Alcohol During Pregnancy: Proven Risks

The Facts Regarding Drinking While Pregnant

Did you know that alcohol use during pregnancy is considered the leading preventable cause of birth defects?

While pregnant, everything you eat and drink affects your baby. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can put your baby at risk of lifelong birth defects and other health complications. The more alcoholic drinks you consume, the greater the risk to your unborn child.

Nutrition and Diet are Crucial During Pregnancy

The important thing to remember is to quit alcohol and start eating healthy foods rich in folate, choline, and other nutrients, as soon as you discover you are pregnant. If you have trouble quitting drinking, you can seek professional help or research alternatives such as CBD oil.

No type or amount of alcohol is considered safe when you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. There’s also no safe period to consume alcohol when expecting a child. Whether it’s a shot of liquor, one beer, or a glass of wine, no drinks are safe.

Possible Effects of Alcohol During Pregnancy on Your Child’s Development

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

The use of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of birth abnormalities and developmental issues, collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

FASD can happen when the alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. It can result in a range of conditions, from mild to severe defects. Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics and behaviors:

• Abnormal facial features include wide-spaced eyes, a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (known as the philtrum), a thin upper lip, and others.
• Small head circumference.
• Eyesight or hearing problems
• Health issues on the heart, bone, or kidney
• Low body weight and height
• Hyperactivity
• Difficulty with focus and concentration
• Speech and language delays
• Learning disabilities

FASD diagnoses are categorized based on symptoms:

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Children with FAS suffer from growth problems and brain damage. Its signs and symptoms vary from physical defects to intellectual or cognitive disabilities.

Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

Children with ARBD have problems concerning their heart, kidney, bones, or hearing abilities.

Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)

Children with ARND have learning and behavioral problems. They have trouble with memory and math in school and usually act on impulse.

Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE)

Children with ND-PAE have difficulties with thinking, behavior, and life skills. They have trouble with memory and forget things they have just learned. They also have behavioral problems such as severe tantrums and uncontrollable moods. Social skills are also affected as they cannot easily get along with other children.

Alcohol During Pregnancy: The Risk of Major Defects in Fetus’ Development

Alcohol during pregnancy has negative impacts on the fetus’ development. When the mother starts drinking as early as three or four weeks into the pregnancy, it can result in possible defects in the baby’s arms, legs, eyes, ears, and heart. It can lead to an unusual facial appearance in the infant.

When the fetus is exposed to alcohol between six to 12 weeks of gestation, the development of teeth, palate, and external genitals can be affected. In addition, the baby’s brain and spinal cord are vulnerable to defects due to alcohol exposure.

Can Drinking Cause Miscarriage?

Studies show that alcohol consumption during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage. A 2019 study shows that an additional drink for mothers who consumed five drinks per week would lead to a 6% increase in miscarriage risk.

Is There a Safe Amount of Alcohol During Pregnancy?

Any amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy might impair your baby’s growing brain and other organs. During pregnancy, there is no safe period to consume alcohol. No amount of alcohol has been demonstrated to be safe at any stage during pregnancy.

If you or someone you love is having difficulty with drinking during pregnancy, you may reach out Rehabs Of Armerica to find out more about your options for treatment.

Fay Smith (Author’s Bio)

Fay’s interest in radiology started when she first became pregnant. Now she regularly contributes to W-Radiology.com. As a mother and an advocate of all things natural, she tried CBD when friends recommended it for common aches and pain. Since then, she has been using CBD products and she tries to impart her knowledge on the topic by writing for CBDClinicals.com.