The Dangers of Alcohol and Pregnancy
Written by: Perry Nichols
No Accurate Way to Determine a Safe Level of Alcohol Consumption for Pregnant Women
Healthcare experts agree; there is no accurate way to determine a safe level of alcohol consumption for a pregnant woman. This is due to the myriad of factors contributing to the development and growth of the unborn baby. For this reason, it is recommended that all pregnant women abstain from drinking alcohol, as well as those who are actively trying to conceive. A large majority of the damage to a fetus from alcohol occurs in the very earliest stages of pregnancy, when many women may not even be aware they are even pregnant.
Even moderate drinking, which is one drink per day for women, is unadvised during pregnancy. The guidelines used to measure what constitutes a single alcoholic drink are as follows:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of liquor; 80 proof (40%), vodka, gin, whiskey, etc.
Much like smoking cigarettes, every time a pregnant woman has an alcoholic drink, the fetus has one too as it passes through the placenta into the bloodstream. The negative effects of drinking alcohol while pregnant do not end after infancy as both physical and mental impairments are usually permanent conditions which will last throughout the child's life.
The collective terms used to describe the conditions caused by drinking alcohol include:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
FAS is usually the result of heavy drinking throughout a pregnancy and is characterized by certain defects and impairments. However, as every pregnancy is unique, the condition may still occur without drinking heavily. Damage to the brain, spine, and central nervous system are common in the early weeks of pregnancy, along with delayed or reduced physical growth, and delayed cognitive or behavioral development. Facial abnormalities including an undersized skull are usually the first markers used to diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome after birth.
Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
ARND is linked to alcohol consumption during pregnancy and may include a host of collective impairments and disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Mental retardation is also possible, along with impaired motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or severe behavioral problems are also common aspects of Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder.
Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
Alcohol Related Birth Defects is the collective term used to describe the effects alcohol has on the major organs of the fetus, as well as the physical and functional defects of the skeletal systems.
These three alcohol related conditions are all completely preventable, but yet they affect more babies each year than Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Spina Bifida, Cystic Fibrosis, and Down's syndrome combined.
Some of the other negative side effects of drinking alcohol while trying to become or while already pregnant include:
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Infertility
- Stillbirth
- Early delivery/premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Breathing disorders
Regular use of alcohol is also linked to kidney disease, brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, and certain cancers including mouth, esophageal, and stomach. Women should also be aware that alcohol passes through breast milk, so abstaining from drinking should continue on if planning to breast feed.
