Pregnancy is a transformative time, where you grow to care for the new life inside of you. Yet, during this time, it has become common knowledge to avoid alcohol as drinking during pregnancy given the severe effects of alcohol on unborn baby. However, what is not understood is the extent of severity this can lead to.
Fetal alcohol syndrome among children and adults is an uphill battle in itself, but what further complicates this struggle is the stigma and discrimination they face in the society due to a general lack of understanding.
At Refine Recovery, we believe in educating parents regarding alcohol use and alcohol recovery to navigate the challenges of pregnancy. In this article, we will understand the complex relationship between alcohol and pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome, the signs, and how you can protect your baby’s present and future.
What Are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are the outcome of drinking while pregnant, leading to preventable birth defects and developmental conditions, such as:
Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
Children born with ARND experience learning and behavioral concerns as they grow up. For instance, they may face troubles with learning, memory, impulse control, judgment, and academic performance.
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
Children born with ARBD can experience a range of birth defects related to the heart, bones, kidneys, hearing, or all of them together.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
FAS is the most severe kind of FASD. It is characterized by neurological, growth, and learning problems. We shall learn more about it in this article.
What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a severe type of FASD that leads to a range of problems in the developing fetus, such as changes in the brain, physical deficits, and growth disturbances. In extreme cases, it can also lead to a miscarriage and stillbirth.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reports that while 0.3 out of 1,000 children between the ages of 7 and 9 years struggle with FAS, the unfortunate fact is that it is irreversible, as there is no treatment or medication that offers a cure yet. However, there is some encouraging news despite this.
Dr. Marisa Sisk, the Chief Clinical Officer at Refine Recovery, says that “Children and adults with FAS can go on to lead productive and fulfilling lives, provided they receive early diagnosis and intervention that addresses the behavioral concerns that come with this condition.”
This is why the role of healthcare does not only come after the fact that something has happened; in fact, it is to empower parents with the knowledge and care they need to achieve sobriety during pregnancy. Preventing FAS begins with proper care and abstinence.
How Much Alcohol Is Safe During Pregnancy?
The only straightforward answer to how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy is that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. No safe threshold exists.
Major health organizations, like Johns Hopkins Medicine, suggest that even light or moderate drinking can affect the fetus, as everything the mother drinks or eats goes to the fetus. As alcohol is broken down more slowly in the body of the fetus, it stays longer and can even lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.
The Lancet also suggests that there is a crucial link between binge drinking (consuming 4+ drinks in one sitting) and FAS. Binge drinking is quite common among women, but this leads to large rises in blood alcohol levels (BAC) and precipitous withdrawal. These rises and falls in BAC lead to apoptotic damage to developing nerve cells and can play a role in the pathogenesis of FAS.
How Much Drinking Leads to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
We know what leads to fetal alcohol syndrome, but we do not know the exact quantity of alcohol that leads to this condition. The truth is that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
The reason for this is that alcohol is a teratogen – which means any agent that can lead to birth and other defects in the unborn baby. It is not just alcohol that is a teratogen; other psychoactive substances like tobacco, illicit drugs, and even some prescription medications can also be teratogens.
Therefore, Dr. Sisk suggests that “If you are pregnant, it is crucial that you be open and honest with your doctor so as to find the most optimal route to your pregnancy – this is important for both you and your baby.”
What Are the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms?
It is crucial to understand the signs of fetal alcohol syndrome in babies, as the earlier this is diagnosed, the earlier one can seek intervention for the productive and fulfilling future of their baby.
Some of the commonly recognizable fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms are as follows:
- Low birth weight
- Very small head size
- Birth defects
- Growth disturbances
- Not achieving developmental milestones
- Smooth philtrum
- Jitteriness
- Seizures.
Doctors typically diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome in babies based on these symptoms. However, knowing whether or not the women drank during pregnancy is also quite crucial, as genetic defects and birth injuries can sometimes confuse the diagnosis.
What Are the Challenges of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Adults?
It is entirely realistic to lead a productive, fulfilling life with fetal alcohol syndrome. However, what is important to understand is that it is an irreversible condition, meaning there is no cure.
