In the UK there is an estimate of 800,000 babies born a year. Out of that about 6,000 babies are born with some type of fetal alcohol spectrum. This disorder can cause brain damage, physical problems, and learning disabilities. 18% of expectant mothers binge drink while pregnant and one third of women smoke while pregnant. A lot of babies are dying because of miscarriage or stillbirth caused by their mother smoking while pregnant. This avoidable human tragedy is costing NHS a lot of money. A study was found that teenagers are more likely to be aggressive and behave badly if their mothers drank early in their pregnancy. Not being healthy while pregnant can have an effect on the child for a lifetime. Researchers say the only way to get these mothers and mothers-to-be on the right track is by helping them and not preaching at them.
Not only are the women drinking and smoking while pregnant in the UK but it happens almost everywhere else in the world too. Some areas aren’t as bad as the UK but there shouldn’t be any cases where unborn children are suffering from diseases that could be prevented as easily as putting down a bottle of wine or a cigarette. A lot of children are suffering long term and short term as a result of their mothers not taking care of their bodies while pregnant. Money and services are being poured into taking care of these children when these illnesses and diseases could be prevented so those services can go to those illnesses that can’t be prevented.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/11/smoking-drinking-pregnancy-harms-babies
2 comments:
I agree it definitely isn't only the UK it's in the US as well. I even witnessed a pregnant lady at a party and drinking. It really upset me because i feel if you re pregnant you shouldn't be nowhere near a party there's nothing there'd for you to do but to harm your child or accidentally get your belly bumped into because of the crowd. It really upsets mr when soon to be mothers think more about themselves than their child
I think money should be focused on helping these women before the pregnancy. This would prevent some of the still births that is taking place. It is unfortunate that children are suffering long term because of the actions of the mother. There has to be a way that more people can get involved to prevent the increasing number of miscarriages and still births.
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