How Does FAS Occur?
The effects of alcohol on the developing fetus can be devastating. Studying the effects of alcohol has proven to be very difficult due to the many variables involved such as the age and weight of the mother, the amount of alcohol consumed and when during the pregnancy the alcohol was consumed. During the first trimester of pregnancy the face and organs of the fetus are forming. It is at this early stage of pregnancy, even before a mother may realize that she is pregnant, that the “face” of FAS is formed. Also at this time, birth defects can occur in organs such as the heart and kidneys. It is in the third trimester when the brain experiences tremendous growth. Alcohol exposure during this time can result in severe brain damage. Alcohol has been shown to cause problems with the function of the placenta and can cause the umbilical veins to collapse. The result of this can be poor oxygen and poor nutrition to the developing fetus. While no one can predict the exact effects of a mother’s d
