Alcohol And The Fetus Essay - 1518 Words

Know When to Say When nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Drinking during pregnancy is often thought of as no big deal. However, drinking during pregnancy is a very big deal. An unborn baby’s life is in the hands of the mother. If she decides to drink, she is risking the unborn’s chances of being as smart and healthy as it can be. Drinking during pregnancy opens the doors to a variety of harmful effects on the mother and her unborn baby, and until this is brought out in the open with honesty, it cannot be prevented. There are many stereotypes about the women that drink while they are pregnant. One stereotype believed by professional doctors is that women that are college-educated and wealthy are going to drink less or not at all during†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to some people, the first three months is the safest time to drink. However, there is no safe time when a pregnant mother can drink. In fact, during the first three months, the fetus is at the highest risk of being harmed (Walsh 2). Researchers concluded â€Å"that major physical defects in the human embryo, the early developing organism, can be caused by exposure to alcohol in the first trimester-that is the first three months of pregnancy† (â€Å"Fetal Alcohol†). Exposure to alcohol in the third trimester can result in decreased fetal growth (â€Å"Fetal Alcohol†). â€Å"Mothers who drink later in pregnancy chance miscarriages and giving birth to premature or low-weight babies † (Walsh 2). Even after the child is born, alcohol can be passed through the breast milk, providing alcohol directly to the baby, that is, if the mother chooses to breast-feed her child (How Alcohol). So, technically, there is no safe time to drink even after the baby is born. The fetus is not the only one harmed by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, but the mother is as well. In fact, many doctors urge women who think they are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant to stop drinking (â€Å"Fetal Alcohol†). â€Å"One percent of all mothers consume fourteen or more drinks per week during the three months before pregnancy† (Walsh 3). To the average person one percent is not too large of a proportion. However, the volume of alcohol consumed is high duringShow MoreRelatedFetal Alcohol Syndrome The Effects of Alcohol on a Fetus During Pregnancy1727 Words   |  7 Pages Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy and is characterized by specific patters of fetal deformities. Researchers are unsure at what stage in the pregnancy these malformations occur or the amount of alcohol consumed to cause these deformities. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation that is preventable. 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Fetal Alc ohol Syndrome couldRead MoreHow to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder1030 Words   |  5 Pages Alcohol is a major part of today’s society. Individuals are constantly being exposed to alcohol on a daily basis by simple commercials on the television or while driving on the highway seeing advertisements of billboards. Alcohol is a dependent substance for many people in society because not only is it a way to release one’s stress, but it is also associated to have a good time with. Attending a holiday party at a family member’s house or a party to celebrate a birthday, alcohol is always involvedRead MorePrenatal Development And Development Of A Fetus1591 Words   |  7 Pagesof the development of a human fetus during pregnancy, from fertilization of the egg until the birth of the child. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of the fetus and many threats that can impact it. 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During the prenatal period, it is important that new mothers are informed of the different types of abuse, how they may affect the fetus, and the adverse conditions their child mayRead MoreHSM 542 Week 3 Assignment Essay639 Words   |  3 PagesHer Fetus to Risk?† In some ethical and legal respects a pregnant woman and her fetus can be considered separate. Both the woman and the fetus are ordinarily affected by the well-being of one another for as long as each of them live. The ethical and legal issues are challenged deeply in cases where the well-being of the fetus and the mother appear to be in conflict. Our society struggles with identifying cases where the pregnant woman’s interests and/or behaviors might put her fetus at riskRead MoreIn Today’S Society Healthcare Is Changing Rapidly, Mainly1099 Words   |  5 Pagesthat should be addressed is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The valuable information found within so many resources allows for better prevention of FAS, patient centered care, and quality of care for not only the mother, but for the fetus as well. It is important to be able to have access to all types of resources, know how to interpret the information they are providing, educate the patient, and put it into pra ctice in order to put an end to issues like Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. One of the issues thatRead MoreEssay about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome1366 Words   |  6 Pages Many women that become pregnant are unaware of the consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the damaging effects it has on the fetus. When a woman who is pregnant drinks alcohol, the baby is also drinking alcohol. Furthermore, the amount of alcohol that is consumed by the mother is the same amount the baby receives through the mothers placenta. Many doctors advise that it is okay for the mother to have an occasional drink, however, some women cannot stop at one drink, and they continue