How does alcohol go from a mothers stomach to the fetus brain?

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed into her bloodstream and then passes through the placenta to the fetus. The fetus's liver is not fully developed and cannot process alcohol as well as an adult's liver. This means that the alcohol can build up in the fetus's blood and can cause damage to the developing brain.

Alcohol can also cross the placenta and enter the fetus's amniotic fluid. The fetus swallows some of the amniotic fluid, and this can also expose the fetus to alcohol.

Alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the developing fetus, including:

* Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS): FAS is a cluster of birth defects that can occur when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. FAS can cause a range of problems, including mental retardation, growth problems, and facial abnormalities.

* Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND): ARND is a term used to describe a range of problems that can occur in children who were exposed to alcohol before birth but do not have FAS. ARND can cause problems with learning, memory, attention, and behavior.

* Miscarriage: Alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage.

* Stillbirth: Alcohol can increase the risk of stillbirth.

* Premature birth: Alcohol can increase the risk of premature birth.

For these reasons, it is important for pregnant women to avoid drinking alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol can have negative effects on the developing fetus.