As an RN, its not hard for me to give patients (complete strangers) information or advice on sensitive subjects. However, today I am having the hardest time figuring out how to knock some much needed sense into a close friend's head! I need some advice and encouragement STAT!!
This friend is 4 mos pregnant and she is literally drowning her baby in wine. I met up with her and another girlfriend last weekend at a restaurant. The two of them had been hanging out all day before I met them at the restaurant. Long-story-short....the other girlfriend informed me the next day that "Preggo" had downed a whole bottle of wine (and then some) earlier in the day. And this seems to be happening on a regular occasion, according to the other friend.
I want to shove pictures of babies and children born with FASD in her face and yell, "IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN??!!". But I'm asking for your suggestions and advice before I do that :) Any stories, links to great resources, etc. are very much welcomed as well.
I would put it to her this way, are you ready to be a special needs parent? Are you ready to take care of this child for the rest of your life? Because it won't be just 18 years, it will be forever with a child with a host of problems. I have a hard time imagining why anyone would do this to their baby. If you don't want the baby give it up for adoption. There are plenty of people in this world who would love to adopt a baby. People like that just make me sick, they really do.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy at any gestational stage, including the six to eight weeks most women don't know they are pregnant. Are you prepared to report every women that has had a sip of wine while pregnant? You could include my wife in this too, she had a few ounces of wine while pregnant.
Outside of reporting, talking to your friend and offering some facts may help her and her child.
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
I would put it to her this way, are you ready to be a special needs parent? Are you ready to take care of this child for the rest of your life? Because it won't be just 18 years, it will be forever with a child with a host of problems. I have a hard time imagining why anyone would do this to their baby. If you don't want the baby give it up for adoption. There are plenty of people in this world who would love to adopt a baby. People like that just make me sick, they really do.