Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix. It’s not safe to drink any alcohol while pregnant or trying to get pregnant. All types of alcohol, including beer and wine, are equally dangerous during pregnancy.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can be prevented. They only happen if a baby is exposed to alcohol before birth. Read on to learn more about the dangers of drinking when pregnant and find out how to connect with effective alcohol addiction treatment.
For immediate assistance and same-day rehab, call 855-701-0479.
What are the Effects of Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant?
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According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it’s not safe to drink any alcohol during pregnancy. NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) and NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) also say that pregnant women should not drink alcohol.
Even drinking a small amount, like one drink a day, can cause lifelong problems for your baby. These problems might be less noticeable than those from heavy drinking but can still include issues like:
- Learning
- Attention
- Behavior
- Coordination
When you’re pregnant, drinking alcohol is very harmful. Any alcohol you drink passes through your blood to your baby via the umbilical cord and placenta. This can cause lifelong problems for your baby. Alcohol and pregnancy effects can be physical, intellectual, and behavioral. Children affected may show these signs:
- Below-average height
- Small head size
- Low body weight
- Abnormal facial features
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Poor coordination
- Attention problems
- Hyperactivity
- Sleep problems
- Bone, kidney, or heart problems
- Learning disabilities
- Poor memory
- Speech or language delays
- Weak judgment and reasoning skills
- Low IQ
- Difficulties in school
What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) is a condition that affects babies whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm the baby’s development, especially their brain. This can lead to many problems, including:
- Learning difficulties: Kids with FAS often have trouble learning new things.
- Communication issues: They might struggle to talk or understand what others say.
- Social challenges: Making friends and interacting with others can be hard.
- Self-care problems: Simple tasks, like brushing teeth or getting dressed, might be difficult.
Children with FAS might grow more slowly and have physical differences. These problems last a lifetime, and there is no cure. The best way to prevent FAS is to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy.
Is There a Safe Level of Alcohol to Drink When Pregnant?
There is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking any alcohol in the first three months can cause your baby to have abnormal facial features.
A baby’s brain keeps developing throughout pregnancy, so alcohol can harm your baby at any time. Drinking alcohol at any stage can also cause problems with the central nervous system and your baby’s growth.
It’s never too late to stop drinking. While stopping won’t undo any damage already done, it will help improve your baby’s health and well-being.
If you can’t stop drinking, you might have alcohol use disorder, a chronic and relapsing brain disorder. This is a long-term brain disorder where you can’t stop drinking even though it causes problems.
3 Myths About Alcohol & Pregnancy
Here are three common myths about alcohol use during pregnancy.
1) Myth: Drinking before knowing you’re pregnant is safe
Fact: Even if you don’t know you’re pregnant, the baby is still growing. Drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy can affect the baby. How much and how often you drink matters. Stopping alcohol use as soon as you find out you’re pregnant helps the baby stay healthy.
2) Myth: Some types of alcohol are safe to drink during pregnancy
Fact: All alcohol is the same when it comes to pregnancy risks. Whether it’s beer, wine, or liquor, they all contain the same amount of alcohol in a standard serving. Since no amount of alcohol is proven safe during pregnancy, it’s best not to drink any alcohol at all.
3) Myth: It’s safe to drink a little alcohol later in pregnancy
Fact: Babies keep growing throughout pregnancy. We don’t know enough about how alcohol affects the baby at different times. Drinking less alcohol still carries risks. The safest choice is to avoid alcohol for the entire pregnancy.
Call Addiction Hotline & for Expert Help Overcoming Alcoholism While Pregnant
If you need help dealing with alcohol abuse while pregnant, calling a substance abuse hotline can be a valuable first step.
Hotline staff can answer queries on all areas of addiction treatment and recovery. You can speak with a trained professional in confidence and toll-free.
For those who need assistance with alcohol withdrawal, Addiction Hotline can connect you with medical detox centers in California. Detox programs offer 24/7 supervision and access to medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol addiction typically requires ongoing treatment after detox. We can help you find inpatient and outpatient rehabs near you. All the rehabs we recommend use science-based and holistic therapies for a whole-body approach to healing.
Call our recovery experts to begin recovery today at 855-701-0479.
