The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome And Parenting » Parent Plaza

Parenting is synonymous with responsibility. Parents should not just decide, ‘Let’s have a baby’ and ignore all other considerations. When you decide to have a baby, you should realize that you are choosing to be responsible for another life and hence, everything you do would reflect upon it.

The fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and parenting is a subject that has been thoroughly studied and debated over the years. Everyone knows the terrible impact alcohol and tobacco smoke can have on an unborn child. Here are a few very important aspects of fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting.

The fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting directly affects the mother since she is the one carrying the baby in her womb. However men too, need to be equally responsible with drinking and smoking in order to provide as supportive an ambiance to the would-be mother as possible.

If you happen to be an alcohol addict or heavy drinker and you are pregnant, then immediately consider the following actions:

1. Consult your doctor for advice on what you must do to minimize the impact of FAS on your baby.

2. Enroll yourself in Alcoholics Anonymous and solicit the group’s help and support in shaking off the habit.

3. Employ the services of a detoxification center and rid yourself of the habit with the help of medical supervision and treatment. Make sure they know you are pregnant; some anti-withdrawal medicines can harm the baby.

4. Surround yourself with photographs of healthy and beautiful babies, so it will encourage you to stay away from the alcohol for the sake of the tiny life that is forming inside your womb.

5. Make many plans for the baby. For example, have shopping sprees, theme parties, baby showers, etc all the time so it will keep you motivated to stay off alcohol.

6. Read many books on fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting and understand the dangers of alcohol and your responsibility as a parent well.

7. Realize that it is not within your civil rights to play with the life of another human being – and if you feel that alcohol will still remain your first love – do not have a baby. It is not only the impact of the fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting that is crucial, it is also how you will take care of the baby after it is born, what type of home you will be able to offer him/her and so on. You should be able to fulfill the commitment you make to the unborn child when you decide to have a baby.

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