To a greater extent, expectant parents are well-versed about the pregnancy and birthing development as pregnancy is a unique one in each couple’s lifetime. Future parents and especially mothers-to-be are receiving contradicting information about alcohol consumption and the risk to their unborn baby. How much alcohol is safe to take during pregnancy? Are there proven effects of alcohol on the baby? What are the effects of alcohol on an unborn baby? What other options does a pregnant woman have if she craves alcohol? Alcoholic beverages have been known to cross the placenta and reach the baby by the medical community for some time now. The fetal alcohol syndrome has been documented for decades now. Hence, babies that have been repeatedly exposed during the pregnancy to considerable amounts of alcohol present with abnormalities of their development. Such problems care low birth weight, a small brain, mental retardation and overall growth and developmental retardation.Is there a safe time during the pregnancy to consume alcoholic beverages? The safe answer is no because the baby is in constant development and does not have the capacities to counteract the alcohol he can receive through the placenta. Is there a safe amount of alcohol a woman can take during the pregnancy? Again, the prudent answer is NO. The level of alcohol reaching the baby will vary depending on the type of alcohol taken, the weight of the mother, her own metabolism and so many other factors we have yet to discover. To be on the safe side, a pregnant woman should refrain herself from drinking any amount of alcoholic beverages. What happens if a woman is used to take her little glass of wine or beer during the week-end to unwind and relax and she is now pregnant? There are many natural alternatives to drinking alcohol that will not affect the baby in any way. One of them is to still sit back and relax while enjoying an alcohol free version of your favorite drink. After all, most of the beneficial effects of taking a social drink is actually to give yourself permission to relax and take a well deserved break which you can do while not having to intake any alcohol.
Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
There have been numerous studies trying to determine exactly the amount of alcohol that will not affect the baby in a pregnant woman. Since none of the studies have been able to pinpoint a cut-off point, a “zero” alcohol intake is the safest way to go. After all, it would make sense that if a baby is already small and compromised in utero for any reason, alcohol can be the offending factor that will worsen the problems. Alcohol consumption in women and more specifically by pregnant women is a relatively new and modern phenomenon and its long-term effects are still to be determined. If alcohol has the power to lower the mental capacities and can intoxicate when taken in large amount, the long-term effects of exposure to alcohol for an unborn baby are yet to be studied. It is highly recommended for the pregnant woman to not take alcohol both before and during the course of pregnancy. It is a secure and sensible advance for a pregnant woman to not take any alcohol while breastfeeding.
