Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essays (849 words) - RTT, Fertility

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome How does alcohol affect the unborn baby? What kinds of effects may result in the child and it will it affect it for the rest of his or her life? Whenever you take a drink, the alcohol readily crosses the placenta and enters the babies bloodstream. However the babies tiny developing system is not equipped to handle alcohol and is effected much more severely than is the mother. Every time you take a drink the unborn baby takes a drink as well. Nobody really knows how much alcohol it takes to harm an unborn baby. As the consumption increases so do the risks. Another report suggests that not only can alcohol cause birth defects it can also create leukemia. This new study included six hundred eleven children younger than eighteen months old, two hundred fifty of who had leukemia. (http://babyzone.com/drugs.htm) Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix. Almost any level of consumption of alcohol can affect the baby during pregnancy. Many sorts of consequences vary from fetal alcohol syndrome to malfunctions in mental or physical development. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is patterns in of malfunctions and disabilities resulting from the pregnant mother drinking. Heavy drinking on a consistent basis or binge drinking on an occasional basis can cause F.A.S.. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is currently the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States. The effects of F.A.S. are not always so drastic. Children are born with less dramatic physical defects. Often though, many individuals with this may look quite normal but may have significant deficits. Such deficits as intellectual, behavioral, and social behaviors. All of these problems may and will prevent the children being born with F.A.S. or alcohol related birth defects from having normal lives. http://members.aol.com/creaconic/fas.html) Drinking early in the pregnancy even before the woman knows she is pregnant increases the chance of having a baby with growth deficiency or birth defects. Forty four percent of woman who drink heavily during pregnancy will have a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Of the other fifty six percent, some will have effects such as minor learning and behavioral difficulties. (http://www.noah.cunyedu/pregnancy/marchofdimes/substance/alc&preg.html) A mothers nutritional status and physical well being may also play roles whether or not the baby can be affected, and to what degree. Also important the less exposure to the fetus the better off it will be. When it is exposed over time daily or on an hourly basis is of vital importance. Many other factors may easily affect the unborn baby. Birth defects can easily range from being a small defect or a serious problem which will always affect the babies life. One example of this is the amount of alcohol the pregnant woman can consume. The time also plays a huge role on affecting the babies status. Obviously, the earlier the mother drinks in the pregnancy the faster and easier you can damage the fetus. Either way drinking at any time during the pregnancy can affect the baby it's just a matter of how much. Drinking the day you become pregnant or the day before the delivery depending on the amount of alcohol that was consumed can badly affect the unborn baby. Another thing that birth defects are dependent on are individual factors of the mother and the unborn child. The mothers body may also be weak with the alcohol letting it affect the baby a lot faster. Plus, the baby may be very weak itself either from alcohol or other factors like smoking . Thus causing the baby to become weak or developing F.A.S.. Other genetic factors or nutritional factors also play a big role on how the baby is going to be. These individual factors are very critical because doctors cannot tell a pregnant woman how much would be safe drink. The only way to prevent F.A.S. and F.A.E. is for a pregnant woman to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages during her entire pregnancy. (http://www.heathtouch.com/level1/leaflets/csap/csap035.htm) Having a baby born with F.A.S. or a problem because of the alcohol can lead to many physical, cognitive and social deficits associated with F.A.S.. Another very important problem is pre-mature birth . Also miscarriages is also a possibility which must not be fun for the mother or the family. The pre-mature baby will most definitely have problems that can persist throughout adulthood. Some of these problems are stunted and slowed growth. The baby may also have lower set facial features. The child may also have a failure to thrive. It may not want to eat and may not grow well. The baby

Canada as a 51st State essays

Canada as a 51st State essays Lately, living in Canada it is becoming clearer that our border with the United States seems to be vanishing. We have as a country always tried to stay independent and to be unique in our own ways. The multiculturalism and the way everyone lives together shows why Canada is one of the top countries. On the other hand Americans see us as if we are no different than themselves. In many cases they are correct, especially so after the September 11th attacks. Before all the worry about terrorism Canada was usually there alongside the United States to support them in their actions. Ever since the attack on the States, Canada was not only asked to be there for the Americans, they were just expected to be there. We helped them greatly by taking in all the people, having all planes land here, giving them support and raising money for the families whose members had lost their lives. Of course Canada never received much recognition for their great and sincere efforts. Lastly, and most importantly is Canadas geographical placement. With the way Canada is placed, having a long and open border with the United States almost melts the two countries together. If the United States was at war it would almost seem like Canada is at war as well. Canada mimics or follows the United States in many ways, sometimes without even realizing that they are doing this. Although Canada is only trying to help their neighbour and try to get along with them, they are also slowly handing themselves over, to become one with the United States and their people. ...