Undesirable Effects of Alcohol on the Unborn Child   by Nicanor C. Radomes

in Health    (submitted 2009-09-05)

ALCOHOL poisons body tissues, especially the brain and the liver. Its most devastating effects are on unborn babies of mothers who are habitual drinkers. Babies born with alcohol may have the so-called FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS). These children suffer abnormalities in their physical growth, brain development and speech development. Certain other physical defects may also occur.

Alcohol enters easily through the placental barrier of the mother and can attack any of the baby cells. It is also possible that the husband's drinking affects his sperm and thus may also be a factor in producing FAS.

Most infants having FAS exhibit mental retardation, those who attain average intelligence are very rare. Their brains are usually small. They are irritable throughout life. At birth, they are below normal in length and weight. As they grow, they tend to be skinny, causing parents to complain why they can't fatten up their little kids. The true cause is damage to body cells by alcohol before birth has resulted in fewer and smaller body cells.

Alcohol affects the total body development of the baby from head to toe. Very noticeable is the smallness of the head, the flattened face and the drooping eyelids. Other characteristics: small eyes, thin upper lip, nose-to-lip groove absent, nose shortened and upturned, skin folds at the inner corners of the eyes and an unusually small or large lower jaw. However, not all deformities cited above are present in a child with a FAS.

Besides, these unfortunate children are often mentally retarded and hyperactive. They may hav e heart defects, partial deafness and poor eyesight. They may develop malformed kidneys and club feet.

Drink milk and eat fruits instead

Slow growth may go hand in hand with retardation of speech as the child grows. THERE IS NO TREATMENT FOR SOME FAS DEFECTS. FAS in unborn babies is preventable. It will surely be prevented if mothers will abstain alcoholic drinks. Mothers- whatever station in life they are- should not resort to drinking to forget or solve problems. Doing so will only worsen problems much more. THINK WELL OF THE FUTURE OF YOUR BABY IN YOUR WOMB. GIVE HIM ALL THE LOVE, CARE AND NOURISHMENT IN ALL THE 9 MONTHS HE'S WITHIN YOU. Drink milk instead and eat plenty of life-sustaining foods. You'll not regret, mind you, because your baby upon birth will come out alive, alert and kicking so to speak. I'm sure when he grows up, he'll be more of an asset than a liability to you.

Ill effects of FAS is greatest among infants born to women who have been drinking early in pregnancy. If drinking is stop in mid-pregnancy, the size of the baby will improve, but there is no guarantee that the baby will be mentally normal because BRAIN DAMAGE OCCURS DURING THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY. If a mother stops drinking alcohol before pregnancy, the fetus will not develop FAS. Beer, wine and all alcoholic beverage have the same effect on the fetus. Nursing mothers, who have resumed drinking after the baby is born- will pass the alcohol from her to the baby through the breast milk. Ill effect: development of baby's muscle coordination will be hindered. (Eight Secrets of Health)

Advice from the researcher: To concerned or future mothers or women, please heed this article for the benefits of unborn babies; to others, please pass on the lessons to your friends and associates. They may need them some day. Thank you.