Saturday, September 14, 2019
Pregnant Mothers Should Not Drink Alcohol Essay
Experts continue to differ on whether or not it is safe for pregnant mothers to drink alcohol. While others are of the opinion that moderate drinking is risk-free others espouse an extremist stance that even a single drink is a risk that could be too expensive to bear. The latter group believes that any alcohol during pregnancy is a risk. They dogmatically argue that while some governments set regulations to limit the amount of alcohol consumption for mothers-to-be, no amount of alcohol is safe for mothers-to-be and that even the small amount advised can be disastrous to the unborn baby. These ‘extremists’ feel that governments are being complacent on the issue and warn mothers that the only way they can be certain of the health of their unborn babies and protect their dreams is by abstaining from alcohol. â€Å"The only guaranteed safe way is not to drink at all when you are pregnant,†Dr. Raja M. states. Dr. Raja says that one in every 100 babies born is damaged by their mothers drinking while pregnant. He explains that many children who develop behavioral problems due to exposure to alcohol while still in the womb are incorrectly diagnosed as having other conditions such as attention deficit disorder. Alcohol, which is a real culprit, goes unnoticed. (http://new.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3651050am)            In some countries like US and France alcohol beverages carry warming about the potential for damage to unborn children. This is an important step towards sensitization of mothers-to-be on the risks drinking may expose their unborn babies to. Well, other mechanisms should be beefed up to sensitize and prohibit pregnant mothers from drinking alcohol For instance, the government should not depict itself as saying â€Å"have a few drinks and that is alright†. No. Stricter laws and a no-drinking policy for pregnant mothers would be best. (Committee on substance abuse and committee on children with disabilities, 2000:25).            The ‘moderates’ believes that the risks caused by drinking alcohol by pregnant mothers are not as serious as they are made to appear. They want to believe that drinking a little amount of alcohol is safe and harmless. While they agree that alcohol has some negative side effects on unborn babies, they argue that in most cases the risks are ballooned and grossly exaggerated. After all, not all mental retardation cases are caused by prenatal alcohol consumption. And again, some babies whose mothers don’t drink while pregnant are still born with Mental retardation and other similar complications. (Streissguth, 1997:213).  Pregnant mothers adopting such a stance may feel psychologically ‘safe’ to drink while in real sense they are doing irreparable damage to their unborn babies. If and when pregnant mothers drink at the expense of their unborn babies, don’t they depict themselves as selfish and inhuman? Which is better, believing that it is safe to drink and jeopardize their babies’ lives or avoiding alcohol, which means avoiding the risk? The same way abortion is inhuman to the fetus, drinking alcohol is no less. Why insist on a drink that will ruin the entire life of your baby?            Medics and other human developmental specialist agree that alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a disorder of the offsprings born of mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy. Sadly, this disorder is permanent birth defects. â€Å"Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal weight or growth†. It can also cause facial stigma, damage brain structures and causes other mental physical and behavioral problems like attention deficit disorders, impulsive behavior and poor memory. The prenatal alcohol exposure damages the developing brain cells and structures. This causes malformed and underdeveloped brain structure resulting in primary cognitive and functional disabilities. It also causes secondary disabilities for instance drug addiction and mental health problems. With such complications, mothers-to-be should avoid alcohol. (Http://alcoholism.about.com/od/preg/pregnancy-and-drinking.htm).            Remember the risk of brain damage exists during each trimester since the fetal brain develops through out the entire gestation period. While prenatal exposure to alcohol does not ways result in FAS, abstaining from alcohol use is essential due to the risk involved. Research findings show that FAS is the leading known causes of mental retardation in the western. In the USA alone, FAS prevalence is estimated to be higher than any other developmental disabilities such as Spina bifida and Down syndrome. Again, the lifetime medical and social cost of each child with FAS is estimated to be about  ¾ million dollars. (Http://alcoholism.about.com/od/preg/pregnancy-and-drinking.htm). Does this provide a cogent reason why pregnant mothers should avoid alcohol consumption?            Growth deficiency and CNS damage are major symptoms and complications that make FAS serious. Mother-to-be should realize alcohol is a teratogen- there is no clear consensus as to what level of exposure is toxic. Amount, frequency and timing of prenatal alcohol affect the impact of FAS. Ulleland (1972:123) says, â€Å"FAS require comprehensive and multi-model approaches to ameliorate the negative effects†. Since FAS is a syndrome, the complexity of medical and other interventions applied in treatment of multiple disabilities caused by FAS make it a risk worth avoiding not daring. (Ulleland, 1972:123)            Pregnant mothers and their counselors or attendants should know that FAS has no cure and no treatment can prevent alcohol from affecting unborn babies. Worse still is the fact that caring for a baby with FAS takes patience. These babies can be too sensitive to light and sound. Feeding may also take extra time and energy as the baby may have problems sucking. Their thinking, reasoning and language skills may be impaired. (McCreight, 1997:58). With all these downsides, how can mothers justify their use of alcohol!             With such evidence, anyone would be justified to conclude that pregnant mothers should, if they care for their unborn babies and for themselves, avoid alcohol. We have seen that prenatal alcohol is perilous to unborn babies and therefore should be shunned by all means. Abstinence from alcohol is the best. Works Cited Any alcohol a risk in pregnancy http://new.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3651050am Accessed on line on 21st November 2007 18:13: 48 GMT Buddy, T. A guide to Alcoholism. / Pregnancy and drinking.                   Http://alcoholism.about.com/od/preg/pregnancy-and-drinking.htm Accessed online on 21st November 2007 1:40:15 GMT. Committee on substance abuse and committee on children with disabilities                 Pediatrics 106(2) 358-361. 2000. McCreight, B. (1997).Recognizing and Managing Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects: A Guidebook Chapter 10. Washington  DC: Child Welfare League of America Inc. Ulleland, C.N. The offspring of alcoholic mothers. Annuals new book   academy of science. 197 PMID. 1972 Streissguth, A.P. (1997). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A guide to families                            and communities. Baltimore U.S.: Brookes Publishing Company.
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