Alcohol and Pregnancy

All pregnant women and those wanting to become pregnant must abstain from alcohol consumption. Avoidance is the only way to eliminate the risks of giving birth to a baby suffering from the harmful effects of FASD: the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Studies on alcohol and pregnancy have found that in America , Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FAS) is the major preventable birth defect often associated with behavioral and mental impairment. Drinking alcohol affects a developing baby as much as drugs or tobacco.

In the United States , from 0.5 to 2 cases per out of 1,000 births have FAS disorders. Because alcohol reaches the baby directly through your bloodstream and it is able to cross the placenta, it may harm the developing baby causing lifelong behavioral problems and other health deficiencies.

Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona said, "We must prevent all injury and illness that is preventable in society, and alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable". Researchers cannot determine alcohol and pregnancy are safe during the first trimester, if limited to a few drinks over a relatively short period, but all of them recommend caution, but preferably avoidance.

The risks are greater in pregnant women who smoke and having poor diets. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) considers it safe to have 1 or 2 drinks once or twice per week. You can choose from one small glass of wine, one small glass of sherry, one single measure of spirits, half a pint of cider or ordinary strength beer, lager, or a quarter of a pint of strong beer or lager.

Such recommendations do not change the truth about alcohol and pregnancy; alcohol is a high risk because it can damage a fetus at any stage of your pregnancy, and may occur as early as your confirm that you are pregnant.