Drinking While Pregnant: Is Any Alcohol Safe During Pregnancy?

Executive functioning is a catchall term that describes the ability to perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, remembering details, and managing time. Dr. Fergus McCarthy and colleagues from Ireland, England, New Zealand, and Australia compared birth outcomes among 5,628 women who were pregnant for the first time between 2004 and 2011. More than half of them reported drinking alcohol during the first three months of pregnancy.

(1) At Home – A stable and loving home, along with a regular routine, simple rules to follow and where rewards are given for positive behavior, is a good environment for children with FAS. There is no specific medication approved for the treatment of FASD but there are different types of medications that can alleviate FASD symptoms including stimulants, antidepressants, neuroleptics, and anxiolytics. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. What to Expect supports Group Black Opens a new window and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership.

Playing it Safe

Women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking any amount of alcohol. The only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome is to not drink alcohol during pregnancy. Many features seen with fetal alcohol syndrome may also occur in children with other disorders. Alcohol has had a long-standing role in culture over time in relation to social connectedness and relaxation. However, overconsumption is linked to a multitude of serious health and social problems, including adverse events such as motor vehicle crashes, violence, unemployment, broken relationships, and unstable housing. For the past few decades, women have been urged to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

• The same amount of alcohol is found in a standard serving of beer (12 ounces), wine (4-5 ounces) or hard liquor (1.5 ounces).
• One might confide that they enjoyed the occasional beer during their pregnancy and feels their child turned out fine, while another sees this as taking an unnecessary risk.
• Your healthcare provider may be able to help you determine the best option for you.
• Impairment of facial features, the heart and other organs, including the bones, and the central nervous system may occur as a result of drinking alcohol during the first trimester.

However, some reports found that babies exposed to alcohol through breastmilk may eat less and/or have changes in their sleeping patterns. If you suspect that the baby has any symptoms, contact the child’s healthcare provider. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drink-alcohol-during-pregnancy/ When a child has some of the findings of FAS, healthcare providers may use other terms, such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The risks from heavy alcohol use and binge drinking have been well established.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Some pregnant women tell me they feel judged when they have a drink. I am not sure how we got to the point that in May 2016, New York City had to clarify guidelines prohibiting bars and restaurants from refusing to serve alcohol to pregnant women. The guidelines – which also apply to selling and serving foods such as soft cheeses and raw fish – are intended to discourage discrimination against pregnant women. Drinking less than this amount has also been known to lead to FASD. This is why we regard any amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy as being unsafe.

The placenta grows in your uterus (womb) and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. It is not safe to drink any amount of alcohol at any time during pregnancy. This includes the first few weeks of pregnancy, when you might not even know you are pregnant.

What if I am pregnant and have been drinking?

It is recommended not to drink any amount of alcohol at any time in pregnancy. If a person who is pregnant is using alcohol it is recommend they stop as soon as possible, no matter how far along they are in their pregnancy. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant and cannot stop drinking, talk with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.