Many of us have our own opinions when it comes to answering the question, which asks if the use of lifestyle drugs should be made illegal during pregnancy. There are more facts pointing to the harm alcohol, nicotine and marijuana have to a baby, than those saying that it is okay.

The capillaries in the fully developed placenta are separated from the maternal blood by a thin membrane (thickness varies from 2-6um). The membrane consists of three layers: Wall of the Villus, a thin layer of connective tissue, and the endothelial lining of the foetal capillary. The surface area of the villus is increased due to the cells releasing micro-villi which contain mitochondria that supply energy for transport. The materials which pass from mother to foetus through the placental membrane consist of: oxygen, water, mineral salt, glucose, amino acids, proteins, lipids, vitamins, hormones and antibodies. Anti-biotics such as penicillin can luckily pass through the placental membrane, to fight the bacteria and viruses which can also get through. The feotus passes through to the mother carbon dioxide, water and urea, along with other waste products. These exchanges all take place by

Alcohol and Drugs during Pregnancy, [Online], available from Internet 2/11/03:

Some topics in this essay:
Placental Abrubtion, Alcohol Syndrome, Wall Villus, SIDS Smoking, , Pregnancy Online, Feeding Smoking, available internet 2/11/03, online available internet, internet 2/11/03, MBV Roberts, Syndrome Online, available internet, Drugs Online, online available, lifestyle drugs, harm baby, smoking cigarettes, smoking cigarettes pregnant, inside womb, pregnant women, placental membrane, pregnancy online, choice harm baby, pregnancy online available,