Alcohol and the Pregnant Woman

Alcohol does not only have an effect on regular people, it also has an effect on expectant mothers. When alcohol enters a pregnant woman’s body, it goes through the placenta to the developing fetus. A baby’s alcohol level can then become as high as the mother’s. Adults can metabolize alcohol but, a fetus is more vulnerable because their livers cannot break down alcohol. Their developing organs are then exposed and prolonged exposure can be very bad. This can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which causes facial malformations, heart abnormalities, mental retardation, and behavioral problems. Another effect would be increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. There is no proven safe amount of alcohol a woman can consume during pregnancy. Women should avoid all alcohol consumption during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester when the vital organs and nervous system are developing.