Alcohol consumption during pregnancy should be completely avoided. This is because alcohol passes through the placenta and can cause very serious birth defects in the growing fetus, like stunted growth, low birth weight, and even brain damage. This disorder is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
Permanent damage to the central nervous system is one of the main effects of FAS. Due, to the damage to the growing brain cells the child may be born with a variety of cognitive and functional disabilities, including impulsive behavior, attention deficit, and poor memory. Exposure to alcohol in the pre-natal stage may even be responsible for secondary disabilities like drug addiction and trouble with the law.
Until now official guidance in the UK has been that it is completely safe for pregnant women to drink up to two large glasses of wine per week (up to four units). But, this does not make you risk free, it just reduces the risk. So, the best thing to do is completely avoid alcohol for the entire pregnancy, after all, it is better to be safe than to be sorry, isn’t it?
Do you know that in the US alone, fetal alcohol exposure is one of the leading causes of mental retardation? The prevalence rate of FAS is estimated to be between 0.2 and 2.0 cases per 1,000 live births. Approximately $800,000 is the lifetime medical and social costs of each child with FAS.
So, if you really care for the health of your unborn child, say no to alcohol and avoid the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
