There are a numerous amount of effects caused by maternal drinking. They could range from an increase in the number of stillbirths, decreased apgar scores at birth, an increase in the number of birth defects, increased development delays, decreased I.Q. scores, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and an increased death rate. Birth defects depend on dosage, timing of exposure, individual factors of mother and child, genetic factors, nutritional factors, and metabolic factors. "The individual factors of the mother and child are also vitally important and the reason why professionals cannot tell a pregnant woman how much would be safe to drink. Since these individual factors cannot be determined, the only way to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects is for a pregnant woman to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages during her entire pregnancy."(http://member.aol.) .
When a pregnant woman suddenly abstains from alcohol both she and her fetus may undergo withdrawal. To date, no studies have analyzed the symptoms and effects of .
withdrawal on the fetus, (Thomas pg47). If a woman is used to drinking daily she could go through alcohol withdrawal. The withdrawal could cause tremors, sweating, stomach .
pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. When Mothers deliver while they are intoxicated they put their child at risk for alcohol withdrawal. The Alcohol metabolism in newborns is slower than in adults; the onset of withdrawal symptoms in newborns may be delayed compared to adults. Studies have proven in newborns with alcohol withdrawal that they may experience tremors, irritability, frequent mouth movements, and vomiting between 24-48 hours after delivery. When babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome they may experience difficulties sucking, be irritable, and show discomfort. Alcohol not only effects the fetus but also the newborn if a mother is planning to breast-feed. Alcohol passes through the breast milk to the child during breast-feeding.
