When pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, they incur an increased risk for experiencing health problems themselves and poor birth outcomes for their infants. It is important for doctors, nurses, and midwives to discuss the risks of substance use with all pregnant women. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicate that substance use during pregnancy varies by race and ethnicity and suggest that health care providers may consider delivering targeted messages to make their discussions more effective.
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