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Originally Posted by poohbear1208
Hi, our social worker just called us regarding a potential situation. Birth mom is due Dec. 4 and drank 3-4 drinks a couple of times a week until August. This seems excessive to me, but I don't really know anything about FAS. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
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THe other gals who posted before me said it so well that I don't have much to add except to second what Heartbeat said about what is admitted and what is reality. From me experience (two adoptions), what was admitted about substance abuse during pregnancy prior to birth was not what was actually revealed following the birth of our children.
THere are so many factors to take into account. Really, it could be nothing, depending on how much she really drank, the timing of it, her metabolism, even if there were other substances involved. But it also could be EVERYTHING. I have learned that if you open yourself upto these situations, you have to be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. One drink can do lots of damage, much drinking very little. It's a gamble, however you look at it.
So far, my kids seem okay, although they both have already faced challenges even at their age. But from the early intervention specialists we have seen, the counseling we have received pre/post placement we know that we won't know with certainty about what effects our kiddos have in total until maybe early teens, when they start having to make independent, logical choices.
We took the risk based on what we were told and found out later that there was more substance use than initially thought. That was HARD. BUT... I am Momma to two of the most AMAZING, WONDERFUL little people I have ever met. I wouldn't change a thing. It doesn't mean we don't live with a boatload of uncertainty, but we are hoping that they will be well.
I do believe there is hope as I know that even though the alcohol consumption can physically change things in the brain I also believe that the environment and special attention that a child receives can be an intervening factor in helping kids reach their full potential.
Gotta go... my Bug just got home...