Drinking while pregnant?

Is there a safe amount of alcohol that mothers can have while pregnant? Find out the latest.

Dec 1, 2006 Brenda Lane

Effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are well-documented. What do we know about the effect on the baby while consuming even small amounts of alcohol?

Mothers have long been told that alcohol is not safe for the growing baby. However, it appears that some mothers may be drinking some alcohol, but choosing to do it quietly.

It is not unusual today to hear that drinking alcohol in moderation or after the first trimester is safe during pregnancy. A number of celebrities have admitted to drinking after the first trimester. In fact, some estimate that about 1/3 of mothers between 25-44 years of age have consumed alcohol at some time or another during pregnancy.

Are there safe amounts of alcohol during pregnancy?

The truth is that any amount of alcohol may harm your baby. The Surgeon General's press release indicates that there is actually a range of problems that affects babies exposed to alcohol, otherwise known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. These effects can range from subtle learning disabilities to central nervous system disorders and facial anomalies.

In some cases, alcohol effects may not be seen for years. Researchers from the UK in a 2001 study saw more behavioral problems with children ages 6-7 if their mothers consumed even small amounts of alcohol during their pregnancies in comparison to women who did not consume any alcohol.

It is best to avoid any alcohol and contrary to a growing public opinion, there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy.

What are your thoughts about drinking while pregnant? Let us know.

For the series on other substances to avoid, click here.

The copyright of the article Drinking while pregnant? in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Drinking while pregnant? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Champagne

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Comments

Sep 9, 2008 1:53 PM

Guest :

my name is saleisha and i would like to know what drinking while your pregnant can cause?

Oct 14, 2008 1:40 AM

Guest :

my name is lauren and i drink quite alot. how can this affect my baby?

Oct 15, 2008 7:51 PM

Guest :

* low birth weight
* small head circumference
* failure to thrive
* developmental delay
* organ dysfunction
* facial abnormalities, including smaller eye openings, flattened cheekbones, and indistinct philtrum (an underdeveloped groove between the nose and the upper lip)
* epilepsy
* poor coordination/fine motor skills
* poor socialization skills, such as difficulty building and maintaining friendships and relating to groups
* lack of imagination or curiosity
* learning difficulties, including poor memory, inability to understand concepts such as time and money, poor language comprehension, poor problem-solving skills
* behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal, stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety

Oct 22, 2008 6:54 AM

Guest :

i am not pregnant but it is bad to drink while pregnant

Oct 22, 2008 4:36 PM

Guest :

The person above me is right and there is plenty more. Try looking into Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Here are some more side affects
Small body size and weight
Deformed ribs and sternum
Curved spine and hip dislocations
Bent, fused, webbed, or missing fingers or toes
Facial abnormalities
Skin webbing between eyes and base of nose
Drooping eyelids
Nearsightedness
Failure of eyes to move in same direction
Low-set or poorly formed ears
Organ deformities
Heart defects or heart murmurs
Kidney and urinary defects
Central nervous system handicaps
Small brain
Faulty arrangement of brain cells and connective tissue
Mental retardation -- occasionally severe
Learning disabilities
Hyperactivity in childhood

Oct 28, 2008 6:13 AM

Guest :

i have drank a few times while i have bin pregnaut and am worried it harms the baby,how much can it harm???

Nov 9, 2008 11:39 AM

Guest :

Does your child get addective to drink if u are pregant and drink ??
Like drugs ??

Nov 17, 2008 3:57 PM

cassie885 :

It's certainly contrary to much of popular belief and previous governmental/scientific advice, but there's actually evidence to back up the idea that having the occasional drink can be beneficial for your child, affecting their social and cognitive behaviour for the better.
They're clearly not advising that women can drink like a fish, 7 nights a week (!!), but drinking moderately - ie. on special occasions or once/twice a week - can help "mellow" your child.
Have a read, there's a good article on it at the following site...
http://www.foodeu.com/articles/Drink+Lightly+For+Calm+Children.aspx
Hope this helps!
Cassie

Nov 19, 2008 2:05 PM

Guest :

Drinking while pregnant can harm the baby!

Nov 30, 2008 9:51 AM

Guest :

What are the odds that my baby would have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome after having one glass of wine?

