[Kayosun]

Hi all!

We just got a referral from Korea for a very cute baby boy! The only concern we had is the fact that the mother (with irregular bleeding) did not realize she was preg. until near end of month 3 and went out w/her friends and drank some soju (3-4 shots/2-3 times per month).


Anyone else with similar experience? How common is prenatal alc. exposure in Korean adopt. babies?

K.

[kaulana]

From my understanding with the agency this is very common. Soju is a way of life there. My referral's mother drank 500cc (I believe this is 1-2 beers) twice a month for 5 months. My doctor had no problem with this. Its up to you and how comfortable you are with it. We talked with many people about it including a trusted doctor and made our decision from that.

Good Luck with it.

Jennifer

[ahfdragonfly]

We were also told this was very common. I believe the alcohol content is similar to beer & many women don't realize they are pregnant for a few months, (even here in the states!) so some drinking is normal. As long as your Dr is ok with all of the health info, I would say "Go for it!!!"

[lauralm3]

Our daughter's birth mother also admitted to drinking the 500 cc's of beer a couple of times a month for the first 5 months and our pediatrician also said it's very common. I know many women here in the States who drank socially during the first 2 or 3 months of their pregnancies because they didn't realize they were pregnant and, thankfully, they all have happy healthy children! Our little girl is now 8 months old and is thriving.
If you don't accept your little guy, I think you'll spend quite some time waiting for a baby who had perfect pre-natal care.
Best of luck to you & your family!

[sonoran]

I have two baby boys from Korea (18 months and 8 months), both have alcohol exposure. One is on the level of 2 to 3 bottles of soju 20x's per month through the 5th month of pregnancy. The other is daily exposure of soju, beer and western alcohol daily through the 9th month. Niether shows any FAS traits but FAE issue may arise as they grow.

We are very comfortable with the issue that our little guys may or may not face later in life. I am very familiar with the school system (former teacher) and feel that I will be able and willing to advocate for my babies.

I look at it this way. There are unknowns with any child. I have friends that have NEVER touch alcohol, smoked, or tried any type of drugs...their kids have ADD, ADHD, premature, low birth weights, non specific LD..........and they did everything "right".

Our boys are amazing. They are curious, funny, sweet, loving and the greatest joy in our life.

[Kayosun]

Thanx all for your informative responses! After posting here, we did a pre-adoption consultation with two different places (pediatrics depts of two Universities that specialize in reviewing files/pics of internationally referred babies).

Both Dr's informed us that pre-natal alcohol exposure is fairly common in Korean referrals (about 15 - 30% plus). They also informed me that the amount of alcohol exposure of my baby (about 2 - 3 beers a month for the first 3 months) is low and that given the lack of FAS facial characteristics, good stool, bottle intake and sleep patterns of the baby as well as the growth progress, that they felt that the baby is in pretty good shape.

Of course they tempered their comments with "no amount of alcohol during pregnancy is ok," and that they are "optimistic" with the future of the child given the positives.)

So, with everything considered, we accepted the referral! We are just sooo excited!http://forums.adoption.com/images/smilies/banana.gif


We are hoping to meet our baby sometime this coming June!http://forums.adoption.com/images/smilies/love01.gif


K.

3/06 - Placed on baby boy waiting list
12/06 - Home study complete
2/06 - Referral!

[hopeful2adopt]

Congratulations on accepting your referral!!! I'm so glad for you that everything worked out!!