Alcohol addiction always is a serious issue, but it is especially worrisome during pregnancy. Any alcohol a pregnant woman drinks will quickly reach the fetus and might cause irreversible damage, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Women who are struggling with alcohol addiction during pregnancy should seek treatment as soon as possible.
Significance
While the pregnant woman's liver can break down the alcohol, a baby's liver is not yet capable of doing the same efficiently. This makes the alcohol much more harmful to a fetus than it is to the expectant mother. Many women addicted to alcohol drink large quantities each day, which poses greater danger to the baby. Drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor, and alcohol abuse during pregnancy is a leading cause of mental retardation, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Many babies born to mothers addicted to alcohol have a condition called fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS. This condition causes a combination of serious physical, mental and behavioral problems, including mental retardation or mental disability, heart problems, short attention spans, poor coordination and emotional issues. The effects of FAS are not temporary, but continue for life, according to the March of Dimes.
Considerations
Women who have experienced others criticizing their drinking, felt the urge to cut down their drinking themselves or had a drink first thing in the morning to feel better might have an alcohol problem, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ideally, these women will seek help for their drinking before becoming pregnant. Women who already are pregnant should seek immediate assistance.
Misconceptions
Drinking alcohol might hurt one baby more than another, and it is not safe or reasonable to conclude that just because one baby exposed to alcohol during pregnancy was born healthy that another will be healthy as well. In addition, it is never "too late" to quit drinking during pregnancy, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although it is true that it is better to quit drinking as early as possible in the pregnancy, stopping later in the pregnancy is better than not stopping at all.
Help
Pregnant women who want help for their alcohol addiction can learn about treatment options from their doctor or a mental health professional. Finding a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or calling a support hot line also might prove useful. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence hot line number is 800-622-2255. The number of a SAMSHA's Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator is 800-622-4357. The most important thing for pregnant women struggling with alcohol addiction is to reach out to get the help they need.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Alcohol and Pregnancy: What you Should Know
- March of Dimes: Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, and Pregnancy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol use in Pregnancy
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Drinking and Your Pregnancy
