The Effects Of Fetal Alcohol On Pregnancy Essay - 1986 Words

Considering the multitudes of things that could go wrong during a pregnancy, why would mothers consume alcohol despite the warnings of possible birth defects? Many are familiar with the Just Say No campaign spearheaded by Nancy Reagan in the 1980 s to prevent drug and alcohol use among teens. However, many turn a blind eye to the warnings of the surgeon general stating alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in birth defects. When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, she puts her fetus at risk from mild to severe physical, mental and cognitive disabilities. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the term that is used to describe an array of disorders that occurs as a consequence of women consuming alcohol during pregnancy. There are many types of FASD including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related birth defects(ARBD), alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder(ARND), and neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol expo sure. Although alcohol consumption during pregnancy is ill-advised, throughout the United States mothers continue to drink during pregnancy. Being FASD is the most preventable of developmental disabilities, I will examine the irreparable consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its behavioral, physical, cognitive and educational implications on the fetus and the family. Being the most severe form of the FASD, FAS is leading cause of mental retardation. Children diagnosed withShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Fetal Alcohol On Pregnancy904 Words   |  4 Pagesher pregnancy. At thirty four weeks pregnant the woman delivers a four pound baby boy, he is rushed to the NICU with breathing problems and struggles to survive. Fortunately, the baby survives; but he continues to struggle throughout his life, learning slowly and displaying symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome all because his mother was unwilling or unable to stop drinking during her pregnancy. Drinking during pregnancy can cause a miscarriage which is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy. Alcohol useRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome The Effects of Alcohol on a Fetus During Pregnancy1727 Words   |  7 Pages Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy and is characterized by specific patters of fetal deformities. Researchers are unsure at what stage in the preg nancy these malformations occur or the amount of alcohol consumed to cause these deformities. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation that is preventable. There are usually three factors pertaining to a diagnosis of FAS: â€Å"the presence of prenatal/postnatal growth retardation, craniofacial anomaliesRead MorePregnancy: the Effects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse on Fetal Development4521 Words   |  19 PagesPregnancy: The Effects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse on Fetal Development Natalie Fontanella Liberty University Online Abstract This paper examined the effects of alcohol and substance abuse on fetal development in expecting mothers. The critical periods of fetal development during pregnancy are reviewed and discussed in order to determine the effects alcohol and substance can cause during certain stages. In order to gain a more efficient understanding of the effects different substancesRead More Alcohol And The Fetus Essay1518 Words   |  7 Pages Know When to Say When nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Drinking during pregnancy is often thought of as no big deal. However, drinking during pregnancy is a very big deal. An unborn baby’s life is in the hands of the mother. If she decides to drink, she is risking the unborn’s chances of being as smart and healthy as it can be. Drinking during pregnancy opens the doors to a variety of harmful effects on the mother and her unborn baby, and until this is brought out in the open with honesty, it cannotRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol And Its Effects On Children856 Words   |  4 Pages Alcohol plays a major role in today’s society. Everywhere we look, something is advertising alcohol. Alcohol is consumed for many purposes, whether it be for a celebration, out of boredom, or a way to relax. Alcohol has very damaging effects. Not only does alcohol cause self-inflicted diseases, but it harms unborn fetuses as well. Many women drink alcohol before they realize they are pregnant. One of the most seve re effects alcohol causes an unborn fetus is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal AlcoholRead More The Irreversible Damage Caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay884 Words   |  4 Pagesdevelopment of her baby. Excessive exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can inflict serious, permanent physical and mental damage on her child. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol she is making her child drink also. In knowing how Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be prevented, what the symptoms are, and who and what make up the risk factors fetal alcohol syndrome can be better understood. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome states Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the name given to a groupRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can happen to children whose mothers drank sufficient amounts of alcohol sometime throughout their pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition classified in a group called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and is the most known and severe of the group. FAS, depending on the factors such as location, population and race studied is considered one of the leading known causes of mental retardation and birth defects, with 0.2 – 1.5 out of every 1Read MoreHow to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder1030 Words   |  5 Pages Alcohol is a major part of today’s society. Individuals are constantly being exposed to alcohol on a daily basis by simple commercials on the television or while driving on the highway seeing advertisements of billboards. Alcohol is a dependent substance for many people in society because not only is it a way to release one’s stress, but it is also associated to have a good time with. Attending a holiday party at a family member’s house or a party to celebrate a birthday, alcohol is always involvedRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome And Its Effects1712 Words   |  7 Pages Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its Effects On a Child’s Cognitive Development Dane D. Hrencher Kansas State University Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its Effects On a Child’s Cognitive Development Alcohol is known as one the most dangerous teratogens. Every time a pregnant woman drinks, she allows alcohol to enter her blood stream and make its way into the placenta. Unlike the mother, the fetus is unable to break down alcohol that makes the blood alcohol level of the fetus the same orRead MoreThe Effects Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome On The Children850 Words   |  4 Pageswhat to expect during pregnancy and after birth. It is important to teach parents how to care for their infant inside and outside of the womb. The nurse will need to educate parents on lifestyle changes that will promote optimal health in their infant. The nurse will determine education based on the parents’ lifestyles and habits such as cessation of smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages. This paper will aim to further educate individuals in regards to what fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is, how