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Drinking Alcohol during Pregnancy

What Effect does Alcohol Have on Your Pregnancy?

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One of the most commonly asked questions among pregnant women is, “Can I drink an occasional glass of wine while pregnant?” Most pregnant women are willing to do anything to ensure the health and well being of their unborn child. Giving up alcohol is often however, one of the most difficult 'indulgences' a mom-to-be might face during her nine months of pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a rewarding and memorable experience, but it does require some sacrifices. The fact of the matter is that no level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has proven to be 100% safe.

For that reason alone you should avoid alcohol during pregnancy. The U.S. Surgeon General and Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as your physician recommend that you abstain from drinking alcohol during your pregnancy.

Most women are aware that heavy drinking will harm their fetus, potentially causing life altering birth defects. Heavy alcohol drinking can also lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, or stillbirth.

The controversy exists surrounding the occasional drink, and there are no definitive risks truth be told that can be associated with occasional consumption. The consensus however remains among health professionals that pregnant women are far better abstaining from alcohol completely.

What is fetal alcohol syndrome?
Heavy alcohol drinking (5 or more drinks on one occasion), during early pregnancy, can cause a spectrum of birth defects know as the fetal alcohol syndrome. Moderate drinking throughout your pregnancy may also produce problems.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a combination of physical and mental birth defects that can result when a women drinks alcohol heavily during her pregnancy. When a pregnant woman has a glass of wine, beer, or mixed drink the alcohol will pass through the placenta to the developing baby. The baby may suffer life long consequences as a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause brain damage, deformities of the baby's face, and growth defects. Defects may be seen in the baby's heart, liver, and kidneys. The baby may develop vision and hearing problems as well. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome have difficulties with learning, attention, memory, and problem solving.

What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?
Moderate drinking during pregnancy has been linked with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This term covers a wide range of disorders that can occur in babies and children who are exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The disorders involve physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities.

Among the more common fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include:

• Alcohol related neural developmental disorder - also called ARND, this disorder typically manifests as functional or cognitive impairments.
• Alcohol related birth defects - or ARBD, are birth defects that may include heart, skeleton, kidney and other organ malformations.
• Fetal alcohol effects - perhaps the most common, FAE is a term used to describe several different conditions that do not meet the criteria for full blown fetal alcohol syndrome.

No level of alcohol use during pregnancy can be recommended as safe. Everything a mother consumes passes through her placenta to her unborn child, and therefore has the potential to affect the fetus in several different ways.

Is any kind of alcohol safe during pregnancy?
No form of alcohol can be recommended during pregnancy. A mixed drink, glass of wine and can of beer contain roughly the same amount of alcohol, and may incur an equal amount of damage to your unborn fetus.

I just found out I am pregnant and have been drinking. What should I do?
If you drank occasionally before realizing that you were pregnant, chances are you did not harm your baby. You should immediately abstain from drinking however and continue to do so throughout your pregnancy.

Is it ok to drink while breastfeeding?
Generally the medical community recommends that while breastfeeding women abstain from alcohol use. Small amounts of alcohol can be passed into the breast milk and onto your newborn infant.

What do I do if I have a problem with alcohol?
The best thing you can do is seek out help and support. Work with your physician to identify support resources in your area. You can also check out many national organizations including:

• Alcoholics Anonymous - http://www.aa.org
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - http://www.ncadd.org
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - http://www.nofas.org