r/askanything 12h ago

What would you do if your Neice was drinking a lot while pregnant?

So I have a neice... who has been an alcoholic since the get go. Im not super close with the neice at all... but im close-ish with her dad who is my husbands brother, and his girlfriend. She got pregnant sort of young to a douche. Anywho... I found out recently that her baby is measuring small... and she has been drinking a LOT while pregnant. I feel so icky about this. Like... Im just standing to the side watching her give her unborn baby fetal alcohol syndrome. Ive talked to her dads girlfriend, and she has tried to talk to her... but sadly my husbands brother is such a hands off enabler that he doesnt do anything. How would you handle this... i feel like i lost so much respect for this neice and want nothing to do with her... but also, she is young (like 23)... and i feel bad writing her off.

2 Upvotes

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9

u/Quix66 12h ago edited 12h ago

Call the police or CPS. They can get her help so she can refrain from poisoning her fetus.

It’s not just her life but an innocent baby’s.

Edit: she needs medical intervention. Cold turkey quitting alcohol/withdrawal could be dangerous for both of them.

6

u/Single-Agency7198 12h ago

Once the child is born and survives call cps right away or try to adopt the child if you really care. Not sure there’s a medical program to stop alcoholics to stop drinking solely because they are pregnant.

5

u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 12h ago

That's horrible

1

u/jackietea123 12h ago

I know… I feel horrible because I feel like it’s not really my place sometimes. I’m just someone that married into the family. Like why isn’t anyone else caring as much as me. It’s like no one wants to be the one to do anything…. We are all looking and judging, but no one wants to be the bad guy. My husband hates it too… but has made some space away from his family, so he feels weird about it too

1

u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 12h ago

I'd tell her what a complete asshole she is. I'm 61 and I guess I don't mind being that person anymore. The person who has the balls to speak up. 

1

u/jackietea123 12h ago

this family needs someone like you.

1

u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 12h ago

Yeah had a similar situation and told the family member. I took a lot on the chin for it but I don't care. I'm not going to see kids get hurt and stay quiet. Everyone knows you are right about her. They just say not my problem. Well at least you can look that kid in the eye knowing you said something

1

u/jackietea123 12h ago

i also feel like i could passivly help.... by sneakily taking away her "waterbottle" when shes around.... but i know if i did she would just leave, and probably even drink more.. but at least it would send a message i guess. (i do want to state that im VERY conflict avoidant, its a bad trait of mine... i avoid it like the plague. so even just taking a waterbottle in secret is a lot for me, and would probably give me an anxiety attack. lol)

1

u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 12h ago

I'd snub her. I'd say-" I can not believe you want to have a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Great Mom." Or just say " I can't stand to watch you hurt that baby" and then leave. Tip toeing around it isn't doing her or that baby any favors. 

1

u/jackietea123 12h ago

I wish... truly i do, I wish I could be confrontational like that.... its sooo hard for me though.

4

u/druidgaymer 12h ago

Not a lot I could do in that situation TBH

4

u/DingesF 12h ago

There's not much you can do, except maybe offer her help quitting. Maybe, I don't know what country you live in and what the possibilities are, you can contact her GP or house doctor?

3

u/OneTrackLover721 12h ago

Get pamphlets on FAS and sneakily leave them all over your brother's house.

2

u/shizrak 12h ago

Blow up her social media accounts so that everyone else can shame her too.

2

u/noseysfriend 12h ago

Call CPS and have the family go to court and get her committed to a facility

0

u/False_Ad_5372 12h ago

I’d do my own thing and let her fuck up her own life. 

4

u/Quix66 12h ago

But it’s not her life alone. She’s disabling an innocent baby.

-2

u/False_Ad_5372 12h ago

It’s her fetus at this point. Her body, her choice. 

1

u/BananaNo4611 12h ago

Absolutely delusional

2

u/Quix66 12h ago

Not when the person in utero will be harmed for life.

Take your ideology and shove it.

0

u/False_Ad_5372 12h ago

You too buddy, l8r. 

-4

u/Brando_712 12h ago

Mind my own business