Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have several serious and lasting effects on the developing baby, including miscarriage, preterm delivery, and developmental disabilities. While the risk for developing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is highest for mothers who drink heavily during pregnancy, even small amounts of alcohol exposure can be harmful to fetal development. For these reasons, women who are pregnant are recommended to completely abstain from alcohol use. [1][2][3]
- Alcohol consumption at any point during pregnancy increases the risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death, and a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and developmental problems in the unborn baby.
- No amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women to consume, according to major institutions like the CDC, Surgeon General’s office, and American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders include a variety of serious, lifelong conditions that can impair a person’s ability to learn, communicate, regulate their emotions and impulses, and function normally in society.
Can you drink while pregnant?
Alcohol is a known teratogen, which means it is known to cause birth defects, deformities, and developmental issues in unborn babies. When babies are exposed to alcohol in utero, a number of birth complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight, are possible. Pregnant women who drink alcohol are also more likely to deliver babies who suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), which include a variety of disorders that cause lifelong physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems and impairments. [1][3]
While the risks are highest for women who drink frequently and heavily, even light and moderate drinking during pregnancy is risky. For these reasons, the Surgeon General’s office, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women not consume any alcohol during pregnancy. [2][3]
How alcohol affects a developing baby
Alcohol can have several serious negative health effects on a developing baby. Alcohol is a teratogen, which means it is toxic to unborn babies and is known to increase the risk for birth defects and deformities, including the risk for lifelong cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairment.Â
Some of the potential negative effects that alcohol can have on developing babies include: [2][3]
- Low birth weight or babies who are small for gestational age.
- Physical abnormalities including small head size and facial dysmorphology.
- Learning impairments and developmental disorders.
- Problems with speech, language, and social skill development.
- Poor concentration and short-term memory.
- Hyperactivity, impulse control, and behavioral problems.
- Problems regulating mood and emotions.
- Vision and hearing problems.
- Lower intelligence and smaller brain size.
- Increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describe a variety of conditions that are caused by in-utero exposure to alcohol. These disorders vary in their symptoms and severity, but include cognitive, developmental, physical, and behavioral impairments and delays that manifest in childhood. FASD is not considered a curable disorder, and individuals who are diagnosed will have lifelong impairments. [2][3]
Many children with FASD struggle with learning, cognitive, social, and behavioral problems in school, but the symptoms of FASD may have a delayed onset, not manifesting until 10 years of age or older. The varied presentation of FASD and the possibility of late childhood onset can make these disorders difficult to diagnose. [3]Â
Risks of drinking at different pregnancy stages
Drinking at any stage of pregnancy can have harmful effects on the developing baby, but the teratogenic effects and risks may be higher in the early stages of pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy, drinking alcohol can interfere with crucial aspects of fetal development. Women who consume alcohol in the first trimester are more likely to have babies who exhibit physical malformations like facial dysmorphology. [2][4]
Drinking in the second and third trimesters is also risky and can interfere with the growth of the fetus. For this reason, babies exposed to alcohol in utero are often underweight or of a smaller size than expected for their gestational age. Alcohol exposure in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can also interfere with the central nervous system functioning of the baby, making them more likely to struggle with developmental, cognitive, and behavioral problems after birth. [2][3][4]
Who is most at risk
Research shows that certain factors increase the risk for maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, including: [3]
- Late identification of pregnancy
- Drinking heavily in the three months prior to becoming pregnant
- Being dependent on alcohol
- Being between the ages of 35-44
Tips to avoid alcohol during pregnancy
Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy can be difficult, even when you know it’s important for your health and the health of your baby. It can help to have a plan in place to help you overcome cravings and build new, alcohol-free lifestyle habits and routines.Â
Here are 5 tips to help you avoid alcohol during pregnancy:
- Replace alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones: Consider buying sparkling water, juices, or mocktails to have enjoyable non-alcoholic alternatives on hand.
- Remove alcohol from the home: Consider getting rid of alcoholic beverages that you have readily available in the home, fridge, pantry, or liquor cabinet to make it harder to cave into momentary impulses or lapses in judgment.
- Tell close friends and family your goal to avoid alcohol: Telling close friends and family can help you stay accountable for not drinking socially, and can garner support towards your goal of avoiding alcohol.
- Change your social routines: Schedule social plans and activities that center around activities other than drinking, or at times or in places where alcohol isn’t served.
- Seek outside support or professional help: Joining a support group or seeking help from a professional addiction counselor can help you stay on track, particularly if you’ve struggled with problem drinking in the past.
Alcohol use disorder and pregnancy
Women who have an existing problem with alcohol use have a harder time quitting drinking after becoming pregnant. Alcohol use disorder is the most common form of addiction in the U.S., affecting nearly one in three Americans at some point in their lives. Thankfully, alcohol use disorder is highly treatable with therapy, which is sometimes combined with medication. [6]
If you are pregnant and struggling with alcohol use disorder, here are some important facts to know: [6]
- Alcohol use disorder is a common problem that involves cravings, loss of control over drinking, and consequences resulting from alcohol use.Â
- Alcohol withdrawal can be serious, life-threatening, and may require a medically monitored detox, so seek medical care if you experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or other concerning signs after you cut back or stop drinking.
- Pregnant women with alcohol use disorder may have a harder time cutting back and stopping drinking, and may require professional treatment to establish and maintain their sobriety.
- Alcohol use disorder treatments often involve therapy, which can be provided in inpatient or outpatient clinics, and may include individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
- Other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD often co-occur with alcohol use disorder, and these disorders can also often be treated concurrently with therapy, which may be combined with medication in some cases.
Addressing stigma and support for pregnant individuals
There is a negative social stigma towards women who drink while pregnant, which may discourage some women from disclosing alcohol use or seeking treatment to stop drinking. In order to reduce these, more healthcare providers are being urged to adopt harm reduction approaches for women who are not ready or able to completely stop drinking. These approaches focus on supporting women in reducing their alcohol intake with the eventual goal of abstinence. [3]
How healthcare providers can help
Healthcare providers can help identify risks related to fetal alcohol exposure by screening pregnant women for alcohol use, providing education, and non-judgmental support. Referrals to specialized addiction treatment may be indicated, and additional evaluations for mental health concerns may also be indicated. [3]
