Why Alcohol Is Dangerous
Alcohol in the mothers blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol 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 . Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics and behaviors:
Polysubstance Use in Pregnancy
- Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip
- Small head size
- Difficulty in school
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectual disability or low IQ
- Poor reasoning and judgment skills
- Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
- Vision or hearing problems
Is Wine Safe During Pregnancy Why Is It Harmful
Alcohol is a chemical that can get into your bloodstream when you drink it. In the case of pregnant women, the alcohol passes to the fetus through the umbilical cord. Developing fetuses are unable to process or metabolize the chemical, which means that it poses numerous risks.
Prenatal alcohol exposure can increase the risk of congenital disabilities, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth. It can also lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder .
Trading That Wine Cooler For A Refreshing Mocktail
During pregnancy, your body does superhuman things. It creates new organs, almost doubles its blood supply, and grows life faster than you can grow your fingernails. This awe-inspiring work is, well, exhausting.
Pregnancy also comes with a host of side effects and a hormonal roller coaster. Maintaining that pregnancy glow and bliss in the face of this ride can also be tough, and its important to put your feet up and de-stress now and then.
But unwinding with a glass of wine is one option that you shouldnt choose while pregnant. Drinking any kind of alcohol during pregnancy can be very harmful for your baby.
The benefits of trading your glass of red wine for a delicious non-alcoholic lime and lychee mocktail far outweighs the risks. But we know, theres been some conflicting information out there lately so lets take a look at what you need to keep in mind when it comes to whats best for you and your baby.
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How Alcohol Can Harm Your Baby
Alcohol can damage your baby’s developing brain and body. Alcohol passes from the mother’s blood into the baby’s blood through the placenta.
Some women break down alcohol faster than others. This is genetic. The longer it takes to break down the alcohol and remove it from the body, the longer your baby is exposed to its harmful effects.
How your baby will be affected will depend on:
- how much alcohol you drink, the more you drink the greater the risk
- how often you drink alcohol
- how your body absorbs and breaks down alcohol
- what stage of pregnancy you drink alcohol – it is particularly harmful during the first 3 months
Drinking during any stage of pregnancy can be harmful to your baby.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorders . The most serious FASD is foetal alcohol syndrome .
Where To Find Support To Give Up Alcohol
If youre finding it hard to give up alcohol while youre pregnant or breastfeeding, it might help to talk to your doctor, midwife or obstetrician for advice and treatment, and to friends and family for support.
You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse for advice and support.
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Help Keep Your Baby Safe
The only way to guarantee your baby wont have any alcohol-related issues is total abstinence from drinking. Should you want to indulge in a champagne toast or a once-in-awhile glass of cabernet sauvignon, be sure to discuss it with your OB/GYN. They can help you decide whether to take the risk.
Look on the bright side, though. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says its safe to have a cup of coffee during pregnancy! Learn how much caffeine is OK for moms-to-be.
Red Wine Is Not The Exception
Im not quite sure where or why this myth came to be. However, you need to know that red wine does have alcohol in it. Red wine has an alcohol content of 12-15%.
This is substantially lower than most other alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, but the alcohol content is still there.
Remember, no one knows how much alcohol it takes to result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, cognitive delays, behavioral problems, etc. Because of that, its best to avoid alcohol altogether, including red wine.
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Homemade Wine During Pregnancy
You can pamper yourself with pregnancy safe mocktails and enjoy the placebo. Mixing ingredients like soda, lime, ginger, mint, and syrup will give you similar taste like your favourite Hurricane. Yeah, you thought of using the trick to feed your baby but mommas first.
Unless you live in a vineyard with wine barrels in your wineries, real homemade wine will be too much for your pregnant self.
Some of these drinks will even help you deal with nausea and the seeping monotony without clubbing and partying. Try mixing mild flavors and dont add everything. You could make a fake champagne with apple juice and pineapple juice and ginger shreds. Wine tasting while pregnant is fun when you do all the experiments on, guess who?
From cocktails to mocktails pregnancy rocks!
Treatment For Alcohol Addiction
Inpatient programs usually last 30 to 90 days and individuals are required to live at the facility for the duration of the program. Inpatient programs will provide a combination of:
- 24/7 medical supervision.
- Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Depending on the facility, inpatient programs may offer other amenities such as individualized case management services as well as postpartum support. Some treatment centers, such as those offering dual diagnosis treatment, will be able to effectively address any concurrent mental health issues that may be present such as mood, anxiety, thought and affective disorders.
Outpatient programsoffer a pregnant woman the flexibility of living at home while she receives care. In many cases, outpatient programs are less expensive than inpatient programs. Individuals who receive treatment at an outpatient program will often attend group therapy for several hours each week.
In addition to therapy and case management, doctors may prescribe certain medications during treatment to help a woman withdraw from alcohol safely. While these medications are sometimes prescribed, it is important to note that there is a limited amount of data on how safe the following medications are for a pregnant woman to take:19,20
Before considering going through withdrawal, detox, and/or rehab for alcohol use, it is best to first talk to your doctor about your current alcohol use. Your doctor can complete an assessment and direct you to the proper resources.
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Facts About Alcohol And Pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is more common than you think: In a survey done by the CDC, 10.2% of pregnant women drank alcohol in the past 30 days and 3.1% of pregnant women reported binge drinking during that time frame.3
Pregnant women report binge drinking more frequently than nonpregnant women: Among binge drinkers, pregnant women reported binge drinking 4.6 times in the past 30 days compared to nonpregnant women who reported binge drinking 3.1 times in the past 30 days. Additionally, the survey found that, among binge drinkers, pregnant women consumed more than nonpregnant women with 7.5 versus 6.0 drinks.3
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is associated with high health care costs: The United States spends an estimated $5.5 billion dollars in health care and related costs related to drinking during pregnancy every year.9
An estimated 3.3 million women ages 15 to 44 years old are at risk for unintentionally exposing their unborn child to alcohol: Many women drink alcohol while they are sexually active and not using birth control to prevent pregnancy.8 Additionally, over half of the pregnancies in the United States are unintended: an unintended pregnancy is either unplanned or planned but not monitored so that women continue drinking through the beginning of their pregnancy before discovering they are pregnant.10
The Difference Between Non
When researching alcohol free wine and pregnancy, its important that you understand the industry terminology so that you may make a more informed decision. Alcohol-Free, Non-Alcoholic, Dealcoholized, Alcohol-Removed these are all common terms you will find on bottles of non-alcoholic wine. But are they all the same?
Short answerno!
Take the terms non-alcoholic and alcohol-free. While many consumers use the two interchangeably, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration treats them very differently.
Alcohol-free is the more straightforward of the two. It means just thatthere is no detectable alcohol in the beverage . Non-Alcoholic on the other hand is a more convoluted term. Technically, beverages with this designation can have up to 0.5% alcohol by volume and still be labeled non-alcoholic.
Making things even more confusing is the fact that Dealcoholized and Alcohol-Removed have less to do with the current alcohol content of the wine, and are there to let you know that, yes, at one-point portions of this product did contain detectable alcohol. Meaning a Dealcoholized wine could be anywhere from 0.0% alcohol by volume to 0.5% alcohol by volume.
So, how do you keep all these terms straight? Head to the back label. If there is any detectable alcohol by volume , winemakers are still required to list it on the label.
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Elivo Zero Zero Deluxe Red
About the Wine. Our second choice for pregnancy safe red wine, this Spanish blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes is much less full-bodied and textured than Grande Reserve Rouge. Since it is lighter, this wine is better suited for regular consumption. Lighter, however, does not mean this pregnancy wine lacks flavor. You will still notice a fruity aroma with hints of ripened red fruits. It is slightly sweet and balanced with hints of oak.
How Alcohol Passes To The Baby
Alcohol moves through the placenta via the umbilical cord. During pregnancy, the placenta is the only source of nutrition for the unborn child, which makes it easy for alcohol to reach the baby, according to the March of Dimes. There, it enters the babys developing body, affecting every organ and body system.
It isnt only the pregnant woman who is responsible for ensuring she doesnt drink. Her partner or spouse should also take the responsibility of ensuring that she completely abstains from any alcohol throughout her pregnancy, recommends the Texas A& M Health Science Center. Her partner may want to consider abstaining as well doing so may make it easier for the woman to successfully abstain.
The partners consumption of alcohol may have an effect on the childs development, especially if that person drinks heavily.
Even if the pregnant woman hasnt had anything to drink, but her partner drinks regularly or heavily, this may lead to mental, intellectual or physical issues for the child after birth.
