Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy

Introduction (1/1)

• It is known that the development of a baby in the womb relies deeply on the mother's everyday choices.
• We believe that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is a problem in the United States.

Introduction (2/2)

• A potential solution to solving this problem is to increase education on the effects to the unborn child when consuming alcohol.
• We can achieve this by creating a visual on the long term effects, spreading more awareness, warning mothers about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and providing help resources and support for alcoholic mothers.

Key terms

• FASDs - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - Problems that can occur in babies whose mothers drank during pregnancy.
• Premature birth - baby is born 3 weeks earlier than expected due date.
• Miscarriage - Baby dies before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Problem (1/2)

• Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a problem in the U.S. because according to the CDC, 1 in 10 pregnant women (10.2%) reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days.
• Babies in the womb affected by alcohol consumption can have long lasting disabilities and negative effects during their life such as learning problems, behavior problems, deformities, etc.

Problem (2/2)

• According to the textbook, the life expectancy of individuals with FASDs is only 34 years old.
• Additionally, the main causes of death in individuals with FASDs include suicide, accidents, drug/alcohol poisoning, etc.

Developmental Effects (1/2)

• Drinking while pregnant has a number of developmental consequences for both the mother and the baby. Premature birth, birth deformities, brain damage, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are all risks for the child. Although not all pregnant women who drink have these problems, the statistics are alarming.
• There is no such thing as a safe amount of alcohol to consume when pregnant.

Developmental Effects (2/2)

• It’s been suggested that drinking during the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and that the baby may be born prematurely. There are others who have already attempted to rationalize the practice of drinking while pregnant.
• Regardless of how society addresses the issue, all types of alcohol are considered harmful during pregnancy.

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Our Solution

• In order to decrease alcoholism among pregnant women, several measures can be taken: - Educate both parties on the effects alcohol can have on an infant - Provide resources where help can be received

wHY OUR SOLUTION WORKS

• Educating pregnant women prevents: - Social isolation and denial of pregnancy -Avoidance medical care -Risk of avoiding detection -Fear of detection

SOLUTION coUNTERPOINT

• According to studies, one of the most effective ways to prevent alcohol consumption in pregnant women is not education, but increasing the price of alcohol instead.
• Studies have shown that a 10% increase in the price of alcohol will lead to a 5-8% reduction in alcohol consumption.

Citations/sources

• www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0924-pregnant-alcohol.html.
• https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html
• https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/alcohol-during-pregnancy.aspx