subject: Alcoholism During Pregnancy: Knowing The Facts [print this page] Did you know that alcohol dependency pose serious risk to the baby inside a mother's womb? If you don't know yet, then you must read through to get facts on alcohol addiction and rehab centers for alcohol.
Overview
Alcohol drinking during pregnancy is now common in the society, notwithstanding its fetal risks. Drinking alcohol causes damaging effects on the growing, developing fetus within the womb and lead to complication. Drinking at any stage of pregnancy also has adverse effects which often lead to birth flaws. And despite the warning by professionals on rehabilitation program, expectant mothers continue drinking alcohol.
Transmission of Alcoholic Drinks to the Fetus
As the pregnant woman consumes alcohol, the substance passes the placenta down to the growing fetus. The alcohol passes the membrane between the inner spaces of the placenta where expectant mothers and fetal blood vessels rest. This membrane serves as the passage of all nutrients as well as waste products used by the mother, thus affecting the fetus inside her womb.
Adverse Outcomes of Alcoholism
Survey shows that the rates of miscarriage nearly double in those expecting mothers who consume alcohol. Alcohol was found to be the cause of cerebral palsy and mental retardation among children. It is responsible for fetal alcohol syndrome or FAS that is recognized by the children's facial features and central nervous system or CNS abnormalities such as attention deficit disorders, abnormal brain structure and learning disabilities. Children with CNS abnormalities also have diseases or defects in their organs including their eyes, liver, bones, and heart. These flaws occur during the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Binge drinking or alcohol consumption over five drinks in one week during pregnancy's first 16 weeks increases the threat of stillbirth by at least 56 percent.
Maternal Threats and Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
Medical professionals on pregnancy advise that women who consume alcohol during their pregnancy are more likely to have high risk of placental abruption. They explain that placental abruption can lead to hemorrhage of both the fetus and the pregnant woman and even to death. Alcohol dependency can also be the cause of premature delivery, which puts newly born infant at risk for severe complications such as respiratory troubles, cerebral palsy, and even death.
Risk-free Alcohol Use Limits
There are no risk-free levels for the intake of alcohol during pregnancy, although women who consume over seven drinks in a week or those who go excessive drinking are vulnerable to FAS. Many clinical studies reveal the association of alcohol use during pregnancy with behavioral and physical abnormalities even just one drink every week. This merely implies that alcohol, either in small or large amount, causes maternal and fetal medical problems.
With the above information on the effect of alcohol abuse on mothers and the fetus as well, pregnant women withalcohol addiction need to be cured in a rehab center. This will not only save the mother's life, but the life inside her too.
