Angela Onwuzoo Some pregnant women who have been in the habit of taking alcoholic drinks before conception say it is difficult for them to quit the act during pregnancy despite its possible health risks to their unborn babies. They shared their experiences with PUNCH HealthWise. ANGELA ONWUZOO reports Some pregnant women residents in Lagos State …
Some pregnant women who have been in the habit of taking alcoholic drinks before conception say it is difficult for them to quit the act during pregnancy despite its possible health risks to their unborn babies. They shared their experiences with PUNCH HealthWise. ANGELA ONWUZOO reports
A 28-year-old mother of two, who is pregnant with her third child and simply identified herself as Ada for fear of stigmatisation told our correspondent that she started drinking beer when she was in secondary school, adding that she cannot stay away from it for nine months just because she is pregnant.
“My parents operate a beer parlor in Owerri. So, when I was growing up, I assisted them in the business and the business was largely patronised by men who enjoy drinking. Continuing, she said, “So, that was how I developed the habit of excessive alcoholic drinks intake which has not been easy for me to discontinue during pregnancy. I take at least two bottles of beer a week and whenever I take a bottle of beer, it will reduce my appetite for food and also makes me not throw up.
“Such people can easily look away from alcoholic drinks but not heavy drinkers like us, it is not going to be easy at all. We have to tell ourselves the truth”.Alcoholic drinks intake during pregnancy leading cause of birth defects Physicians have also decried the attitude of some women who underestimate the impact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and still indulge in the act.
The trader and mother-of-three says she has been taking alcohol before pregnancy and has not seen any reason to abstain from it. “When I tried in my second pregnancy to resist alcohol intake again and it failed, I didn’t bother myself anymore. So, I take it whenever I have the urge but I reduced the quantity. I take two to three bottles of stout per week depending on the urge”, she narrated.“Whenever I go to parties and events and they offer me a beer or any other alcoholic drink of my choice, I don’t say no. I have been taking alcohol from the time I was an adolescent.
“Timing of exposure also influences outcomes as certain stages of pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, involve crucial developments in the fetus.The story is the same with other pregnant women who spoke with, as they said that only women who have not formed the habit of taking alcohol would be able to abstain from it in pregnancy., however, revealed that some pregnant women deliberately take alcohol for various unfounded reasons.
The physician explained, “So, the people that are saying there is nothing wrong with alcohol consumption in pregnancy are either addicted to it and there is nothing that they can do about it or do not understand the effect of alcohol and are not bothered about it. “When we advise them, they agreed with us. But the issue is that they will say it is difficult for them to stop. But we are still encouraging them to stop totally.
Egbogu, who works at Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra, stated that at any level, alcohol was not good for the baby. Maternal health experts in the United States under the umbrella of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said alcohol consumption during pregnancy might increase the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage.
The maternal health experts said, “Alcohol use during pregnancy remains a problem leading to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, a range of effects for a foetus that is exposed in utero, including physical problems, problems with behavior and learning, or a combination.
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