Do you enjoy the occasional drink? There’s no harm in drinking alcoholic drinks as long as you drink moderately.
But what if you’re pregnant? Is it safe for your baby if you consume a few glasses of wine or maybe beer a few times a week?
And what if you are not even aware that you are pregnant? Will the amount of alcohol you have already drunk affect your baby’s health and development inside your womb?
It is not safe for the baby if you keep drinking alcoholic beverages no matter how small the amount may be. And you should also stop drinking as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.
Can I Drink While Pregnant? Answer: No.
FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is the term used to describe the many problems that can be associated with a baby’s exposure to alcoholic drinks before birth. The problems may include physical as well as mental defects in a child. That’s why all types of alcoholic beverages should be avoided during pregnancy including wine, beer, wine coolers, etc.
How Drinking Can Affect the Baby
Mothers are connected to their babies through the placenta. And when a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol travels through the placenta to reach the baby. As a fetus possesses an underdeveloped body, the alcohol components are broken down by the system in a very slow manner. Therefore, if you drink alcohol, it would seem that most of the alcoholic contents will stay inside your baby’s system rather than your own
An adult body can process the alcohol more rapidly and it can get rid of the substance quickly. However, inside the baby’s system, alcohol can remain at elevated levels for a longer period of time.
Adverse Effects of Alcohol on Your Baby
Studies have revealed that drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risks of having a miscarriage. Furthermore, you can give birth to your baby prematurely and this exposes them to a lot of complications. You can even give birth to a stillborn child.
FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) is also something that’s commonly found in babies exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. This condition can lead to a combination of physical and mental defects and your baby will be left struggling with the condition all through their life.
Defects in the proper formation of the face, heart, and other organs can also be linked to exposure to alcohol while inside the womb. These conditions will make the child weak and susceptible to all types of diseases until he or she gets older.
Some Characteristics of Children Exposed to Alcohol During the Prenatal Months
If you are lucky enough to give birth to a seemingly healthy baby even though you drank some alcoholic drinks during your pregnancy, you may notice some abnormalities in your baby as he or she is growing up. There are distinct features of babies exposed to alcohol, and children usually have small eyes that are not in proportion to their faces and other features.
As the brain is also usually small and formed abnormally, you will notice some behavioral problems in your child. Your baby may not be emotionally stable and they can be throwing tantrums all the time. At school, your child may not even be able to perform well due to having a limited attention span.
Why You Should Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy
Exposing your baby to alcohol can result in a lifetime of physical, behavioral, and psychological problems. In fact, there are now reports that children exposed to alcoholic drinks while inside the womb tend to have criminal instincts. On a less serious note, they can also show signs of being too dependent, that they will refuse to live independently on their own. And as adults, they may also find it hard to keep their jobs due to constant changes in their interests and attitude.
Think of Your Baby First!
While you may enjoy drinking a few glasses of wine or any other alcoholic beverages once in a while, know that this exposes your baby to high risk complications. No sufficient studies have been made yet as to the safe level of alcohol that can be consumed when one is pregnant with a child. So the best thing to do is to just don’t drink while you are pregnant.
