ALCOHOL & PREGNANCY

 Written by: Janvi Zade

Edited by: Yashi Shah

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Pregnancy is one of the happiest phases in a couple's life. It changes the dynamics of life. With the increase in intake of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and other substances, the risks of these toxic substances affecting children is on a rise. If you are a parent and your child is suffering from small head, poor coordination, poor judgment, lack of focus, learning disabilities, kidney defects, heart problems, mood swings, and many such symptoms then there’s a high chance your baby is suffering from FASD!

FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It’s a diseased condition with almost life long symptoms caused due to prenatal exposure to alcohol. Pregnant ladies who drink alcohol during pregnancy often give birth to babies suffering from this disorder. When a woman is pregnant there’s a placental barrier between the fetus and the mother. This barrier allows the transfer of nutrients, blood, air, and all-important components needed for the development of the child. 

At the same time, toxic intakes like alcohol, drugs, and tobacco also have the potency to cross the placental barrier. This leads to hampered growth of the baby and many other physical disorders as well. FASD is one such condition. However, this disorder can be mild or severe depending upon the amount of alcohol exposure to the fetus. If the mother drank alcohol during the first few weeks of pregnancy unknowingly then the symptoms can be mild but the problem arises if the mother is a heavy drinker. 

There are several types of FASDs- fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related birth defects, alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder, and neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Since alcohol consumption affects the development of the baby in a wholesome manner it’s difficult to classify the symptoms of this disorder in a specific way.

Some common symptoms of FASD are a smooth ridge between upper lips and nose, small and wide-set eyes, a very thin upper lip, abnormal facial features, hyperactivity, delayed development and problems in thinking, writing, social skills, heart problems, and intellectual disabilities.

Woefully, FASD is incurable but the symptoms can be reduced to a larger extent. A special environment at home with no violence can help such kids to remain mentally calm. Proper medications also prove beneficial. Equipped parents can also approach special education services which will help their toddlers to speak properly. Parent counseling is also one way to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy. And finally, it’s never too late; if you are in the early trimester then you can quit alcohol consumption thus reducing the risk of such a detrimental disease to your baby.