Cocaine increases the heart rate in both the mother and baby and the supply of oxygen and blood to the baby is reduced. Because of the reduced supply the baby is more likely to be small and grow slowly. Several cases of bleeding in the brain have been reported in babies whose mothers were dependent on cocaine. A number of foetal abnormalities have been reported concerning the use of cocaine during pregnancy. If cocaine is used close to the birth the baby may be born excessively active and appear distressed and restless.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur in the babies of mothers who use cocaine regularly.
These symptoms appear similar to those of adults experiencing withdrawal and can include sleepiness and lack of responsiveness. What You Can Do Try to stop using cocaine early in your pregnancy. If you find it difficult to stop using cocaine talk to your doctor, midwife, alcohol and drug counselling agency, or the Chemical Dependency Unit at the Royal Women's Hospital. It is likely that cocaine will reach the baby through breast milk. This will depend on the amount you have taken and whether it was around the time of feeding.