The enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the mother’s
body is called alcohol dehydrogenase. Your baby lacks this enzyme in their own
body and must rely on the mother’s body (via the blood supply through the
placenta) in order to clear alcohol from the baby’s blood stream. This means
that while the levels of alcohol in the mother’s body are one thing, the levels
in the baby’s body are much higher and it takes longer to clear the baby’s
blood stream. Even if it’s just one drink.
This is the cause of the damage that alcohol does
to a baby and why the mother may suffer no ill effects. This is one reason why
they can not determine the exact number of drinks that will cause problems.
Every woman’s body is different and everyone clears alcohol from their system
at different rates. But, whatever the rate, it is much slower for your baby
which means that their developing body and brain are exposed to much higher
levels of alcohol than your own and for a longer time.
When you’re pregnant you are carrying around some
very precious cargo…..is the drink that important? Is it worth the risk?
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