A few days ago I posted a couple of responses to the recently published studies in Denmark. Now I want to put in my two cents worth. As a parent living with a child who was prenatally exposed to Alcohol I say DON'T DRINK IF YOU ARE PREGNANT- PERIOD!!!!! It is not worth the risk. Forty+ years of research says other wise - NO amount of alcohol is safe to drink if you are pregnant.
I know - because I live daily with the consequences of just such a decision. My son lives daily with those same consequences. It is difficult on a good day and nightmarish on a bad. Please don't put a child's life second - that decision can change them forever.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Danish Study
Earlier this week a study out of Denmark was published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It has caused quite a stir in the FASD world. Especially for what it does not address and the limited number of women involved in the study. Here are two articles from groups in the U.S. about this study. One from Harvard and one from The Arc (a group representing persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities). They are kind of lengthy but informative.
Read almost any online women’s health forum and you’ll run across this question or a variation of it: “I just learned I’m pregnant, but was out to dinner last week and had a glass of wine. Did I hurt my baby?”
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been taboo for some time—not without reason. Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a constellation of developmental, mental, and physical problems, that can appear in children whose mothers consumed alcohol when they were pregnant. Because no one has been able to identify a clear threshold for “safe” drinking during pregnancy, doctors tell women to steer away from alcohol entirely.
A series of five studies from Denmark published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology looked at the effects of low to moderate drinking during pregnancy. The findings from this work suggest that “low” (1-4 drinks per week) to “moderate” (5-8 drinks per week) alcohol consumption in early pregnancy did not harm the neuropsychological development of children evaluated at age five. In tests of selective and sustained attention, children of mothers who engaged in low or moderate drinking during pregnancy had essentially the same scores as children whose mothers abstained from alcohol. Drinking more appears to be a different story. In one of the studies, five-year-olds whose mothers consumed higher levels of alcohol (9 or more drinks per week) during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have lower attention spans.
The authors of the study do not argue that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is wise or to be encouraged. In fact, most doctors—including me—will continue to advise pregnant women not to drink alcohol.
Do these studies suggest that I am too conservative? Perhaps. But I will need more convincing before I change my recommendation. Only a very small number of women participated in the studies (1,628), the average age was roughly 31 years old, and slightly more than 30% of these women also smoked during pregnancy. In addition, babies born of these pregnancies were evaluated at five years old for IQ, attention span, and executive function (planning, organization, self-control). This is just one snapshot of these children’s development.
What can we take away from this research? For one, mild drinking before a woman realizes she is pregnant is likely not cause for concern. What about low to moderate drinking during pregnancy? The data from these studies say it is unlikely to be a factor in specific neuropsychological problems. Still, the authors of these papers confirm that the most conservative approach is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Expectant moms hope for healthy babies. Some take every precaution, including avoiding soft serve ice cream and unpasteurized cheeses and not cleaning cat litter boxes. Others are more relaxed. Which approach is best for mother and baby isn’t clear. Some expectant mothers become so anxious about every little thing that it darkens the joys of pregnancy. Others don’t pay enough attention to possible harms.
There is no denying that heavy drinking during pregnancy is harmful for babies—and moms. But is there a middle ground? Perhaps. Deciding to have a sip (or glass) of champagne at a special occasion during pregnancy may not be an unreasonable or unsafe choice. In many parts of the world, light drinking during pregnancy is common and culturally acceptable. It’s a choice each woman has to make for herself, ideally after talking with her obstetrician or midwife about this issue.
If there is reassurance to be found in the BJOG studies, it is that women who have consumed a little alcohol before realizing they were pregnant shouldn’t beat themselves up about it. What these studies also confirm is that women who drink more than moderately should seek help, whether they are pregnant or not.
Read almost any online women’s health forum and you’ll run across this question or a variation of it: “I just learned I’m pregnant, but was out to dinner last week and had a glass of wine. Did I hurt my baby?”
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been taboo for some time—not without reason. Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a constellation of developmental, mental, and physical problems, that can appear in children whose mothers consumed alcohol when they were pregnant. Because no one has been able to identify a clear threshold for “safe” drinking during pregnancy, doctors tell women to steer away from alcohol entirely.
