Using alcohol during pregnancy will have lasting affects on your baby. Adult bodies can better process alcohol than the bodies of smaller babies, especially those still forming inside the mother’s body. There are many birth defects that can result from using alcohol when pregnant. It can also result in miscarriage or a stillborn baby.
There are no safe limits of alcohol when pregnant, so it is advised to avoid alcohol in all amounts for the health of the baby. The effects of alcohol consumption while pregnant can include low birth weight, heart, brain and other organ defects, vision and hearing problems, and learning disabilities. It can also lead to being born prematurely. There is often sleeping problems, speech and language delays, and behavioral problems. The most serious is fetal alcohol syndrome, also known as FAS.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is characterized by physical and mental birth defects. It commonly affects the heart, liver, and kidneys and causes facial deformities and growth defects. In severe cases babies are mentally impaired and have a very low IQ. On average, as many as 40,000 babies a year are born with some defect caused by alcohol consumption while pregnant. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% preventable by not drinking while pregnant.
Remember that the alcohol in your bloodstream is also in your baby’s bloodstream. Alcohol is quickly absorbed by the placenta and passed to the baby through the umbilical cord. Everything you eat and drink will be passed along to your baby.
If refraining from alcohol use while pregnant may be a problem, there is hope. It is a good idea to avoid situations where alcohol is present and being consumed by others. The father can also show support by refraining from alcohol during your pregnancy. You can also request your friends and family help you to avoid these situations so it is easier to avoid the temptation to drink. Having a strong support system can be very helpful during your pregnancy and offer encouragement to you at this special time. There are also alcohol treatment programs for those who are having a difficult time staying sober while pregnant. Do not be ashamed if you need to ask for help.
Sometimes women drink alcohol without realizing they are pregnant. It is recommended that you should avoid alcohol consumption if you are trying to conceive or think you could possibly be pregnant. Many of the pregnancies in the United States aren’t planned. There is no safe time to drink during your pregnancy. Birth defects from alcohol can be avoided by simply not drinking alcohol during your pregnancy.
New Directions for Women offers treatment to women at any trimester of their pregnancy. No child has to suffer. No mother has to struggle alone. Contact us today, if you or someone you know is struggling to choose recovery during their pregnancy. Call us today and one of our caring Admissions Counselors will be happy to answer any of your questions.
