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Young mothers-to-be get lesson on alcohol damage
Women in their mid-30s are most likely to give birth to children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
But young girls are also at risk for giving birth to babies damaged by alcohol.
Programs for pregnant teens make abstaining from alcohol and drugs a priority. One program, Madrecitas, at Pueblo High School, gives girls the information they need to not drink.
"I tell the young women we don't know how much is too much, so they shouldn't drink wine coolers or beer or mixed drinks," said Aida Federico, public health nurse with the Pima County Health Department.
"I get a lot of surprised reactions from this. Many of them really didn't know that they shouldn't drink at all."
When girls are given the facts about alcohol's impact on a developing brain, Federico said, "You should see their reaction."
Education is the key to preventing alcohol damage to babies, Federico said.
"I think when we let girls know the facts, they start being more careful and they abstain from alcohol," she said.
Madrecitas is a weekly class offered to young mothers and pregnant girls. Education and life skills are offered, and the girls are given the support they need to stay in school.
Some of the girls go on to Tucson Unified School District's Teenage Parent Program or Child and Family Resources' Center for Adolescent Parents.
There, they receive more education about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.
Madrecitas encourages girls to get early prenatal care.
"With the early care, we try to prevent low birth-weight babies and birth defects," Federico said. "We let them know how big of a problem fetal alcohol damage is, and that it is the number one problem in the U.S. for mental retardation.
"We let them know if they have good nutrition and don't drink or smoke or use drugs, they are more likely to have a good outcome," Federico said.
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