Alcohol and pregnancy

In Bujumbura, it’s not uncommon to see a pregnant woman drinking an ice cold beer or some other kind of alcohol. But just how bad does it affect the child-to-be and the mother herself? What are the risks on the long run?-By Joanna Nganda

Dr. Deo Ntukamazina, obstetrician-gynecologist at Roi Khaled Hospital, advices: “in general, a pregnant woman should not drink alcohol. Pregnancy and alcohol do not go together. The placenta passes on the alcohol from the mother to the child in her womb. Too much alcohol, especially during the first trimester of the pregnancy, can have disastrous effects on the baby and mother.” Dr. Deo Ntukamazina goes on saying that alcohol can cause premature birth, miscarriage, and even face abnormalities caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Dr. Deo Ntukamazina explains: “The FAS is a condition that results from alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Problems that may be caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome include physical deformities, mental retardation, learning disorders, vision difficulties and behavioral problems. Although there’s an amount deemed acceptable (2 glasses of wine per day), you never know how the fetus will react to it. The symptoms of FAS are not worth it. I think giving up alcohol consumption altogether during pregnancy is a good, responsible decision.” Unfortunately, this information is yet to discourage some Burundian women. J.N, a young mother, states “I never stopped drinking while pregnant. I tried to avoid it, but I don’t think it’s that bad…my baby was healthy, although a bit small at birth. You know, it’s hard to socialize without a beer!” she exclaims. P.M, who gave birth few weeks ago, admits drinking beer quite often “I only drink it warm, and it’s because I don’t have enough breast milk,” she says.

Alcohol, not needed during pregnancy

Dr. Deo Ntukamazina unravels the myth of ‘kurondera amaberebere’ (to stimulate breast milk production, in Kirundi) “there is no such a thing! Alcohol does not boost the production of breast milk. It is not scientifically proven nor does it make any sense. In fact, all what the mother is doing is breastfeeding a mixture of alcohol and milk to her child, the same amount of alcohol that makes it into the mother’s bloodstream makes it into her breast milk as well.” A pediatrician, Dr. Donathile Siniremera, tells us the impact of heavy drinking during pregnancy on the newborn: “besides being premature, the consequences for the newborn range from mild to serious like a low birth weight, or in the worst cases, the Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome (NWS). Simply speaking, the baby’s organism has been used to alcohol he was receiving during pregnancy, and after birth he is in a ‘craving’ situation. The baby is very agitated, sweats a lot, has fever, cries a lot with a high-pitched voice, etc…the baby suffers greatly.” Concluding, Dr. Donathile Siniremera states that alcohol consumption should be controlled for anyone, let alone for pregnant women, “the alcohol our body needs is naturally produced by the body itself. We do not really need the extra.”