{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"From Nicotine to Ibogaine: How Substances Shape Pregnancy Outcomes: Episode #187","description":"In this episode of True Birth, we take on one of the most fraught subjects in pregnancy care: substance use. Their conversation goes beyond the obvious admonition that \u201cdrugs are bad in pregnancy\u201d to explore the nuance \u2014 what counts as a teratogen, which substances alter fetal development directly, and which compromise pregnancy through vascular, placental, or behavioral pathways. The discussion begins with tobacco, a substance that does not cause specific birth defects but exerts powerful vascular effects that restrict blood flow to the placenta, increasing the risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and ectopic pregnancy. From there, they move to alcohol, one of the few true teratogens, responsible for fetal alcohol syndrome and its enduring neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences. The conversation then widens to heroin and opioids, which do not deform fetal anatomy but devastate pregnancy outcomes through miscarriage, placental abruption, and neonatal withdrawal syndromes. Cocaine emerges as a particularly dangerous agent, not for teratogenicity but for its capacity to cause catastrophic circulatory collapse in both mother and fetus \u2014 strokes, abruptions, and even loss of fetal limbs due to infarcted placental tissue. The hosts also explore the gray areas: hallucinogens like LSD, stimulants such as ecstasy, and prescription amphetamines. They note the complexity of studying these substances, given the socioeconomic, dietary, and mental health confounders that often accompany their use. What makes this episode compelling is not just the catalog of risks but the larger question of how to think about exposure. Mallon and Abdelhak acknowledge the historical shifts \u2014 from a time when physicians condoned \u201ca few cigarettes a day\u201d to today\u2019s zero-tolerance policies \u2014 and they highlight emerging treatments for addiction, such as Ibogaine, which may offer new hope for patients but remain medically and legally unsettled. The episode\u2019s takeaway is clear: in pregnancy, no recreational substance is benign. Some, like alcohol, directly alter embryologic development; others, like nicotine and cocaine, impair the very systems that sustain pregnancy. The evidence is complex, but the principle is simple \u2014 abstaining is the only truly safe choice. Don\u2019t forget to like, comment, and subscribe\u2014your questions could be featured in our next episode! For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources: https:\/\/www.maternalresources.org\/. You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement: YouTube: Dive deeper into pregnancy tips and stories atyoutube.com\/maternalresources . Instagram: Follow us for daily inspiration and updates at @maternalresources . Facebook: Join our community at facebook.com\/IntegrativeOB Tiktok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok Grab Our Book! Check out The NatureBack Method for Birth\u2014your guide to a empowered pregnancy and delivery. Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com .   ","author_name":"True Birth","author_url":"http:\/\/truebirth.libsyn.com\/website","html":"