Many women enjoy an alcoholic drink on occasion but should women who are planning to become pregnant or who are already pregnant drink alcohol? As there is no proven safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, it is generally recommended that women who are pregnant should avoid all alcohol.
Furthermore, some women may not realise that they are pregnant for a number of weeks, so those who may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy should abstain from or cut down their alcohol intake. Interestingly, many women develop a distaste for alcohol in pregnancy which, for some, can be the first indication that they are pregnant. It could be that this is nature’s way of protecting the foetus.
What are the Effects of Alcohol in Pregnancy?
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol it quickly passes through the placenta to the umbilical cord and on to the baby. Because of the baby’s size and developing state the alcohol can be harmful. As the baby’s liver is immature the alcohol takes longer to break down and may remain at an elevated level for quite some time which, in some circumstances, can cause life-long damage. Therefore, it is not only the regular drinker but also the woman who drinks infrequently — with the occasional binge — who may put her baby at risk at a very early stage.
According to recent studies, women who drink even small amounts of alcohol while trying to conceive may reduce their chances of becoming pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and stillbirth.
Definition of 1 Unit of Alcohol
When you visit the antenatal clinic you will be asked how much alcohol you drink. All of the drinks listed below contain one unit of alcohol:
- 1 single measure of spirits
- 1 small glass of sherry
- 1 small glass of wine
- 1/2 pint of strong beer, lager or cider
- 1/2 pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider.
It is important to note that when you are drinking at home a ‘home measure’, such as a glass of wine, beer or spirits, may be two or three times larger than a pub measure. ‘Alcoholic lemonades’ (alcopops) are about the same strength as ordinary lagers.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Baby
Organ damage in the foetus occurs in the first trimester, with the foetus being more at risk from the time the umbilical cord begins to function (at five weeks gestation) to the completion of organ development (at 11 weeks gestation). Inhibition of growth and neuro-behavioural development occurs in the second and third trimester. This means that a reduction in alcohol consumption at any stage of the pregnancy is beneficial to the baby.
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects
These are individual birth defects that may occur in babies of women who have an above average alcohol intake (approximately two to six units of alcohol daily). Children suffering from alcohol-related defects may have mental and physical problems, although to a lesser extent than those with foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). They may have poor sucking reflex, sleep disorders, exhibit behaviour such as hyperactivity or aggression, may find it difficult to concentrate, and may have problems academically and with memory.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Since the 1970s, the abuse of alcohol has been linked with foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is one of the most common causes of mental retardation in children and the only cause that is preventable. Babies with FAS tend to weigh less and are shorter than normal infants. Their heads may also be smaller. Generally, these children remain smaller than other children of the same age. They may also have some facial malformation, with low nasal bridges, small, narrow eyes and short, upturned noses. Many will also have hearing and visual disabilities as well as heart, gastrointestinal, limb and joint abnormalities.
The most serious defect of FAS, however, is mental retardation. The degree of mental retardation appears to correlate with the degree of physical malformation. Therefore, children with the most severe physical malformation will have a greater degree of mental retardation.
Unfortunately, the effects of FAS cannot be reversed. If you are a heavy drinker you should avoid becoming pregnant until you cut down your intake of alcohol or abstain from drinking alcohol altogether.
Trying to Cut Down
If drinking alcohol is a normal part of your life, abstaining or cutting down may be difficult and many women find it difficult to ask for help. At your antenatal booking visit you will be asked about your alcohol consumption. Be as honest as possible. If you feel that you are drinking more alcohol than you should be, for the sake of your baby you should ask for advice and assistance to help you reduce your alcohol intake.
Babies born to teenage mothers are at a much greater risk of being born with FAS. The teenager herself is still developing and requires extra nutrients, in addition to the nutrients the foetus requires, for development. Excessive alcohol has a negative affect on the absorption of nutrients in the body.
Paternal Alcohol Consumption
In many cases of children born with FAS, the father is a heavy drinker. However, it is not known yet if alcohol consumption by the father can affect the condition of the sperm and impact cell division in the very early stages of conception and pregnancy. Some research suggests that heavy paternal drinking may also be linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular defects in the baby
