Prenatal Drug Exposure Counselling Treatments Prenatal Drug Exposure Prenatal drug and or alcohol exposure can cause permanent damage to a foetus (unborn child). What is Prenatal Drug Exposure? When a woman takes drugs or drinks alcohol during pregnancy, changes can occur in the body and brain of her baby causing long-term effects.Drugs that may affect a foetus during development can be illegal or prescription medications, including:• Alcohol• Cocaine• Heroin• Inhalants• Nicotine (cigarettes) What are the signs and symptoms of Prenatal Drug Exposure? Babies born after prenatal drug exposure may have a variety of symptoms, including: • Brain damage• Balance problems• Behavioural problems• Cognitive delays• Congenital syndromes• Difficulty sleeping• Feeding problems• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)• Irritability• Language delays• Learning disabilities• Low birth weight• Premature birth• Tremors from withdraw