Risks of Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
Mothers who consume
alcohol during pregnancy or nursing expose their baby to various health risks.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a range of disorders from fetal
alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal
alcohol syndrome is a serious condition which causes mental retardation and
physical birth defects. Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome have abnormal
features, growth retardation, and mental disabilities.
Facial
abnormalities are likely to happen between the tenth and twentieth weeks of
pregnancy and small eye openings, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum are
some of these facial abnormalities. Fetal alcohol syndrome can also cause
damage to the central nervous system and to the brain.
Children who are
born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders generally do not show the abnormal
facial features like with fetal alcohol syndrome. Children who show some of the
development issues of fetal alcohol syndrome are recognized as experiencing
fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Pregnant women who
drank alcohol during pregnancy are exposed to an increased risk of preterm
births, according to a recent study of over 3,000 pregnant women. Many women
are asking if there is a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
But in fact, no dose is safe, so the best thing is to not consume alcohol at
all during your pregnancy. Moreover, a study published in Alcoholism: Clinical
& Experimental Research has shown that light to moderate alcohol
consumption during the second or third trimester can cause IQ drops in children
of between two and seven points. FAS and FASD birth defects and all the
possible risks that can happen due to the pregnant women
consumption of
alcohol can be prevented if a woman stops drinking alcohol. Any woman who is
trying to convince should not drink alcohol. And if you suddenly find yourself
pregnant with any advanced planning, you should immediately stop drinking
alcohol. A quick look at the chart of illnesses associated with Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome should be enough for any responsible expectant mother to stop drinking
any alcohol beverages during the nine months of her pregnancy.
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