Although most people know that drugs and pregnancy really shouldn’t mix, that doesn’t mean all potential mamas-to-be are abstaining from drug use before they’re actually carrying a child. That said, drug use has serious consequences if you’re trying to conceive.

Not everyone says no

Drug use during pregnancy is probably more common than you think. A 2013 survey found that almost 5% of pregnant women admitted to using drugs within the preceding 30 days. What's more, 19% of pregnant women screened in New Orleans in 2005 tested positive for drug use.

In a Glow survey of over 12,000 women who are actively trying to conceive, over 15% said that they use drugs, either consistently or occasionally. 8.9% of women who responded said they only used marijuana, which is now legal for recreational use in certain states.

However studies have show that marijuana can have a debilitating effect on fertility for both men and women—bad news for the 44 million people who smoke it in the U.S.! For women, it is believed that marijuana affects ovulation, though there hasn’t been enough research to say for sure. Cannabis use can affect men, too, by altering testosterone levels and lowering sperm count. However, certain studies show that male reproductive effects tend to reverse fairly quickly once a man stops using marijuana.

Other types of drugs, like cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines like ecstasy also have negative effects on both fertility and pregnancy. Obviously, doing illegal drugs of any kind isn’t great for your body, but it is actively harmful to the development of a future baby.

As you decide you’d like to start trying for a baby, we advise that you stop doing drugs. At the very latest, you should stop as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Not only will this increase your chances of conceiving, but it will decrease your chances of having a miscarriage or pregnancy complication after you are pregnant. 

Learn which drugs are safe for pregnancy

Illegal drugs are not the only drugs that can affect your fertility. If you are on any type of medication—be it for depression or anxiety or any other illness—you should discuss it with your doctor. Tell her that you are trying to conceive and ask if it is okay to keep taking whatever you are taking, or if you should switch to a different medication that is safer for pregnancy.