Is it Safe to Consume Alcohol when Pregnant?

While it has been well-known for some time that alcohol consumption can be dangerous in pregnant women, it is still not known just how much alcohol must be consumed before there is danger to the fetus. It’s considered conventional wisdom that pregnancy and alcohol do not mix, but there are a number of health-care practitioners who believe that a small to moderate amount of alcohol consumption when pregnant is not detrimental to mother or baby. So, is it safe to consume alcohol when pregnant? Or should even moderate consumption be avoided, just to be on the safe side?

Pregnancy and alcohol are a controversial topic, mainly because the effects of too much alcohol on fetal development are well-documented and severe. Women who consume alcohol when pregnant need to realize that everything they take in goes directly to the baby as well. The first three months of a baby’s development are particularly critical. If however, you had a few drinks during your early pregnancy, while you were still unaware that you were pregnant, there’s nothing to worry about. It is excessive, chronic drinking that creates the problems.

At this point, those who have researched pregnancy and alcohol have been unable to determine just how much alcohol consumption is dangerous. If you consume alcohol when pregnant, it is safe to assume that the risks of birth defects, miscarriage, mental disorders and growth retardation increase the more a mother drinks. Frequency of drinking is also a factor. Even though moderate drinking is probably safe, not drinking at all is definitely the safest. In any case, any pregnant woman thinking about consuming alcohol during the pregnancy should consult her doctor.

It is well-known that heavy drinking can seriously affect the fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is much more likely to occur when a woman drinks heavily and often. FAS is also more likely to occur when the woman drinks frequently, not just excessively. Some of the symptoms of FAS include skeletal abnormalities, including an abnormally small head or skull, a malformed heart, retarded growth, and mental disorders.

If you are unable to stop drinking heavily, are considering pregnancy, or think you might be pregnant, it would be wise to consult your doctor immediately to find out what type of support you can receive so you can cut back on alcohol and protect your baby. The risk of FAS is reduced considerably if you drink moderately, as in one to two glasses of wine on occasion. Alcohol isn’t the only factor to consider in your baby’s health. Tobacco and drug use, your diet, your overall health and a number of other factors are all very important in determining the ultimate health of your baby.

Pregnancy and alcohol are generally not a good mix, but if you exercise common sense and moderation, it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not completely unsafe to consume alcohol while pregnant, but it’s probably best to consult your doctor and figure out how to best adjust your entire lifestyle to make sure your pregnancy is a healthy one.

Article Source: http://www.parentingarticlelibrary.com

You can find helpful information about pregnancy and alcohol and everything you need to know about consume alcohol when pregnant at Aha! Baby.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated