Why Shouldn’t Pregnant Women Drink? Done by: Arun Bala M06301

What This Presentation Will Cover Why pregnant women SHOULD NOT drink Number of Pregnant women who drink What are the various complications that occur through alcohol What else should a pregnant woman avoid to prevent stillbirths Sources

Why Pregnant Women SHOULD NOT drink

Statistics Number of pregnant women in Singapore

Drinking Drinking Alcohol can have serious impacts on the baby. Drinking Alcohol can have serious impacts on the baby. As alcohol is small enough to pass through the placenta, it can reach the baby. As alcohol is small enough to pass through the placenta, it can reach the baby. Alcohol affects the brain of the baby. This is will explained later on under Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol affects the brain of the baby. This is will explained later on under Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Also, there is a high chance that the mother might have a miscarriage. Also, there is a high chance that the mother might have a miscarriage.

Diseases Through alcohol consumption, there are several diseases that may occur Through alcohol consumption, there are several diseases that may occur They are: They are: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Miscarriage Miscarriage Brain Deformities Brain Deformities Stillborn (is a condition, not a disease) Stillborn (is a condition, not a disease)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Is a permanent condition characterized by poor growth and damage to the central nervous system. Is a permanent condition characterized by poor growth and damage to the central nervous system. Babies with FAS have abnormal facial features, abnormally small heads and brains; heart, spine, and other anatomical defects. Babies with FAS have abnormal facial features, abnormally small heads and brains; heart, spine, and other anatomical defects.

Miscarriages Chances are higher if pregnant woman drinks during the first 3 months of pregnancy This is because the baby has 3 times the amount of alcohol drunk within its body Even 1 DRINK A DAY COULD CAUSE IT

Stillborn Occurs when the baby is born dead Occurs when the baby is born dead Alcohol causes major organs such as the heart and the brain to shut down Alcohol causes major organs such as the heart and the brain to shut down Thus, the baby dies Thus, the baby dies This is most common in pregnant women who drink seven or more drinks per week, including mixed drinks, wine, and beer This is most common in pregnant women who drink seven or more drinks per week, including mixed drinks, wine, and beer

What else could harm the baby? Even non-alcoholic drinks and drugs could harm the baby. Even non-alcoholic drinks and drugs could harm the baby. Some examples include Coffee, and smoking. Some examples include Coffee, and smoking.

Coffee Contains caffeine which is diuretic. Thus it affects the nutrition of the baby. Also, as it cannot be broken down easily by the babies’ body, it gets stored with the baby. This can be potentially lethal because it speeds up the heart rate of the baby. Thus, it overexerts itself.

Smoking It retards growth and brain development within the baby. It retards growth and brain development within the baby. It also impairs breathing after birth and may sometimes cause premature birth. It also impairs breathing after birth and may sometimes cause premature birth. Its also causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Its also causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) And lastly, it can KILL BOTH MOTHER AND BABY!!! And lastly, it can KILL BOTH MOTHER AND BABY!!!

Sources ink.htm ink.htm ink.htm ink.htm Biology: Life on Earth Textbook by Teresa Audesirk, Gerald Audesirk and Bruce E Byers Biology: Life on Earth Textbook by Teresa Audesirk, Gerald Audesirk and Bruce E Byers