Pregnant Ind. smokers ranked #7 in U.S.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A new study by Indiana University researchers suggests that pregnant Indiana women have one of the nation's highest rates of alcohol, tobacco and drug use.

The study found that Indiana ranks seventh in the nation among women who smoke during pregnancy, and that nearly 18,000 Hoosier babies are born each year to mothers who smoke.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free KIDS' report estimates that 10% of pregnant women in Indiana drink alcohol and 5% use illegal drugs. That means nearly 15,000 Hoosier babies are born each year affected by drugs or alcohol.

A training DVD for health care providers developed by the Indiana Perinatal Network aims to help identify pregnant women who use one or more of these harmful substances in a bid to protect their developing fetuses from harmful effects of those substances.