The Arc Responds to New Report on Alcohol Intake During Pregnancy
![]()
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Read almost any online women’s health forum and you’ll run across this question or a variation of it: “I just learned I’m pregnant, but was out to dinner last week and had a glass of wine. Did I hurt my baby?”
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been taboo for some time—not without reason. Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a constellation of developmental, mental, and physical problems, that can appear in children whose mothers consumed alcohol when they were pregnant. Because no one has been able to identify a clear threshold for “safe” drinking during pregnancy, doctors tell women to steer away from alcohol entirely.
A series of five studies from Denmark published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology looked at the effects of low to moderate drinking during pregnancy. The findings from this work suggest that “low” (1-4 drinks per week) to “moderate” (5-8 drinks per week) alcohol consumption in early pregnancy did not harm the neuropsychological development of children evaluated at age five. In tests of selective and sustained attention, children of mothers who engaged in low or moderate drinking during pregnancy had essentially the same scores as children whose mothers abstained from alcohol. Drinking more appears to be a different story. In one of the studies, five-year-olds whose mothers consumed higher levels of alcohol (9 or more drinks per week) during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have lower attention spans.
The authors of the study do not argue that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is wise or to be encouraged. In fact, most doctors—including me—will continue to advise pregnant women not to drink alcohol.
Do these studies suggest that I am too conservative? Perhaps. But I will need more convincing before I change my recommendation. Only a very small number of women participated in the studies (1,628), the average age was roughly 31 years old, and slightly more than 30% of these women also smoked during pregnancy. In addition, babies born of these pregnancies were evaluated at five years old for IQ, attention span, and executive function (planning, organization, self-control). This is just one snapshot of these children’s development.
What can we take away from this research? For one, mild drinking before a woman realizes she is pregnant is likely not cause for concern. What about low to moderate drinking during pregnancy? The data from these studies say it is unlikely to be a factor in specific neuropsychological problems. Still, the authors of these papers confirm that the most conservative approach is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Expectant moms hope for healthy babies. Some take every precaution, including avoiding soft serve ice cream and unpasteurized cheeses and not cleaning cat litter boxes. Others are more relaxed. Which approach is best for mother and baby isn’t clear. Some expectant mothers become so anxious about every little thing that it darkens the joys of pregnancy. Others don’t pay enough attention to possible harms.
There is no denying that heavy drinking during pregnancy is harmful for babies—and moms. But is there a middle ground? Perhaps. Deciding to have a sip (or glass) of champagne at a special occasion during pregnancy may not be an unreasonable or unsafe choice. In many parts of the world, light drinking during pregnancy is common and culturally acceptable. It’s a choice each woman has to make for herself, ideally after talking with her obstetrician or midwife about this issue.
If there is reassurance to be found in the BJOG studies, it is that women who have consumed a little alcohol before realizing they were pregnant shouldn’t beat themselves up about it. What these studies also confirm is that women who drink more than moderately should seek help, whether they are pregnant or not.
Read almost any online women’s health forum and you’ll run across this question or a variation of it: “I just learned I’m pregnant, but was out to dinner last week and had a glass of wine. Did I hurt my baby?”
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been taboo for some time—not without reason. Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a constellation of developmental, mental, and physical problems, that can appear in children whose mothers consumed alcohol when they were pregnant. Because no one has been able to identify a clear threshold for “safe” drinking during pregnancy, doctors tell women to steer away from alcohol entirely.
The Arc Responds to New Report on Alcohol Intake During Pregnancy
Earlier
this week, new research from Denmark was released stating that drinking low to
moderate levels of alcohol during early pregnancy will cause no ill effects to
children. Unfortunately, studies like this serve to minimize alcohol's severe
effects on an unborn baby, placing doubt in the minds of mothers about the
actual risk of drinking while pregnant. When studies are released that suggest
alcohol intake can be safe during pregnancy, The Arc takes the opportunity to
speak up and educate the public about the very real dangers of drinking while
pregnant.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 21,
2012
The Arc is concerned about new research released earlier this week
from Denmark stating that drinking low to moderate levels of alcohol during
early pregnancy will cause no ill effects to children. The Arc's over 700
chapters have a long history of raising awareness, educating and providing
training to their communities about the dangers of drinking while pregnant.
