Alcohol and pregnancy
Most women these days drink a varying degree of alcohol, and it can be one of the hardest things to give up in early pregnancy. Some moms-to-be find they can’t stand its smell or taste once they’re pregnant, which makes it easier!
Alcohol passes through the placenta into your baby – so when you’re drinking that glass of wine, your baby is too. Alcohol can affect your baby’s neurological development, and large amounts can potentially cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which affects a baby’s nervous system, growth and motor skills as well as causing learning, speech and memory problems. It’s one of the most common causes of mental retardation and its effects last a lifetime.
No amount of alcohol is considered safe in pregnancy so the best way to protect your baby is to give it up. This may be difficult if you’re used to drinking when you socialize but you will get used to it and after a few you may feel better for it. Try not to worry about any alcohol you drank before you found out you were pregnant – it’s unlikely to have harmed your baby.
If you need help trying to give up alcohol, speak to your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife or call the National Alcohol and Drug Hopeline 1-800-622-2255.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 05/07/2007
Related Chat 1
alcohol in pregnancy is extremly dangerous and alot of the time causes babies 2 have FAS (fetol alcohol syndrome) or FASD (fetol alcohol spectrum disorder) and alot of parents dont realise that their child has it. fas is very dangerous and its affects are actually worse than drugs as they are life long, some babies will end up being brain damaged which is one of the worst that can happen they can have alot of behaviour problems theyve found cases in which babies at 4 months are having temper tantrums, they can also have facial abnormalities, and not grow as quickly as other babies. i could go on 4ever but i wouldnt have enough room but if you want anymore information u can ask me or look on the internet and just put fas in.
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