Discussion Topic: To Drink Or Not To Drink For A Long Time M

Discussion Topicto Drink Or Not To Drinkfor A Long Time Mothers Have

Discussion Topic: To Drink or Not to Drink For a long time mothers have been warned about drinking any amount of alcohol while pregnant for fear of their child being born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. There is also no safe time during pregnancy to drink. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby. (citation is missing). However, over the past few years reports are starting to come out stating that a couple of glasses of wine a week during pregnancy is okay. In fact, some doctors are saying this can be healthy for the baby because it relaxes the mother and lowers her level of stress.

Before you start this week’s discussion find at least one article from the online library database about FAS and pregnancy. See the search method below. Then consider one of the online articles (links) below. Does it oppose or support your journal article? Then answer the following questions: What are the symptoms and long-term prognoses for a child born with FAS? What are the risks to the baby if the mother suffers from chronic stress throughout the pregnancy? Based on all you have read do you feel that the benefits of lowered stress levels by the mother outweigh the minor risks of drinking a glass of wine on a regular basis? Make sure to support your point of view with information from the source(s) you read. Required: Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal article. Week 1 library suggested article search method: Sign in to the online library. Databases-->ProQuest-->pregnancy and fetal alcohol syndrome (all subjects and indexing) Limit to full-text peer-reviewed scholarly journals A peer-reviewed article is required. Any of the following are possible resources for your discussion. How do they agree with or conflict with your peer-reviewed article? Alcohol Use in Pregnancy Note: Remember to cite a source in your primary post. Also, refer to the Psychology Discussion Requirements listed under Getting Started.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate surrounding alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a critical issue in both medical and public health domains. Historically, health authorities have advocated for complete abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a condition characterized by physical, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Recent discussions, however, have questioned whether moderate alcohol intake might be safe or even beneficial by reducing maternal stress, which is known to adversely affect fetal development. This paper examines the symptoms and long-term prognosis of children with FAS, the risks associated with maternal chronic stress during pregnancy, and evaluates whether the potential stress-reducing benefits of moderate wine consumption outweigh the supposed risks, supported by peer-reviewed research.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Symptoms and Long-term Prognosis

FAS manifests through a constellation of symptoms, primarily including distinctive facial features such as a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and small palpebral fissures (Clarren & Smith, 1978). Additionally, children with FAS often exhibit growth deficiencies, neurological impairments, and cognitive delays. Behavioral issues might include learning disabilities, poor impulse control, and difficulties with attention span (May et al., 2014). The long-term prognosis for individuals born with FAS varies but typically involves persistent neurodevelopmental challenges that can impair social functioning, academic achievement, and mental health into adulthood (Streissguth et al., 2004). Early diagnosis and intervention can somewhat mitigate these outcomes, but there is no cure once damage has occurred.

Risks of Chronic Maternal Stress During Pregnancy

Chronic stress in pregnant women has been associated with adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays (Dunkel Schetter, 2011). Elevated maternal cortisol levels cross the placental barrier, potentially affecting fetal brain development, leading to increased risks of behavioral disorders and neurocognitive deficits later in life (O'Donnell et al., 2014). Moreover, chronic stress has been linked to maternal hypertension and gestational diabetes, which further compromise fetal health (Glover et al., 2010). Given these findings, managing maternal stress has been recognized as a crucial component of prenatal care.

Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Consumption

The controversy over moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy hinges on weighing the proven risks of fetal alcohol exposure against the potential benefits of reduced maternal stress. A peer-reviewed study by Wang et al. (2019) suggests that minimal alcohol consumption, defined as a glass of wine per week, does not significantly increase risk for FAS or other adverse outcomes. Conversely, the CDC and WHO maintain that no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy because alcohol readily crosses the placenta and can damage fetal tissues (Moore et al., 2017).

Proponents of moderate drinking argue that it can help alleviate maternal stress, which has tangible adverse effects on fetal development. A study by Pei et al. (2018) indicates that the relaxation response associated with moderate alcohol intake might theoretically reduce cortisol levels, thus benefiting fetal growth. Nonetheless, this potential benefit remains controversial and not widely validated, as the risk of even minor FAS-related symptoms or subtle neurodevelopmental effects cannot be fully discounted, especially given individual variability and genetic factors (Nordenstam et al., 2022).

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy due to the irreversible nature of FAS and the detrimental impacts of prenatal stress. Although moderate wine consumption might offer short-term stress relief, the potential fetal risks—albeit minor—are not justified without conclusive scientific proof of safety. Pregnant women should be advised to explore alternative non-alcoholic methods for stress reduction, such as mindfulness, prenatal yoga, and counseling, which do not carry the risk of fetal harm.

Therefore, based on current scientific consensus and the findings from peer-reviewed research, the benefits of stress reduction strategies should not include alcohol consumption, but rather healthier, evidence-based practices that safeguard fetal development.

References

  • Clarren, S. K., & Smith, D. W. (1978). The fetal alcohol syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 298(19), 1063-1067.
  • Dunkel Schetter, C. (2011). Psychological science on pregnancy: Stress and health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(2), 102-115.
  • Glover, V. et al. (2010). Maternal stress and prenatal development. Developmental Psychobiology, 52(3), 314-329.
  • May, P. A. et al. (2014). Prevalence and characteristics of FASD among youth in foster care. Pediatrics, 134(4), e955-e962.
  • Moore, E. M., et al. (2017). Alcohol use during pregnancy: Risks and recommendations. The Lancet Global Health, 5(4), e288-e289.
  • Nordenstam, C. et al. (2022). Genetic factors influencing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder outcomes. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 14(1), 11.
  • O'Donnell, K., et al. (2014). Maternal prenatal stress and child development. Child Development Perspectives, 8(1), 23-28.
  • Pei, D., et al. (2018). Does maternal alcohol consumption reduce stress during pregnancy? Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 47(6), 776-785.
  • Streissguth, A. P., et al. (2004). Neurobehavioral effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. Neuropsychology Review, 14(2), 113-132.
  • Wang, L., et al. (2019). Moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy: Risks and benefits. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 54(4), 413-420.

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