Unfortunately, studies like this serve to minimize alcohol's severe effects on
an unborn baby, placing doubt in the minds of mothers about the actual risk of
drinking while pregnant. When studies are released that suggest alcohol intake
can be safe during pregnancy, The Arc takes the opportunity to speak up and
educate the public about the very real dangers of drinking while pregnant.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) describe the range of
effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during
pregnancy. These effects can include physical, behavioral, mental and/or
learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD affects an
estimated 40,000 infants each year - more than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and
Muscular Dystrophy combined.
"Why put your baby at risk? Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
are 100% preventable if mothers abstain from drinking during pregnancy. The Arc
advocates not drinking during pregnancy, and will continue to push this message
because studies like this ignore the fact that completely abstaining takes the
risk of having a baby with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder off the
table," said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.
As other opponents of the study highlighted, there are a number of
factors that weren't taken into consideration that warrant the public's
attention. These include the fact that some developmental delays are not
detected as young as 5 years old, the differences in metabolism amongst women,
and variances in genetic susceptibility.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down
syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other
diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 700 chapters across the country
promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively
supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout
their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
The Arc, together with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Center for
Excellence, recruits and supports the Self-Advocates with FASD in Action (or
SAFA) Network. SAFA was established a little over a year ago to build and support
a network of people with FASDs and give them the platform to be self-advocates.
Editor's Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as
The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or
a phrase.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Dentist
We took Kennan to the dentist last Monday. It is always an experience. He did well in the chair. But the before and after. Trips to the dentist always key him up. I'm not sure what it is - other than it is sensory related- but these twice a year excursions really bring out the worst in his behavior. I can't wait until we can get his dog. I'm hoping that the dog will help him regulate these behaviors better and help him to feel calmer. Then maybe we won't have as much of an emotional swing with these necessary trips.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The End
Yesterday marked the end of Kennan's second grade year in school. Over all he did reasonably well in most subjects. Homework battles have still not been resolved - and I'm not looking forward to next year in this regard. We will have both a new teacher and a new principle - could be a huge nightmare.
The last couple of weeks have been a big roller coaster ride. Lots of ups and downs. Kennan has taken to screaming at us almost anytime we try to give him directions. He will tell us to shut up and that we are always trying to tell him what to do. ( I thought giving direction was what a parent was suppose to do). He is also convinced that we never listen to him - even when he agrees with what we are saying. His favorite phrase is Yes! - but, followed by whatever excuse he is using to do or not to do what it is we have asked of him. His ODD tendencies have hit a new level.
We also ended the year with some minor incidents of stealing and lying. Obviously this is of concern because we don't want him to continue this behavior or for this behavior to lead to major incidents that will get him into real trouble. His reasoning skills however are a bit faulty and often make it difficult for him to grasp why what he did is stealing/lying and why these little things would matter to others (sigh). But we keep trying and hoping that he will eventually get it and will not end up in major trouble.
I'm holding out a little bit of hope that after a week or so of getting into the new summer routine things might settle down for a little bit. But we shall see.
The last couple of weeks have been a big roller coaster ride. Lots of ups and downs. Kennan has taken to screaming at us almost anytime we try to give him directions. He will tell us to shut up and that we are always trying to tell him what to do. ( I thought giving direction was what a parent was suppose to do). He is also convinced that we never listen to him - even when he agrees with what we are saying. His favorite phrase is Yes! - but, followed by whatever excuse he is using to do or not to do what it is we have asked of him. His ODD tendencies have hit a new level.
We also ended the year with some minor incidents of stealing and lying. Obviously this is of concern because we don't want him to continue this behavior or for this behavior to lead to major incidents that will get him into real trouble. His reasoning skills however are a bit faulty and often make it difficult for him to grasp why what he did is stealing/lying and why these little things would matter to others (sigh). But we keep trying and hoping that he will eventually get it and will not end up in major trouble.
I'm holding out a little bit of hope that after a week or so of getting into the new summer routine things might settle down for a little bit. But we shall see.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Fundraising Update
We finally received our new totals and we are up to $2,219.00 in our efforts to raise the necessary money for Kennan's service dog. It is exciting to see the total going up and appreciate all who have helped us this far. We are in the process of organizing another fund raiser here where we live - which we think with take place at the end of July. We will post more information as we get more of it put together. Thanks again to all of you who have helped us get closer to our goal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)