PAST DRUG USE SHOULDN'T CAUSE PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY

DR. WALLACE: I'm 20, a high school graduate, and have a good job
working for an insurance company. I'm seeing a very special guy and we
have been talking about getting married on my 21st birthday in July. I
love this guy and I know that he is in love with me. He is the best
thing that ever happened to me. He works for the same company as a
claim's adjuster.

A few years ago I was dating a guy I thought I loved even though he
was heavily into drugs. Foolishly, I allowed him to talk me into
trying marijuana and cocaine but luckily, we broke up before I became
dependent and I've never done drugs since. I used more marijuana than
cocaine, but I did "coke" at least a dozen times. I know that drugs
can have a negative effect on unborn babies. If I do get married and
become a mother, will my prior drug use have an effect on the baby? -
Nameless, Portland, Maine.

NAMELESS: Your chances of having a baby with a birth defect because of
your former drug habit are negligible.

Problems occur when the mother abuses drugs while she is pregnant and
the drug actually enters the fetus. Still, it would be a good idea for
you to get a complete physical examination from your family doctor
soon. It will put your mind at ease.