Your baby’s health is your #1 priority. You can do this by simply having a healthy lifestyle.

Here’s why you should avoid alcohol during pregnancy:

When you drink alcohol, the alcohol will flow through the bloodstream and goes to your baby via the placenta. This will cause disturbances to the growth and development of your baby. Once it reaches the foetus, the alcohol will flow in its blood and they do not have the ability to process it like us because of their immature liver (1). Even though, the first and third trimesters are known to be the ‘crucial’ period, second trimester is also important as it increases 68% chance of having a smaller baby than normal (1). It is still always the best to avoid alcohol in all the three periods.

Is there a safe amount of alcohol to be consumed during these periods?

Same goes to alcohol intake in first trimester, there is no known ‘safe’ amount of alcohol to drink while being pregnant. Limited evidence to show that there is a safety-net in the level of drinking alcohol which would avoid any harm (4).

Note to self: any amount of alcohol intake matters to your baby.

What are the consequences?

1. Increase risk of miscarriage/ still birth

2. Increased risk of withdrawal symptoms experienced by your baby after birth

Newborns can show withdrawal symptoms within 24-72 hours after birth (3). Signs of withdrawal symptoms:

• High pitched crying
• Tremors/ jittery
• Irritability
• Increased breathing rate
• Difficulty sleeping/ resting
• Difficulty feeding due to sucking problems

Your doctor or midwives will be with your baby to check for signs of withdrawal every 4 hours to ensure your baby is getting the right treatment.

3. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

FASD are a group of conditions that is caused by a mom drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FASD can have different symptoms in different people. It causes certain physical changes to the baby, problem with behaviour and issues with learning (4).

Signs of FASD:

• Abnormal facial features
• Low body weight
• Smaller size head
• Problem with speech, numeracy and language development
• Impaired memory
• Behavioural problems
• Lack of social skills and judgement skills

FASD is a lifelong condition and there is no cure for it but early treatment is able to help with the child’s development.

For more information about FASD: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html

It is never too late to stop alcohol intake during pregnancy

Comment below if you have any queries and we will try to answer you ASAP! Don't be shy, we are always here to help you 🙂 

Are you struggling with any alcohol problems and need support?

Contact:

1. Parentline : 1300 301 300
2. Counselling Online : 1800 888 236
3. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline : 1800 882 436

Also consult with your healthcare professional.

References:

1. AlcoRehab. Alcohol and Pregnancy: What Are The Effects and Dangers? [Internet] 2019. [cited 2019 May 10]; Available from: https://alcorehab.org/the-effects-of-alcohol/pregnancy/

2. Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Alcohol and Pregnancy [Internet] 2017. [updated February 2017; cited 2019 May ]; Available from: https://adf.org.au/insights/alcohol-and-pregnancy/

3. Mothersafe. Alcohol Consumption in Pregnancy [Internet] 2013. [updated September 2013; cited 2019 May 10]; Available from: https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/migration/Mothersafe/documents/AlcoholPregnancyFactsheet2014dk.pdf

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) [Internet] 2019. [updated March 2019; cited 2019 May 19] Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html