The Effects of Drinking and Smoking While Pregnant

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The Effects of Drinking and Smoking While Pregnant

The most disgusting thing in this world in my opinion, is when a pregnant woman

drinks or smokes. Women who drink during their pregnancy don't know that alcohol

can fatally harm the unborn baby. Most of these women drink during their pregnancy

with out any knowledge of the consequences. 'An estimated 40,000 babies are born each

year in the United States with alcohol-related birth defects. The actual figures may be

higher.'(Poisoned in the womb, p.53) The baby can be born with a lot of different kinds

of birth defects. Women, who drink very heavily during their pregnancy, have babies

that are born with Fetus Alcohol Syndrome.

Drinking alcohol can lead to the baby's slow brain development, mental

retardation, face deformities, and even death. 'Premature birth was associated with

alcohol consumption during pregnancy.'(Alcohol and the fetus, p.41) The reasons for

the mother's drinking might be peer pressure at parties or social events, age or

occupation. It is very hard to take care of the baby that is born with FAS. The effects of

the alcohol will basically last for life.

?Fetus Alcohol Syndrome, described by American researchers in 1973, is the

most severe form of alcohol-induced malformation.? (Poisoned in the womb, p. 44)

?Fetus Alcohol Syndrome is one of the three leading causes of mental retardation.?

(Poisoned in the womb, p.49) It is very hard to take care of babies with birth

defects. They will remain in intensive care for weeks or months after their birth. Their

nervous system is severely damaged, and it is hard to calm them down when they are

crying. Sometimes they become i...

... middle of paper ...

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In conclusion, babies with Fetus Alcohol Syndrome are born to those women who

drink very heavily during their pregnancy. I think that there should be special schools or

classes for mothers to be, educating them what will happen to their babies if they drink

during their pregnancy. It is so sad and unfair to the baby, which can be born beautiful

and healthy, but instead is born with multiple birth defects. It is the mother?s decision to

drink while she is pregnant and only the she is responsible for her baby?s health.

Bibliography:

Sources

McCuen, Gary E.

Born Hooked (Poisoned in the Womb)

1991 GEM publications Inc.

Rosett, Henry L. and Lyn Weiner

Alcohol and the Fetus (A Clinical Perspective)

1984 Oxford University press, Inc.

The Official Website of Yahoo

Jan. 1996 (alcohol and pregnancy)

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