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Fas

What do you think about drinking during pregnancy? Do you know what FAS is? Do you want your child to have FAS? Read on and I believe you will come to the same conclusion as I have about FAS.

FAS doesn't sound so bad, but in reality it is. FAS means Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is a combination of physical and mental defects first evident at a baby's birth. FAS is a direct result of a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These defects continue through out the child's life. One in five hundred children are born with FAS.

Your baby is at risk no matter how much liquor you drink. It doesn't matter if it's beer, wine, or hard liquor. The chemicals in the liquor quickly pass through into the placenta, which means the baby absorbs as much alcohol as you do. Even a small amount of alcohol is harmful to a developing fetus. A baby's blood alcohol concentration is higher then an adults. Therefore, alcohol impairs optimal nutrition for a baby's developing tissues and organs. Alcohol impedes fetal brain development, affects intelligence, learning skills, and behaviour. FAS babies have lower IQ's. The most serious consequence can even cause mental retardation. The more alcohol a pregnant woman drinks, the greater risk it is to the baby. Key stages of development occur in the first trimester. Parts of development affected during the first trimester are impaired facial features, heart & other organs, bones and central nervous system. The brain develops during all trimesters, therefore; it is affected during the whole pregnancy. Some children experience symptoms in a far greater degree than others.

Characteristics of FAS babies:

Facial characteristics: Abnormally small head
Low or sunken nasal bridge
Abnormally small eyes
Flat mid-face
Short, upturned nose
Thin upper lip
Small teeth with faulty enamel

Other physical characteristics: Permanent brain damage
Heart and kidney defects...