Outlook of Alcohol in Pregnancy

Don’t drink alcohol if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Alcohol can cause various problems for the baby at any time in the pregnancy, even before the female even knows she is pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy makes the baby more likely to have birth defects, premature birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

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How does drinking alcohol in pregnancy affect the baby’s health?

Drinking alcohol (including wine, wine coolers, beer and liquor) at any time in pregnancy can cause serious health problems for the baby.

When a female drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the alcohol in her blood quickly passes through the placenta and the umbilical cord to the baby. The placenta grows in the uterus (womb) and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. Drinking any amount of alcohol at any point during pregnancy can harm the baby’s developing brain and other organs.

Alcohol can cause problems for the baby any time during pregnancy, even before the female knows that she is pregnant. The female may be pregnant and not know for up to 4 to 6 weeks, until she notices evident symptoms or a missed period.

Problems regarding growth and central nervous system problems in the baby (like low birthweight, behavioral problems) can occur due to drinking alcohol any time in pregnancy. The baby’s brain development goes on throughout pregnancy and at any time, can be affected with exposure to alcohol.

If a female is drinking alcohol during pregnancy or has addiction to alcohol, it is never too late to stop. The sooner a female stops drinking in pregnancy, the better it will be for both the baby and herself.

Also Read: Smoking and its implications on pregnancy

Why is alcohol in pregnancy dangerous?

Alcohol in the pregnant female’s blood passes to her growing baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol in pregnancy can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, and many other lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities in the unborn.

Such disabilities are known as FADs or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders might have the following characteristics and behaviors-

Abnormal facial features, like a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (known as the philtrum)
Shorter than average height
Small size of the head
Lower than normal body weight
Poor coordination
Hyperactive behavior
Difficulty paying attention
Poor memory
Difficulty in academics
Learning disabilities
Language and speech delays
Low IQ or Intellectual disability
Poor reasoning and judgmental skills
Sleeping and sucking problems as a baby
Hearing or vision problems
Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones

How much alcohol in pregnancy is dangerous?

There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink in pregnancy. A pregnant female is advised, and should strictly avoid any sorts of alcoholic drinks, beverages or any items containing alcohol as a component.

How can a female keep her baby safe from alcohol in pregnancy?

If a woman does not drink alcohol during pregnancy, her baby will not have FASDs or any other health problems caused due to alcohol in pregnancy. If a woman is pregnant or even thinking about getting pregnant, she should never drink alcohol.

Some females may drink alcohol in pregnancy and have babies who seem healthy. Some may have very little alcohol in pregnancy and have babies with serious health conditions. It can widely vary due to unpredictable factors.

Alcohol in pregnancy can hurt a baby. The best way to keep the baby safe from such problems caused by alcohol in pregnancy is to not drink alcohol at all when you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant, do not drink alcohol at any point, in any amount. When you get pregnant, get regular prenatal care. Tell your doctor if you need help to stop drinking alcohol.

Can the male partner’s drinking affect the baby during pregnancy?

FASDs and other alcohol-related health conditions occur when a female drinks alcohol during pregnancy. Research is still ongoing to find out if alcohol can harm a man’s sperm before a female becomes pregnant.