Your healthcare team is there to support you in making decisions that are right for you. They can help by discussing your situation with you and answering your questions. It may not be as difficult as you think to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy. And if you’re concerned that you are drinking too much and feel that you cannot stop — during your pregnancy or at any other time — talk with your doctor. Other doctors feel that pregnant women shouldn’t worry about having a small drink every once in a while. Although heavy drinking can obviously be harmful, the risks of light and moderate drinking aren’t as clear.
I tell patients I think one to two drinks a week is unlikely to be harmful – but that I can’t guarantee that there are no possible risks. Most of the time, patients just want to know it’s OK to have a glass of wine to celebrate a special occasion. Healthcare providers must educate women about what we know regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
What if I am pregnant and have been drinking?
However, people can avoid it by abstaining from https://ecosoberhouse.com/. Studies indicate that both binge drinking and chronic drinking present risks to the fetus. The effects of binge drinking depend on whether it occurs during a critical stage of organ formation. If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant or before you knew that alcohol could harm your baby, stop drinking now. Although some of the lifelong effects of FASD can be recognized early, other issues become apparent later in life. While early diagnosis and treatment can improve the child’s health and behavior, there is no cure for FASD currently.
- Your midwife will offer you information and support on how to cut down or stop drinking alcohol.
- It’s also difficult to predict the impact of drinking on any given pregnancy because some women have higher levels of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.
- 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.
While FAS and Down syndrome can affect people in similar areas, there are differences in the symptoms. Not all people with FAS or Down syndrome will have all the symptoms. Children with https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drink-alcohol-during-pregnancy/ FAS are slower to learn language skills than other kids. When they reach school age they often have learning disabilities and difficulty with attention, memory and hyperactivity.
How does a father’s age affect fertility and a baby’s health?
Growth and central nervous system problems (e.g., low birthweight, behavioral problems) can occur from alcohol use anytime during pregnancy. The baby’s brain is developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time. The risks are greater the more alcohol is consumed and the effects include learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
You may worry about being judged if you own up to missing glasses of wine after work, or feeling frustrated when sticking to apple juice at a wedding. Ultimately, it’s up to each mom-to-be to consult with their doctor and decide if they’ll have the occasional small drink. Those who opt to give up alcohol may miss unwinding with a cocktail, but Archie thinks they won’t regret being cautious.