Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects
posted in Child Birth, Pregnancy |I know I’ve discussed Pregnancy and Alcohol before, but it’s important enough to discuss again.
I drive by a huge billboard every week reminding people about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which tells me that there are still people who apparently aren’t aware of the negative affects alcohol can have on a developing fetus. So in efforts to encourage pregnant women to stay “dry” and not drink alcohol, I asked a dear friend to share a little bit with us about what she recently learned.
We were having a conversation about her schooling and she was telling me about how she can easily recognize FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) now. I totally understood what she was talking about because I have seen it too. So here is what she has to share with us, I present to you, Julie Clemmer:
I’m currently a returning student working towards my degree in nursing and recenty learned about something called fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.
What’s the difference?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the results of alcohol on an unborn baby. It includes mental retardation, impairments to memory, language, attention, and motor coordination. There are physical abnormalities as well that makes these children stand out even into adulthood. Some of these abnormalities include short eyelid openings, eyes spaced far from each other, turned up nose, thin upper lip, and smaller head. There can also be noted defects in the ears, throat, heart, genitals, urinary tract, and immune system. The severity of the defects varies according the amount of alcohol consumed by the mother, and the time of pregnancy in which the baby was exposed.
But that’s just for pregnant mothers who abuse alcohol during pregnancy right?
Wrong!
Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) can display some of these same defects and abnormalities. Children born with FAE had mothers who still drank but drank less. This surprised me because even with this knowlege the doctors have today, I still hear of pregnant women who are told to drink a glass of wine every day to prevent premature labor. A glass of alcohol every day…so where does that leave the unborn child? With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects? Both are damaging, both leave long term, life long damage to your child so why take the chance?Additional Research
There is also research being done and it is believed that alcohol consumption of the father around the time of conception could actually alter gene expression and offer contribution to babies born with low birth weight, overactivity, heart defects, and other birth defects.
After learning about FAS and FAE, I began noticing people around me, babies, children, teens, and adults. I didn’t go out looking for them but there they were, with those exact physical characteristics. Of course I had pictures to study when I learned about this subject so I recommend doing a web search for yourselves.
I encourage readers to be responsible in planning your family and take this information into consideration. The decisions you make today could effect your child for the rest of their life and yours. It’s my opinion that there are no safe levels of alcohol when you are pregnant. And as the old saying goes, “when in doubt…don’t”.
I’d say that is very sound advice Julie, and thank you very much for sharing your learning experience with us. For additional information regarding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or Fetal Alcohol Effects check out: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Canadian guidelines for diagnosis
It’s only nine months for the rest of your baby’s life. If you need help to not drink alcohol, ask. It is well worth the effort to not have and alcohol while pregnant.
Take care and be well.
Sheilah 
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