their working environments, home, through the drugs they take, among other places.
Teratogens affect both the mother and the baby, depending on the agent involved, the quantity and duration of exposure.
Teratogens are agents affecting the development of an embryo and, in turn, affect the formation of the baby in the long run. Medical practitioners can identify a teratogen after paying attention to the way several babies appear during birth after getting exposed to a specific agent, for example, a vaccine or a drug. Once doctors determine the Teratogen, they can avoid exposing more mothers to that type of medication hence reducing the number of possible affected babies.
Drugs as an Agent of Teratogen.
Generally, any drug used by a pregnant mother likely qualifies as a potential threat to the developing child, whether for medical purposes or as substance abuse.
Nearly all soluble lipid elements and drugs that dissolve in the water get into contact with the placenta.
According to statistics reports, smoking and alcohol consumption are the two significant causes of childhood disabilities and defects during birth.
The use of alcohol, cigarettes, and other non-medicinal drugs cause adverse effects on the baby. Congenital disabilities attributed to prenatal alcohol exposure happens during the first eight weeks of conception before a woman even is aware of the pregnancy.
It is, therefore, risky for women to engage themselves in the use of substance and drugs likely to cause harm to the child.
However, it is essential to note that the number of congenital abnormalities associated with drugs is less than 2%, although doctors’ advice expectant women to avoid taking the already implicated teratogenic drugs (Buhimschi & Weiner, 2009).
Pregnant women refrain from using any unnecessary medicines due to the uncertain effects of drugs on unborn children.
Every drug is capable of causing harm to a developing child, whether it is a medicine or is a substance such as alcohol. All soluble drugs get close to the placenta, where the formation of the embryo takes place, thus capable of putting the child in danger. Women should, therefore, avoid exposing their unborn children to unnecessary drugs since it is possible for a harmless drug to emerge as an agent of TeratogenTeratogen abruptly.
The route used by Drugs to reach the fetus
Drugs consumed by an expectant mother can get into contact with the fetus by passing through the placenta.
Schaefer (2011) notes that drugs can use the same passage that nutrients and oxygen use to access the fetus during its development to facilitate its growth.
A thin membrane present in the placenta is the only tissue that separates the blood of the mother in the intervillous space and that of the fetus in the villi, therefore, drugs present in the blood of the mother can cross the thin membrane into the fetus’s blood vessels through the umbilical cord connecting the mother and the child.
Drugs use the same route as the other components consumed by the mother, such as nutrients, vitamins, and oxygen, meant to enhance the growth and development of the child. Drugs access the unborn child through a thin membrane in the placenta that dissolves the drugs into the blood vessels of the fetus.
The extent of Drug Exposure likely to affect the fetus.
Several factors like drug strength, amount of dose, and the development stage of the fetus determine the effect of a drug on a developing child.
There exists limited information that determines the exact extent of drug exposure that is enough to cause harm to an unborn child as different children react to amounts of drugs differently.
However, it is necessary for pregnant women or those planning to conceive to take the required precautions aimed at minimizing the chances of exposing the fetus to drug effects as much as possible.
During the first week after fertilization is when a fetus is more susceptible to drug effects, and therefore women should avoid taking any drugs during such times.
Medical experts have not yet determined the enough amount of exposure to drugs needed to cause harm to an unborn child. This information is not available since different fetuses respond to drugs and medications differently. Women are, therefore, supposed to identify the most vulnerable stages that they are supposed to avoid taking drugs to ensure their children remain safe from the negative effects of drugs.
possible negative effects of drugs on the fetus,
Drugs consumed by an expectant mother results in several negative effects on the fetus.
One negative effect of drugs on the fetus is that drugs can affect the unborn child directly. Such effects, in turn, interfere with the development process of the child, therefore, causing birth defects and, in extreme situations, cause death (Sachdeva et al., 2009).
Drugs can also interfere with the usual work of the placenta, limiting the circulation of blood from the mother to the child.
A dysfunctional placenta means reduced blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, thus resulting in either an underdeveloped or an underweight child.
Besides, drugs can also force the uterus muscles to contract, which will harm the fetus indirectly by triggering early delivery and labor. Early labor strains the fetus, which might have difficulties adapting to the sudden change.
It is also possible for babies affected by drugs to develop mental problems as they are growing up.
Drugs can affect a fetus either directly or indirectly. The direct effect of drugs on a fetus includes distortions during the formation process, which leads to a child with birth defects and can even cause death. Drugs can also affect the placenta, which blocks the supply of blood to the baby, therefore, preventing the baby from accessing food and oxygen needed for it to grow and develop.
potential negative effects for the mother,
Drugs are also capable of affecting the mother since the fetus grows inside her womb. Therefore any problem with the baby translates as a problem to the mother.
According to (Sachdeva et al.,2009), One negative effect of drugs on mother is miscarriages and stillbirths, which causes lots of physical pain for the mother.
The mother is also likely to experience effects such as headaches and strain incase the fetus experiences problems such as the low supply of blood.
Giving birth to a child with deformities might have a psychological effect on the mother, especially in case the child happens to die.
A mother shares the issues of their developing fetus, whether during pregnancy or even after birth. It is possible to miscarry children or even give birth to premature children with deformities if exposed to drugs during pregnancy. Such an effect might affect a woman for a long time, both emotionally and psychologically.
ways expectant mothers might avoid the TeratogenTeratogen,
Expectant women should avoid taking drugs, by all means, necessary during pregnancy.
However, some situations force women to take drugs, for example, if they initially had a condition like asthma or following a doctor’s prescription on taking vitamins meant to improve the health of the baby.
When faced with such inevitable situations, pregnant women should adhere to the instructions of their doctor, and in case they experience a problem, they should visit their doctor for further advice and examinations.
It is difficult for pregnant women to avoid taking drugs completely during pregnancy because of situations like perhaps they get sick, need to boost their immunity among others. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to strictly follow the advice of their doctors when it comes to taking drugs.
References
Buhimschi, C. S., & Weiner, C. P. (2009). Medications in pregnancy and lactation: part 1. Teratology. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 113(1), 166-188.
Sachdeva, P., Patel, B. G., & Patel, B. K. (2009). Drug use in pregnancy; a point to ponder!. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 71(1), 1.
Schaefer, C. (2011). Drug safety in pregnancy: utopia or achievable prospect? Risk information, risk research, and advocacy in Teratology Information Services. Congenital anomalies, 51(1), 6-11.