Teratogens

Teratogens

            Teratogens include substances which may produce physical or functional abnormalities to developing human fetus, especially when the pregnant woman is exposed to them. Teratogens cause congenital disabilities or halt pregnancy in extreme cases. Broad classifications of teratogens are maternal infections, chemicals, radiation, and drugs. These drugs include inhibitors, acne medication, alcohol, antidepressants, such as lithium, anti-cancer drug methotrexate, and blood thinner medication. At the onset of the pregnancy, teratogens kill the embryo while exposure during organogenesis causes congenital malformations to the fetus, therefore, pregnant women are advised to refrain entirely from alcoholic drinks.

In particular, alcohol consumption is harmful to the development of a baby, as its intake by pregnant women directs the drug to the umbilical cord, and its effect starts taking a course. Alcoholic drinks, such as wine and beer, are equally harmful to the woman’s health and cause miscarriage and stillbirths to the developing fetus or disorders to babies born later (Popova et al., 2017). Taking alcohol during pregnancy leads to physical disabilities in children, such as small head size, low body weight, and shorter-than-normal body height. Cognitive development is also impaired as children have poor reasoning skills, poor memory, and learning disabilities, especially in math. Behavioral disabilities evident in such children include difficulty with attention, sucking fingers, and hyperactive conduct. Teratogens also result in pregnancy complications, such as pre-term labor, where regular contractions of the uterus and changes in the cervix start before the 37^th week of pregnancy.

The best approach that Sarah can use to stop alcohol consumption is through a gradual reduction in the amount of wine or beer taken. Sarah should reduce the number of glasses first and then lengthen the period between successive drinking; for instance, she can take two glasses per week instead of daily consumption. According to the Centre for Disease Control recommendations, no amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women, therefore, avoiding any beer or wine is the best precaution (C. D. C., 2016). Also, throughout the gestation period, alcohol use will affect the developing fetus, thus the earlier Sarah stops using alcohol, the higher the chance for saving her baby. Sarah should terminate alcohol consumption early before she decides to get pregnant, as the intake of beer or wine on the onset of pregnancy can cause miscarriage or death of the embryo. Besides, she should not wait until positive confirmation of pregnancy is done, instead, she should have refrained completely from alcohol consumption.

In conclusion, Sarah should avoid the consumption of alcohol, especially after getting pregnant. Alcohol, as a form of teratogen, will have adverse prenatal development effects followed by physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities to the child. Also, she might face complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage and pre-term labor. According to the CDC, no amount is safe at any time during the pregnancy, therefore, a gradual reduction of alcohol consumption will be best for her health.

References

1. D. C. (2016). More than 3 million US women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Popova, S., Lange, S., Probst, C., Parunashvili, N., & Rehm, J. (2017). Prevalence of alcohol        consumption during pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders among the general           and Aboriginal populations in Canada and the United States. European journal of          medical genetics, 60(1), 32-48.