This page describes harmful substances, called teratogens, which a woman should avoid during pregnancy. These include certain chemicals, medications, social drugs, alcohol, smoking, and infections.
Q. What are harmful chemicals that can be transferred from a mother to her developing fetus?
Tobacco, alcohol and drugs can have harmful effects on anyone’s health. When a pregnant or nursing woman uses these substances, her baby also is exposed to them, for all substances cross the placenta through the umbilical cord and enter into the baby’s bloodstream.
Table of Contents
- Q. What are harmful chemicals that can be transferred from a mother to her developing fetus?
- Q. What is the most common virus to be transmitted in utero?
- Q. Which term describes a substance that harms an embryo or fetus?
- Q. What are 3 examples of teratogens?
- Q. What is the most commonly used teratogen?
- Q. Can sleeping position cause miscarriage?
Q. What is the most common virus to be transmitted in utero?
CMV is the most common virus known to be transmitted in utero, affecting approximately 0.5%-1.5% of births. Approximately 40% of maternal CMV infections during pregnancy result in congenital infection.
Q. Which term describes a substance that harms an embryo or fetus?
Teratogens are substances that may produce physical or functional defects in the human embryo or fetus after the pregnant woman is exposed to the substance.
Q. What are 3 examples of teratogens?
Common teratogens include some medications, recreational drugs, tobacco products, chemicals, alcohol, certain infections, and in some cases, uncontrolled health problems in the birthing parent. Alcohol is a well-known teratogen that can cause harmful effects on the fetus after exposure at any time during pregnancy.
Q. What is the most commonly used teratogen?
Alcohol: One of the most commonly used teratogens is alcohol, and because half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it is recommended that women of child-bearing age take great caution against drinking alcohol when not using birth control or when pregnant (CDC, 2005).
Q. Can sleeping position cause miscarriage?
TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women are often told to sleep on their left side to reduce the risk of stillbirth, but new research suggests they can choose whatever position is most comfortable through most of the pregnancy.
