Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

[Guest guest]

Gives us all something to think about there.

God Bless,

Robin, NorthEastern, NY

EDD- July 27th, 2004

Mommy to:

&

(twin boys 7 1/2),

Madison, daughter, 5 years and

Wife to Pup 15 years (October 31, 1988)

Gastric Bypass Surgery-

October 18th 2002

Start-378, current- 246(pregnant)

goal 170 after baby

[Guest guest]

My nephew who is about to turn 18 has suffered the effects of his mothers

drinking.

Everyone thought he was completely normal until he turned 2 - 2.5. Then he

started acting out horribly.

He was later diagnosed with mental retardation and Aspbergers Syndrome. He is

violent and psychotic. Must be on constant psychotropic medications. He has

tried to kill himself and other family member multiple times and cannot ever

live at home with his mother.

The doctors are very sure this has to do with my sister in law drinking and

smoking pot during her pregnancy. She drank almost every weekend when pregnant.

She was a teen mother.

I also have another nephew from a different sister in law who binge drank 2

times during her pregnancy. Her son has severe ADHD and Depression. Is it

linked to alcohol ? Who knows...but I know my sister in law blames herself

because she didn't drink with her other 2 kids and they are just fine.

Chrystal

Wife to Jace - together 6 Years!

Happy Mommy to - 4 Years Old!

New Baby Swenson Due July 28, 2004!

Zookeeper for 2 big dogs and 5 cats who let me feed them!

[Guest guest]

I am not pregnant at this time, but I am a mmember of this group. I am mostly a

lurker but I feel like I can offer my opinion and some information on this

topic. This said here is the information part: as a social worker who works

with people with severe and persistent mental illness it is not always so black

and white. Yes, heavy drinking/drug use in ppregnancy is not a good thing and

can cause a lot of damage but, mental illness/ mental retardation is not always

cased by something that is so easily pinpointed. Often it is genetic, so if you

have family mmemberswith mental illness it could be passed on, and often it is

unclear as to the cause.

this is the opinion part: women are so often seen a vectors for babies, once a

woman becomes pregnant she is no longer a person with her own thoughts a feeling

but she becomes the " host " for a baby. Yes, there is truth to a lot of what you

are told to watchout for when you are pregnant, and I believe in taking

precautions but within reason. So, that said my OPINION is women in France

partake in moderate drinking during pregnancy, women in Japan eat sushi, woman

in Holland eat " questionable " cheeses and they have healthy babies that are

thriving. I think that the key is there is not a one size fits all answer. You

need to do what makes you comfortable and moderation is key with a healthy

pregnancy and all else in life.

Just my opinion.....