Responsibility is a very important word in parenting. Parents should not just decide, 'Let's have a baby' and ignore all other peripherals. When you decide to have a baby, you should realize that you are choosing to be responsible for another life and hence, everything you do would reflect upon it.

The fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting is a very well debated topic. Everyone knows the terrible impact alcohol and tobacco smoke can have on an unborn child. Here are a few very important aspects of fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting.

This article is focusing on the mother because it is the female who carries the baby in her womb and the fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting aspects directly concern her. However men too, need to be equally responsible with drinking and smoking in order to provide as supportive an ambiance to the would-be mother as possible.

If you are a would-be mother who is addicted to alcohol, you need to consider the following steps at once:

1. Inform and consult a doctor about what you need to do to ensure that the baby is not affected by the FAS.

2. Enroll yourself in Alcoholics Anonymous and solicit the group's help and support in shaking off the habit.

3. Enroll in a detoxification center and get rid of the habit with the help of medical supervision and treatment. Make sure they know you are pregnant; some anti-withdrawal medicines can harm the baby.

4. Surround yourself with photographs of healthy and beautiful babies, so it will encourage you to stay away from the alcohol for the sake of the tiny life that is forming inside your womb.

5. Plan many things for the baby. For example, have shopping sprees, theme parties, baby showers, etc all the time so it will keep you motivated to stay off alcohol.

6. Read many books on fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting and understand the dangers of alcohol and your responsibility as a parent well.

7. Keep in mind that you do not have the right to play with the life of another human being - and if you feel that alcohol will still remain your first love - do not have a baby. It is not only the impact of the fetal alcohol syndrome and parenting that is crucial, it is also how you will take care of the baby after it is born, what type of home you will be able to offer him/her and so on. This is a huge commitment and you should be able to fulfill it.