Drinking while pregnant can harm your unborn child. Alcohol can cause severe psychological and physical problems, congenital disabilities, and medical conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome. If you are suffering from alcohol addiction, now is the time to get help from our alcohol addiction treatment program.
All forms of alcohol can hurt your baby. This includes beer, liquor, wine, or alcohol-based products such as wine coolers. When you drink while you are pregnant, the alcohol in your blood passes through the placenta and straight to the umbilical cord to your baby. What happens if you drink while you are pregnant? Let’s find out more by reading our latest article below.
Premature Birth
Drinking while pregnant is often associated with premature birth. While it is still unknown precisely how much alcohol can lead to premature birth, most doctors recommend that expecting mothers stay away from alcohol altogether. Children who are born prematurely often suffer from underdeveloped organs, low weight, and mental disorders.
Brain Damage
A permanent consequence of alcohol addiction during pregnancy is brain damage. A child may experience learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Children exposed to alcohol while in the womb may end up with ADHD, bipolar disorder, or a mental health issue.
Alcohol Addiction
Since alcohol is passed on to the child during pregnancy, large amounts of alcohol can lead to prenatal addiction. Once the child is born, they may have already formed a dependency on alcohol. A mother who has an addiction should consider entering a substance abuse treatment program once she discovers that she is pregnant.
Birth Defects
Unborn children who are exposed to alcohol before birth can suffer from congenital disabilities, including:
- Heart defects
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Liver, stomach, or lung problems
- Physical defects in the arms, legs, or other parts of the body
Low Birth Weight
While low birth weight is often associated with premature birth, this is not always the case when it comes to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol can hinder a child’s full development before birth. Even if the mother carries the child to full term, the child may still experience low birth weight and an overall underdeveloped body.
Miscarriage
Numerous studies over the last 40 years have shown that drinking alcohol during pregnancy – even small amounts – increases the chances of a miscarriage. Any form of alcohol is dangerous to the child in the earliest stages of development. Exposure to alcohol can shut down key systems in the baby, leading to a miscarriage.
Stillbirth
In addition to miscarriage, women who drink alcohol during pregnancy increase the chances of a stillbirth significantly. Prenatal alcohol exposure can put a tremendous amount of stress on the baby during development. As a result, a stillbirth may occur when the baby is born.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in which an unborn child may suffer from brain damage or development problems as a result of exposure to alcohol. The defects and problems vary from child to child, depending on numerous factors. The effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism designates September as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Month. Alcohol addiction treatment programs often include activities and events to create more awareness and help women who are suffering from alcoholism during pregnancy.
Learn More About Drinking While Pregnant at Midwest Recovery Center
If you would like to know more about drinking while pregnant and fetal alcohol syndrome, then contact Midwest Recovery Center. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment therapies for alcoholism and drug abuse.
Call Midwest Recovery Center at 833.627.0039 to find out more about your treatment options and how to get started on the road to recovery.
