Ladies Listen Up: There is a Birth Defect that is 100% Preventable
I have said it before, but I can’t say enough; there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. Not planning to be pregnant any time soon? Half of all pregnant women did not plan to be pregnant last year either. Are you wondering what the big deal is? Well, the big deal is that if you drink any amount of alcohol during your pregnancy, you are putting your baby at risk for a variety of problems including the following:
- Abnormal facial features
- Small head size
- Shorter-than-average height
- Low body weight
- Poor coordination
- Hyperactive behavior
- Difficulty paying attention
- Poor memory
- Difficulty in school (especially with math)
- Learning disabilities
- Speech and language delays
- Intellectual disability or low IQ
- Poor reasoning and judgment skills
- Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
- Vision or hearing problems
- Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones
Some of these effects happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Remember FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) are the only birth defects that are 100% preventable.
Have a plan to prevent.
If drinking alcohol is a part of your social life, what do you plan to do during your pregnancy so you’re not tempted to drink? What will you do to prevent boredom? Who will support you?
I’d love to hear your plan. Maybe your advice will help make it easier for other women.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html
I just think about the precious little one growing in me, and that is more than enough motivation not to drink. I find if I keep busy, like taking walks or watching movies with friends, that I don’t even think about it. If I’m asked to be the DD, I sometimes drop them off and go do my own thing. I just pick them up later. I’d rather give up the 9 + months (plan to breastfeed) of drinking, than take the chance of hurting my baby.
Good luck to all you moms out there!