Dec 5, 2008 5:17 AM

Guest :

I had no clue I was pregnant and I was probably about a week pregnant and I drank and I'm worried.. Should I be?

Dec 17, 2008 2:31 PM

Guest :

(QOUTE) "I had no clue I was pregnant and I was probably about a week pregnant and I drank and I'm worried.. Should I be?"

A week pregnant while drinking probably wont harm the baby to a severe case, as long as you dont drink the rest of your pregnency. I am sure your fetus is okay, as long as you didnt have a lot of alcohol during the week of an unknown pregnancy.

Dec 26, 2008 4:11 PM

Guest :

((Quote) A week pregnant while drinking probably wont harm the baby to a severe case, as long as you dont drink the rest of your pregnency. I am sure your fetus is okay, as long as you didnt have a lot of alcohol during the week of an unknown pregnancy.)

Hey are you sure about this comment you just made..i am a bit worried also...about this subject. it was one night only not the whole week?

Dec 27, 2008 7:45 PM

Guest :

Our girlfriend is now 22 weeks pregnant and didn't realize she was pregnant for the first 20 weeks, and drank excessively.What are the chances of FAS? She is still partaking in the odd glass of wine-we need to consider an intervention but are not sure how to handle this.

Jan 10, 2009 8:17 PM

Guest :

I had a glass of something to drink tonight. I'm 3 months along and have not had anything to drink before and will not have any again. I'm so worried and regret what I did. Are the risks still the same for the amount I've ingested?

Jan 12, 2009 8:11 PM

Guest :

my name is Kathry. i think its stupid to drink while pregnant.!
i mean y would u want to take the chance of your baby having behaviorl problems or learning disabilities. my "friend" is suppose to be pregnant ... she the kind of person that would NEVER harm a child. but she has bin hanging around with the wrong ppl and i think they have changed her. so is she really pregnant or is she lying to get attention?!

Jan 16, 2009 7:18 AM

Guest :

IT IS STUPID TO DO ANYTHING THAT MAY HARM YOUR CHILD OR DELAY THEM IN ANY WAY. JUST THINK IF THEY CAME OUT WITH ONE WORKING EYE OR ONR ARM? COULD YOU LOOK YOUR CHILD IN THE EYE WITHOUT FEELING THE REGRET OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE? KNOWING THAT YOUR NIGHT OF FUN CAUSED A LIFETIME OF STRUGGLES AND ANGUISH IN YOUR CHILD? THINK ABOUT THAT. YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR PARTYING WAYS FOR 9 MONTHS. THATS IT. IF YOU ARE TOO SELFISH TO DO THAT, THEN YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE A PARENT. THERE ARE WOMEN OUT THERE WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HAVE A BABY BUT ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE ONES WHO GET PREGO. AND TAKE IT LIKE ITS NO BIG DEAL. THATS MY THOUGHT.

Feb 8, 2009 5:58 PM

Guest :

Think about it. Anything in your blood is in your baby's blood too. Don't put poisons in your system. Putting a bottle or cigarette to your mouth is the same thing as holding it up to your fetus' mouth. Don't be stupid. Are 9 months of soberness so bad that you would rather raise a handicapped child for 30 years? Come on!

Feb 9, 2009 6:12 PM

Guest :

you people are misguided fanatics! the first couple of weeks that you drink without knowing you're pregnant (conception to the first missed period) are not going to affect the baby because it has not yet even imbedded onto your uterine wall. don't worry about those days. other than that try to avoid drinking during the remainder of the first trimester because the babies brain and body are developing and that is where the most risk in developmental mishaps lie. other than that, just stick to the guideline of one or two 'units' once or twice a week, or nothing at all, if you prefer.

Feb 10, 2009 4:30 AM

Guest :

my name is camille an im going to say its stupid drinking while preganant !!!

Feb 19, 2009 8:25 AM

Guest :

I am Pregnant, and i got drunk 4 times during the holidays but during this time i did not know i was pregnant.Will this hurt my baby?

Mar 16, 2009 7:02 AM

Guest :

when i was pregnant with sarah i drank and took drugs i did everything
then she got really ill so i took her to hospital and three hours later the doctors told me that her heart and lungs hadnt developed properly and she died and i can never forgive myself for that.

