Foetal Alcohol Syndrome: Things A Mom-to-be Needs to Know
During pregnancy, smoking and drinking alcohol is a big “No.” But, if a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it comes in the way of foetal development – causing defects in foetal physical and mental development. This is something known as Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This syndrome comes together in a group, resulting in a particular disease or abnormal condition in the developing baby. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a lifelong condition that is treatable.
Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is crucial to prevent Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. Even minimal alcohol consumption can harm your developing fetus, so it's best to abstain from drinking entirely during this time.
Reasons behind Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
When you drink alcohol like hard ciders, wine, beer, and “hard liquor”, it passes through your bloodstream and the umbilical cord to the developing baby. The baby can’t metabolise or break down the alcohol and it stays with the growing baby.
- Alcohol can kill the cells in different parts of the foetus
- Alcohol comes in the way of the foetal cell development
- Alcohol narrows the blood vessels which further reduces the blood flow to the placenta, causing oxygen and nutrients to the foetus
- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to the production of toxic byproducts in the body, which can accumulate in the baby’s brain cells and cause significant damage. It is crucial to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy to protect the developing fetus from potential harm.
The Symptoms of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Since the beginning of foetal development is the most essential during pregnancy, the damage from alcohol can take place at any time. That means there is no specific amount that does the damage, any amount can do it and that is detected through a pregnancy hormonal test. Besides the physical and mental challenges, distortions to their faces as well as limbs. There are risks of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Williams syndrome associated too.
So, as far as the ways to treat foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), quitting alcohol is a must during your pregnancy. Also, take the help of your healthcare practitioner to deal with this problem.