"You feel the baby kick when you put the needle in," said
Farrell, 29, a waitress who injected the illegal drug up to five times a day
through the seventh month of her pregnancy. "You're aware you are doing
something harmful, but you don't care."
Even before birth, Meth can threaten a child's
wellbeing. 
Meth
use during pregnancy can reduce blood flow to the fetal brain, cause the
placenta to pull away from the uterine wall, retard the growth of the child.
It increases the incidence of birth defects and miscarriages. Some babies
suffer brain hemorrhages - strokes - before birth.
Meth
affected babies, even if they are full-term, act like premature infants.
They experience difficulty sucking and swallowing, sensitivity to touch, shaking
or tremors, and often demonstrate abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability.
These
children often continue to have physical, emotional and mental difficulties as
they grow.
See
Also: Appellate Court Reverses Meth
Mom’s Murder Conviction
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