The effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy are many, and it is a serious issue because it results in permanent damage for the baby. When it comes to alcohol during pregnancy, there is no such thing as moderation, minimal amounts or excessive drinking. Alcohol during pregnancy has to be completely avoided to ensure the health of both mother and baby. Remember that whatever the woman consumes enters her bloodstream and is carried to the baby through the placenta.
Since it is unclear at what amount alcohol begins to affect the fetus,...
...it is better to totally abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The best time to stop alcohol drinking is three weeks before one tries to get pregnant. In case you are not aware of being pregnant, there are still risks as the fetus is in the initial stages of growth.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy interferes with consumption of nourishment by the baby as it blocks oxygen flow to the fetus; this, in turn, affects the normal cell growth in the brain and other organs. The fetus has very less tolerance towards alcohol, and therefore, consumption of alcohol will bring about adverse results on the baby, which could lead to permanent damage. It is quite apparent that when mothers consume large amounts of alcohol, the baby is born with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome); here, the baby has physical and mental defects that are severe. Similarly, even if mothers claim to lessen alcohol consumption during pregnancy, there are increased chances of neurobehavioral deficits and retardation in the intrauterine development.
The potential dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy can include low birth weight and size, deformed ribs and sternum, small head, facial abnormalities, bent, webbed or missing fingers or toes, drooping eyelids, sunken nasal bridge, thin upper lip, small jaw, organ deformities, and mental retardation, among many other problems. Moreover, babies born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy are very fussy, irritant and difficult to soothe. They grow with learning disabilities, as their attention span is shorter, and they have cognition problems. They could also be hyperactive and have trouble in hand, finger and body coordination. It is has been researched and found that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can alter the gene structure, bringing about mutation that cannot be reversed.
Given the above, consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is quite a serious issue. Further, the adverse effects are not limited to the baby; the mother may also experience difficulties during childbirth such as excessive bleeding. Drinking alcohol when pregnant can also be a cause for ectopic pregnancy and other complications. Finally, since there is no "safe amount" when it comes to drinking alcohol in during pregnancy, it is best to completely abstain from it when pregnant.
Read more articles from the During Pregnancy Category.
Games to play with your kids
Tackle Labor Anxieties
On Second Thoughts
Inspirations for Baby Room Decor