Can an expectant mother enjoy one glass of wine per day with the assurance that no harm will come to her unborn child?
According to most experts, the answer is a resounding no.
September is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (Fas) Awareness month and pregnant women are urged to acquaint themselves with the facts about the syndrome.
According to Anthea Barriel, public relations manager at Westview Clinic in Florida, Fas is a totally preventable condition, but because of labelling, stigma and guilt preventing mothers from seeking help, the syndrome has spiraled out of control. The future does not look good for preventing it either.
“We, with our out-patient departments at Community Health clinics focus on creating awareness among young girls and mothers about the dangers of taking alcohol while pregnant.
We also work with alcoholic mothers in a preventative role,” Anthea said.
According to Anthea 75 per cent of pregnancies in South Africa are unplanned and coupled with the drinking culture, the occurrence of Fas in babies is extremely high (about 64 out of 100 babies are affected).
“About three million people in South Africa are affected by Fas – this is several times higher than anywhere else in the world. But, despite all this, Fas is not prioritised. All the focus is on HIV an TB,” said Anthea.
She also said in an attempt to prevent this disease, they advise expectant mothers not to consume any alcohol at all during pregnancy.
Willem Stassen, ER24 critical care paramedic is in full agreement with this. “There is no safe level or safe period of alcohol intake during pregnancy – it is affected by alcohol clearance rate, foetal sensitivity and the drinking patterns and genetics of the mother-to-be. That is why pregnant women should completely abstain from taking any alcoholic beverages for the duration of their pregnancy. This is according to all international guidelines,” Willem said.
Fas occurs when an unborn baby is exposed to the alcohol the mother consumes and causes deformities and defects in the heart, muscles, kidneys and eyes.
The most devastating effect is the damage to the foetal brain, of which the symptoms could be irritability, reduced brain development, learning problems and weak muscles, to name a few.
Although Fas is preventable, the damage it causes is permanent and irreversible.
Prevention is better than cure, and Willem urged anyone requiring assistance with alcohol abuse to contact Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on 0861 HELP AA (435-722).
For more information on this syndrome visit https://www.fasfacts.org.za.
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