Things To Know About Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or are planning a baby, then you must stop consuming alcohol right away. Even a small amount of alcohol is unsafe during pregnancy. Alcohol can easily cross the placenta and reach the baby's bloodstream. It can damage the baby's growing cells and negatively affect the growth of the brain and spine. In addition, drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a serious disorder known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

What is FASD?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the baby. This can affect the child's cognitive and intellectual development, physical development, and emotional retardation. The problem can range from mild to severe.

Research in the US showed that 40,000 babies have FASD in the US. An estimated 800 to 8000 babies are born with FASD annually in the US.  Kids born with FASD can have distinctive facial features like small heads, narrow eyes, or flat noses. 

Apart from FASD, alcohol consumption is related to miscarriages, stillbirth, premature delivery, low birth weight, and congenital issues. A child whose mother was alcoholic during pregnancy can face physical, emotional, and intellectual issues throughout their life.

What are the Symptoms of FASD?

Globally, medical experts advise complete abstinence from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The symptoms of FASD include the following:

• Miscarriage

• Stillbirth

• Premature delivery

• Low birth weight

• An abnormal facial feature like a smooth ridge between the nose and lips

• Heart disease

• Liver disorder

• Kidney disease

• Poor muscles causing difficulty in balance and movement

• Poor mind-body coordination

• Poor attention span

• Hyperactive disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Poor memory

• Vision problems

• Hearing disorder

• Sleep issues

• Sucking of the thumb

• Shorter than average height

• The small size of the head than average

• Delay in speech and language

• Low IQ

• Learning and intellectual disabilities

• Problems in school as they have issues in understanding and learning

• Cerebral palsy

How to Prevent FASD?

FASD is 100% preventable. The best and only way to prevent FASD is by abstaining from alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy. Sometimes, many women unknowingly consume alcohol during the early stages of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are planning a baby, it is ideal to stop consuming alcohol. Once you know you are pregnant, avoid alcohol at all costs. Remember, even a tiny amount of alcohol can be harmful.

Conclusion

Staying away from alcohol is the best gift you can give your baby. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause long-lasting damage to your child's mental and physical health. Even non-alcoholic wine has alcohol that can be detrimental to your baby. Therefore, complete abstinence from these drinks is required during pregnancy.