During pregnancy, alcohol use is harmful to a pregnant mother’s unborn baby. There can be many reasons why an expectant mother could drink.
It is important to understand how expecting mothers and alcoholism can have lasting impacts on the unborn baby. Learning more about the dangers of drinking while pregnant can help expectant mothers realise when they should seek help.
Why Do Expecting Mothers Drink?
There are many different reasons why expecting mothers drink alcohol while pregnant. For starters, some women may not be aware they are pregnant. They could continue to drink because they have not exhibited any of the usual signs of pregnancy.
Another reason some women continue to drink during pregnancy is due to societal or cultural norms. There are several cultures and countries in Europe and Africa where drinking while pregnant is not frowned upon.
Some women also turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with excess stress or anxiety while pregnant. They assume having a few drinks periodically to calm down will be okay. They do not believe it will pose any risks to their unborn child.
Alcohol addiction is another reason why expectant mothers could drink. When a woman is suffering from alcohol use disorder, she could engage in risky behaviours that result in pregnancy. In some cases, a woman in recovery could relapse due to the added stress and anxiety of being pregnant.
Additionally, the loss of a loved one could cause immense grief, leading to drinking as a coping mechanism. For example, the mother loses her husband in a tragic accident. She could decide to numb her emotions and grief by drinking even though she is pregnant. As evident, there are numerous reasons why expecting mothers drink.
How Does Alcoholism Impact the Unborn Child?
When a woman drinks, the alcohol passes through the bloodstream and eventually through the placenta to reach the baby. Unborn babies are still developing, and their liver is not completely formed. So, they can experience the effects of alcohol but at a much higher level compared to the mother.
Alcoholism can also impact how the child’s brain develops and alters its chemical and neurological functioning. Alcohol triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with happiness and pleasure. In a developing baby, forcing the release of these neurotransmitters could cause neurological developmental issues.
How Alcoholism Impacts the Mother’s Body
Alcoholism impacts the mother’s body in several different ways. Continued drinking places a strain on the liver to process the alcohol and break it down. Over time, this could lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.
Another impact is the changes occurring in the brain. Alcoholism can cause blackouts, memory loss, decreased cognitive functions, and increased risks of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Expectant mothers also experience tolerance, where their body grows accustomed to alcohol. As it does, the desired effects diminish, requiring the woman to increase her alcohol intake.
Additionally, when a woman is addicted to alcohol, she may not eat as often or eat unhealthily. This can cause hormonal imbalances and vitamin deficiencies that also affect the unborn child. Furthermore, chronic alcoholism weakens the immune system, making pregnant women more susceptible to illnesses, infections, and diseases.
Risks and Dangers of Drinking While Pregnant?
The risks and dangers of drinking while pregnant include many of the same risks one faces when not pregnant, such as:
- Increased risk of injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Legal problems
- Financial problems
- Violent outbursts
- Inability to stop drinking
- Drinking without any regard for potentially negative consequences
The impacts of continued drinking while pregnant also increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Should the baby make it full term, the baby could have a very low birth weight. Other long-term impacts that can affect the baby post-birth include:
- Facial deformities
- Central nervous system problems
- Behavioural problems
- Brain damage
- Pre-disposition and increased risk of addiction
Some babies also have FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). This condition can have serious developmental issues on the child. They could experience learning and behaviour problems. These babies can have development issues with their muscles, joints, bones, and organs.
They can have difficulties developing effective social skills and managing their emotions, and can exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity. There could also be speech, communication, and cognitive problems.
Can the Baby Recovery from the Effects of a Mother’s Drinking?
Unfortunately, the effects of expecting mothers and alcoholism cannot be fully reversed. The impacts and effects on an unborn baby can become permanent the longer the mother continues to drink while pregnant. Some effects, like low birth weight, can be remedied.
All the other impacts, including FASD, are life-long. The child will have to live with the consequences of their mother’s drinking while pregnant. So, the best the child can hope for is having access to various medical and mental health services. They will require ongoing support, treatment, and therapy to manage their condition.
Can Pregnant Women Get Detox?
Pregnant women can get detox but need to be medically supervised. Inpatient detox programs are highly recommended due to the potential risks of detoxing while pregnant. During detox, the body eliminates alcohol from the body and triggers a series of withdrawal symptoms.
Some of these can pose risks to the mother and her unborn baby, such as seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). With supervised detox, a careful approach is used to ensure the safety of the mother and her unborn child. This approach also helps the mother effectively manage withdrawal symptoms.
Find Alcohol Detox and Addiction Treatment in Canada for Pregnant Women
Expecting mothers and alcoholism can be overcome with the right alcohol detox and addiction treatment centre. At Best Rehabs, we can help you find an addiction treatment centre in Canada in your province with experience in treating addicted pregnant women.
Contact us today to find help near you.