The health of women while pregnant directly affects that of their babies. Women who drink while pregnant risk having a child born with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Fetal alcohol syndrome develops because of the alcohol passed through a woman’s umbilical cord to her baby. Crestview Recovery offers help for expectant mothers who need help to ensure they stay healthy for their child.
Most experts agree that there’s no safe amount when it comes to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. They recommend that women avoid drinking entirely for safety reasons. Let’s look at some facts around fetal alcohol syndrome in babies.
1. Alcohol Can Harm Babies
Most women do not find out they are expecting until they are four to six weeks along. It’s possible for babies to experience the fallout from alcohol consumption before a woman knows she is pregnant or even suspects her condition. The earlier a woman stops drinking during pregnancy, the more she improves the chances of having a healthy baby.
One reason alcohol causes so many issues in babies is that it sits at higher concentrations their bloodstream versus the mother. That’s because alcohol metabolizes at a slower rate in fetuses than it does in an adult. Alcohol also interferes with nutrient and oxygen delivery to a fetus. Seek help from an alcohol addiction rehab for addiction help.
2. Can Cause Brain Damage and Stunt Growth
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe form of known FASDs. The symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child. Many children born with fetal alcohol syndrome experience slow growth during and after birth. The damage that is done to the brain and central nervous system can cause conditions like:
- Poor balance and coordination
- Problems with memory
- Intellectual disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Delayed development
- Poor judgment skills
- Hyperactivity
- Rapid mood swings
- Problems focusing and processing information
- Difficulty with reasoning and problem-solving
Women who believe their child is at risk of having fetal alcohol syndrome should see a doctor immediately. They may have resource recommendations for getting help with an alcohol use disorder and protecting your child’s well-being.
3. Can Cause Behavioral Problems
Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome may have problems with social interactions. They have trouble getting along with teachers and other students. They may exhibit poor social skills and react poorly when asked to switch from one task to another. Other problems often observed in children with fetal alcohol syndrome include:
- Behavioral issues like lashing out at others
- Impulse control
- Trouble keeping track of time
- Struggle with planning or working toward set goals
These issues can plague children well into adulthood. Abstaining from drinking while pregnant can prevent the development of fetal alcohol syndrome. It’s important that women with an alcohol use disorder who suspect they are expecting a baby get help from an addiction treatment center as soon as possible.
Protect Your Child
It’s never too late to stop drinking, no matter how far along with the pregnancy you are. Getting help at a facility like Crestview Recovery can be key to preserving the health of the baby until it is born. We also offer help for a variety of other substance use issues and mental health disorders. Our goal is to help you get healthy while working toward recovery.
If you or a loved one are pregnant and need help to break the cycle of alcohol abuse, we may be able to help. Call Crestview Recovery at 866.262.0531 and start looking out for the well-being of you and your child. We can assist you as you work to make the health of yourself and your baby a top priority.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
