Q/ Hello doctor,
I am 3 months pregnant and crave alcohol, yet I heard that alcohol consumption while pregnant is not good. How dangerous is it to the baby and I if consumed it? And is there a way to stop such cravings? Jewel.
A/ Dear Jewel,
According to United States Center for Disease control (CDC), there is no known safe amount of alcohol or safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.
All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer.
Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant.
Alcohol use in the first three months of pregnancy can cause the baby to have abnormal facial features.
Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord and taken during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.
These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
Growth and central nervous system problems (e.g low birth weight, behavioral problems) can occur from alcohol use anytime during pregnancy.
The baby’s brain is developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time.
Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics and behaviors:
- Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum).
- Small head size.
- Shorter-than-average height.
- Low body weight.
- Poor coordination.
- Hyperactive behavior.
- Difficulty with attention.
- Poor memory.
- Difficulty in school (especially with math).
- Learning disabilities.
- Speech and language delays.
- Intellectual disability or low IQ.
- Poor reasoning and judgment skills.
- Sleep and sucking problems as a baby.
- Vision or hearing problems.
- Problems with the heart, kidney, or bones.
It is better to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Knowing about the dangers of alcohol to your unborn baby should be motivation enough for you to fight off the craving.
Try sipping on other healthy drinks such as fresh fruit juices.
Answered by Dr Joesph Kafuuma.