So, yes, there are certain challenges of fetal alcohol syndrome in adults. Some of the common ones are:
- Slowed growth
- Cognitive dysfunctions and neurological problems, like seizures
- Learning disabilities
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Increased risk of immune dysfunctions
- The fetal alcohol syndrome face, which includes small eyes, a flat nose bridge, a thin upper lip, and smooth skin between the nose and upper lip.
- Vision and/or hearing problems
- Increased risk of cancer.
Please remember, it is not that the fetal alcohol effect on adults manifests as all of the above. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and they can range from mild to moderate to severe.
In addition to the above, it is also likely that adults with fetal alcohol syndrome become addicted to alcohol themselves or have higher rates of problems with substance use disorders, which can lead to mental health conditions and other impacts.
Can Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Be Prevented?
Yes, fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented by maintaining full sobriety during pregnancy. However, this is not as simple as it sounds. Oftentimes, it so happens that women do not know they are pregnant until 4-6 weeks after the fact, so avoiding alcohol entirely can be tricky.
What this unfortunately means is that babies born to parents who consume alcohol have a greater risk of developing this syndrome, especially if the parent does not realize that they are pregnant until later.
However, what is also crucial is to provide proper care and support to pregnant persons to overcome alcohol use, and this requires empathy and early intervention, especially if the pregnancy is accidental. The need of the day is holistic and personalized care options that ensure the well-being of the parent and the baby.
Is It Safe to Drink After Pregnancy?
The conversations regarding fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or fetal alcohol syndrome do not end with delivery. What comes after is just as important. Alcohol and breastfeeding require you to tread carefully.
But why is this? Can alcohol be passed through breast milk? Indeed, yes. The National Library of Medicine (NIH) reports that alcohol passes through breast milk, similar to how BAC does. The highest alcohol levels in breast milk peak between 30-60 minutes. Therefore, it is always advisable to wait for 2-2.5 hours before nursing.
However, what is even more crucial is to target lasting sobriety through comprehensive treatment programs to avoid any kind of fetal alcohol effect on unborn and growing babies.
How Can Alcoholism Be Treated During Pregnancy?
If you wish to get pregnant or are pregnant and dealing with alcoholism, it is only natural for you to worry about the health and future of your child. But the fact that you are here shows that you want what is best for your child and wish to take action.
While there can be ups and downs in the journey toward recovery, there is a lot of hope of overcoming alcoholism and a lot of hope even if the baby is born with fetal alcohol syndrome.
At Refine Recovery’s luxury treatment center in Los Angeles, we treat alcohol use disorder with a combination of:
- Medically supervised detox
- Psychotherapy
- Medication management
- Peer support
- Aftercare.
Meanwhile, dealing with fetal alcohol syndrome requires:
- Early diagnosis
- Early intervention with the development of physical skills, speech, and social skills.
- Special education services
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Life skills training
- Mental health support through counseling and therapy.
Begin Your Journey Toward Sobriety and Wellness Today
If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol use and wants to protect their future and family, help is available. At Refine Recovery, we provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment programs that address the root causes of addiction and support long-term healing.
Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, are in recovery, or simply ready to make a change, our team is here to guide you with care and confidentiality every step of the way.
Contact our experts at (866) 890-9573 to begin your journey toward a safe and healthy motherhood today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
1. Can you drink alcohol while pregnant?
No, drinking while pregnant can be dangerous and fatal for the unborn baby, as it leads to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, miscarriage, and still birth.
2. What are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a range of disorders that are the outcome of drinking while pregnant. They include alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, alcohol-related birth defects, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
3. What is fetal alcohol syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe kind of FASD, which is characterized by growth, learning, and other physical abnormalities.
4. What are the first signs of fetal alcohol syndrome in babies?
The early signs of fetal alcohol syndrome in babies include low birth weight, very small head size, distinctive facial features, and not meeting developmental milestones.
5. Can fetal alcohol syndrome be treated?
Yes, fetal alcohol syndrome can be treated with early interventions, like physical skills, life skills, special education services, vocational rehabilitation services, and mental health support. However, it cannot be cured.