Apr 5, 2009 2:06 PM

Guest :

Guest :
"when i was pregnant with sarah i drank and took drugs i did everything
then she got really ill so i took her to hospital and three hours later the doctors told me that her heart and lungs hadnt developed properly and she died and i can never forgive myself for that."
IF your drinking and drugging during pregnancy were there direct cause of this child's birth defects; thus, leading to her death. You should be criminally prosecuted! If you were drunk behind the wheel of a vehicle and caused someone's death you would be charged. I cannot understand why we do not prosecute mother's who are the direct cause of their child's death as a result of substance abuse.

Apr 29, 2009 4:43 PM

Guest :

can enough kill the baby???

May 4, 2009 4:21 PM

Guest :

I know I drink sometimes, but, I am not sure if I am pregnant or not. I have taking a lot of pregnancy test kits and they still show that I am not pregnant. I gave myself two week before testing and still not showing any results. I don't drink alot but to have fun a little. and still I am not sure if I am pregnant because I haven't miss my period yet. and I will be tomorrow if it doesn't come. however, can I still drink or not. Will this harm me and the baby if I am pregnant or not.
Unknown.

May 11, 2009 12:31 PM

Guest :

I have a friend that is 13 weeks pregnant and last week we drank about 4 cans of beer and know she is really worried about the baby..will there be anything wrong with the baby..

May 18, 2009 7:30 PM

Guest :

treat your unborn baby just like you would a newborn child.. would you put a full glass of wine in your newborn babys bottle? how about a shot of tequila? chances are, you would not! think of it that way.. EVERYTHING you consume your baby consumes.

May 18, 2009 7:33 PM

Guest :

treat your unborn baby just like you would a newborn child.. would you put a full glass of wine in your newborn babys bottle? how about a shot of tequila? chances are, you would not! think of it that way.. EVERYTHING you consume your baby consumes.

May 25, 2009 9:18 AM

Guest :

hi saleisha drinking while pregnant can cuase your child to be born with fetal alcohol syndrome & can make your baby have reduced growth,behavioral problems,unusual facial features,& can also cause mental retardation. Drinking while pregnant is the main cause of mental retardation in the U.S

Jun 29, 2009 8:24 AM

Guest :

my sister just found out she was pregnant because she doesn't know when her last missed period was they are estimating her at 11-12 weeks along. She has a scheduled Dr. appt. Friday so she hasn't received an ultrasound or sonogram yet. She is considering an abortion because she has drank on occasion worried about defects. Any advice out there that I could give her?? Planned PArenthood said there was no way of knowing and she would just have to wait and see. If it's only been a couple of times I wonder if it would cause serious effects ti the fetus.

Jun 29, 2009 2:02 PM

Guest :

thanks Brenda

Jul 13, 2009 12:42 AM

Guest :

I am pregnant and like all of you, I was also curious as to whether or not drinking was a terrible thing. This is what I found...

Dr Eric Jauniaux, professor of obstetrics and fetal medicine at the Royal Free hospital in London:

"Alcohol is mainly metabolised by the liver, and only what's left will be met by the placenta. The amount that could reach the fetus in a glass of beer or a glass of wine is negligible."


Obviously, drinking heavily while pregnant is dangerous, and can lead to FASD. But no study has been able to correlate moderate drinking to birth defects. The studies used to promote abstinence from drinking are based on results from heavy drinkers. Why do they blur the lines to make it apply to drinking across the board? Basically, pregnant women can't be trusted to know where moderate drinking ends and heavy drinking begins, so let's tell them all not to drink.

Aug 4, 2009 10:44 AM

Guest :

I do not want to aound negative, but there are alot of comments on here that I found scary to read! I think you all should realize the best person to answer your concerns is your OB. If you are recieveing prenatal care, that is where you will get the best answers to your questions. You must be honest and open with your doctor. They will know what signs to watch for during your pregnancy. There are a couple of good comments here, but please speak with your doctor. They have heard it all, seen it all, and if your baby is born with problems, they will find out anyway!

Sep 14, 2009 12:41 PM

Guest :

As you see below, about all the causes of drinking while pregnant, well i think the answer is to just keep your self healthy and have a good and fit pregnancy, and then your baby will befit and healthy.

Nov 4, 2009 3:38 PM

Guest :

I have just been drink alcohol and fount out im pregnant will my baby be ok ????

35 Comments