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Drinking For TwoBy Ned Wicker A drink or two is no big thing to most people, mainly because there is not likely to be any impairment and if they have to drive home, they are going to be under the limit. Alcohol, taken in moderation, may even have some benefits, such as a glass of red wine at dinner, etc. But what if just one drink could be devastating? Such is the case with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). When a woman drinks during her pregnancy, the prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause this severe birth defect. FAS is a leading cause of mental retardation and other birth defects. There are many forms of birth defects that can occur, and these fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) include not only mental defects, but physical and behavioral, as well as learning disabilities. FASD is not a clinical term, but is used to group conditions and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FASDs are 100% avoidable if the mother does not drink while she is carrying the baby. Babies born with FAS occurs approximately 0.2 to 1.5 per, depending on the area of the country. Other FASDs seem to occur three times more often. FAS is the most extreme case. It’s signs are abnormal facial features, abnormal growth and problems with the central nervous system. A child of a mother who drank during pregnancy may not have all of the FAS symptoms, but may have some other FASD. One of these defects is called alcohol-related neirodevelopmental disorder (ARND). While they do not have full FAS symptoms, they may experience behavioral problems or learning disabilities. ARND children may have problems paying attention, or they may have problems grasping math skills, or have poor impulse control. Some other FASD problems may include poor motor coordination, hyperactivity, facial abnormalities like small eye openings, low IQ, trouble with daily living activities, and children with FASD are more likely to develop psychiatric issues. Some of the symptoms might be obvious, but less obvious are characteristics like criminal behavior, poor educational achievement. Diagnosis is important because these kids need special care and nurturing. Children with FASD can reach their potential with the right nurturing, so it does not have to mean a life-long struggle or a limit on happiness. Having a stable home and security is important for these children, to avoid their entering into destructive relationships or harmful living situations later in life. Children who come from abusive relationships are likely to develop abusive behaviors of their own, but kids with FASD are more susceptible to youth violence, or gang behavior or any other type of anti-social action. FASDs are preventable. If women do not drink during pregnancy, or quit early (and the earlier the better) the FASD is avoidable. Also, women who are sexually active and not using birth control measures, should not drink, because they could get pregnant and not know it for several weeks. The mothers are the only ones who can stop FASD. Fathers can help by encouraging the mothers not to drink, and maybe can help that out by stopping themselves. Even if a woman does not drink, there are unexpected situations that can develop, but by not drinking, mothers can give their unborn child the best chance at having a healthy birth and infancy. The problems with FAS and FASD can be prevented just by not drinking. It’s a reasonable and wise trade off. Ned Wicker is the Addictions Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center.
For more on Alcoholism Rehab click for Intervention HOW TO USE THIS SITE:This site contains five MAIN pages that EVERYONE should read: RECOVERY… Yourself... Your Family... Your Friends... Your Community... The rest of the pages are there for your reference to explain important topics in more detail.
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