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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Home / Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / Alcohol Exposure: Not Even Once

Alcohol Exposure: Not Even Once

September 29, 2015 By Site Admin

drinking alcohol during pregnancy

It’s a common conception that alcohol and pregnancy should not mix, but what are the biological factors that go into play? What exactly happens in utero that makes this combination so dangerous for an unborn child?

Biological Aspects and Impact

Unborn children absorb their nutrition straight from their mothers via the placenta. The placenta is attached to the baby directly through the umbilical cord, which serves as the channel for all of the life-giving substances that the baby needs to survive.

When a mother drinks alcohol, it travels throughout her body via the bloodstream. The alcohol also makes its way directly into the baby’s blood supply. This is because alcohol’s particles are very small and easily make their way through tiny passages in the placenta, causing the baby’s blood alcohol content to be the same as the mother’s. Since that alcohol is more concentrated in the baby’s small body, it has the potential to stunt the growth and development of the baby’s vital organs.

Alcohol is eventually metabolized by the mother’s liver, causing its effects to come to an end. However, because an unborn child’s metabolizing organs are not finished developing, the alcohol remains in the baby’s system and causes prolonged exposure to the harmful effects of the alcohol.

Alcohol’s Effects

Prolonged exposure to alcohol is the culprit behind the potential birth defects, slow development, and learning problems of children who experienced alcohol while in the womb. These problems are commonly referred to as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and will continue to be hurdles throughout a child’s life. This includes anything from learning disabilities and depression to physical deformities and neurological issues.

What Can You Do?

The majority of prenatal alcohol exposure takes place in the early weeks before a woman is aware that she is pregnant. If you feel that you may have exposed your baby to alcohol while in utero, contact your pregnancy care physician.

In addition to watching what you drink, it is important to know what to eat (and what not to eat) when pregnant. Learn all about this topic and many others in our knowledge center and blog.

If you need a physician or pregnancy advice, the at All About Women is always available for counseling, prenatal testing, or more information surrounding pregnancy risks. Contact us if you wish to make an appointment, or if you have any concerns about your own health or the well-being of your baby.

Related readings...

Top Foods to Boost Your Immune System During Pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes: Reducing Your Risk
An Apple a Day: How Eating Fruit Could Make Your Baby Smarter
Combatting Hypertension during Pregnancy

Filed Under: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Tagged With: nutrition, pregnancy care, prenatal care

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Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


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(386) 754-1744


   

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


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Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

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