Issues concerning alcohol intake have never been tackled in a light manner. Obviously, when alcohol use is associated with pregnancy, a more serious tone is directed especially because two lives are now interspersed in one “thirsty” soul.

The problem of abusing alcohol is naturally confronted only by those people who drink such but pregnant mothers should also be wary of certain foods that might probably contain alcohol. A classic example is fruitcake.

Alcohol poses a threat because once a pregnant woman drinks it; the alcohol enters the bloodstream before finally crossing the placenta. Although the placenta has its barriers, one cannot afford taking the risk. Also, remember that the placenta is responsible for nurturing the baby. If alcohol has already penetrated the system especially during the first trimester, innumerous effects will have to be suffered by the fetus. The baby’s immature body will have difficulty trying to absorb the alcohol. Plus, even if the effects of the alcohol has dissipated with the mother; the baby still has it. The range of the effects is undeniably horrendous.

The most common feature of a baby whose mother either drank regularly, gulped excessively, took just a sip or involved in binge drinking sessions is a deformed face and body.  One must take note that the first trimester is considered to be crucial as well as vulnerable. This is because this is the stage where organs have to be developed. For one, the nervous system is formed during the first eight weeks. Correlating, the brain is susceptible to any changes during the 15^th to 25^th day. Rapid development follows on the third and sixth month. Therefore, malformation is inevitable when alcohol enters the body.

What will probably make things worse is when the pregnant woman, because of drinking alcohol will suffer miscarriage or even lose her child.

Alarmingly, a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is manifested in six percent of women drinkers. It might be a small number but a second look will tell you that it is not. Babies who suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome have low birth weight, small skulls and brains resulting in poor coordination, poor memory and learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems. Heart and other organ defects are always a possibility.  Their growths are arrested even before they are born and after they see the world. Medical articles published in 1973 could still be validated at this very moment. Fortunately, this kind of tragedy is entirely preventable.

A woman should openly discuss any problem that she sees with alcohol. The doctor, nurses as well as support groups will enable a woman to go through this very difficult stage. Also, it is worthy to note that some women who are sexually active and are in their reproductive ages are sometimes caught unaware of their condition. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy become very obvious during the final phase of the first trimester.

At the end of the day, what matters most is the motivation the pregnant woman should have to withstand the temptation brought about by alcohol. Resisting completely is never easy but thinking about the long term effects will definitely help. One’s discipline armored with the love and compassion for another human being is more than enough to abhor alcohol.

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