In addition, alcohol negatively affects mens sperm cells. As the sperm fertilizes the womans egg, it introduces the effects of the alcohol to the newly fertilized embryo.
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How Can You Keep Your Baby Safe From Alcohol During Pregnancy
If you dont drink alcohol during pregnancy, your baby cant have FASDs or any other health problems caused by alcohol. If you’re pregnant or even thinking about getting pregnant, dont drink alcohol.
Some women may drink alcohol during pregnancy and have babies who seem healthy. Some women may have very little alcohol during pregnancy and have babies with serious health conditions. Every pregnancy is different. Alcohol may hurt one baby more than another. The best way to keep your baby safe from problems caused by alcohol during pregnancy is not to drink alcohol when youre pregnant.
If youre pregnant, trying to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant, dont drink alcohol. When you do get pregnant, get regular prenatal care . Tell your health care provider if you need help to stop drinking alcohol.
What Can Happen If I Drink Wine While Pregnant
For many years, women were told that they should not consume any alcohol during their pregnancy. However, other studies suggested an occasional glass of wine is not actually harmful to the baby during pregnancy. The result is general confusion, at best, and at babies being put at risk, at worse.
Drinking a glass of wine at the end of a tough day or with a nice meal can be relaxing and enhance the dining experience. But is it safe to drink wine while pregnant? In short, the answer is no. Consuming wine while you are pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in your baby.
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Drinking Alcohol Puts Your Unborn Baby At Risk
When you’re pregnant, the alcohol you drink passes from your blood to your baby’s blood through the placenta.When you drink, your unborn baby can get about the same concentration of alcohol in its blood as you do in yours. This can harm your baby’s developing brain and restrict its physical and cognitive growth and development.
Some of the most serious risks of exposing your unborn baby to alcohol are:
- slowed fetal growth
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- a range of physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities that are collectively called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder .
How Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
You may want to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is often part of social activities, like parties or sports events. You may be used to having a glass of wine with dinner or at the end of a busy day. Giving up alcohol during pregnancy may be hard.
Here are some tips to help you stop drinking alcohol:
- Think about when you usually drink alcohol. Plan to drink other things, like fruity drinks or water. Use a fun straw or put an umbrella in the glass to make it seem more fun.
- Stay away from situations or places where you usually drink, like parties or bars.
- Get rid of all the alcohol in your home.
- Tell your partner and your friends and family that youre not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Ask them to help and support you.
If you need help to stop drinking, here’s what you can do:
- Talk to your health care provider about alcohol treatment programs.
- Join an Alcoholics Anonymous support group.
- Use Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or call 1-800 662-4357.
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Wine And Pregnant Mothers: Mixed Research Results
Before pouring a celebratory glass of red wine, there are a few things to consider. First, the analysis that showed improved emotional development in children should be looked at more closely. Its important to note that these beneficial effects were mainly found in mothers who were already healthy and well-educated. Also, as a University of Copenhagen critique of Niclasens work points out, the study didnt take certain psychological factors, like mother-child attachment, into consideration.
What does this mean for you? Use your best judgment and discuss the issue with your doctor. At the very least, a small amount of wine might be fine to have very occasionally, but talk to your doctor first and ask how often you can have one.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Wine Is The Occasional Glass Of Wine Ok Experts Set The Record Straight
Congratulations, mama-to-be! You may be thinking about all the lifestyle changes that have to happen over the next nine or so months. Youll have to avoid foods like sushi and deli meat. Youve probably also heard opinions on whether or not you can have a glass of vino during pregnancy. Heres what you really need to know:
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The Dangers Of Alcohol During Pregnancy
When a woman uses drugs during pregnancy, it can result in negative health effects for her and her baby, and alcohol is no exception. Drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and a number of other birth defects.
Using alcohol during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities, and it is estimated that as many as 2-5% of first grade students in the United States might have FASDs.3
If you are addicted to alcohol and you are pregnant, or you are thinking about getting pregnant, it is not too late to get help. Continue reading to learn about risks of drinking while pregnant and helpful treatment options if youre struggling with alcohol use.
Is It Ok Drinking Wine During Pregnancy
Drinking wine during pregnancy, your body does things you cant imagine. A new life is growing inside you and your body is supplying all the necessities to it, creating organs, doubling your blood supply, and whatnot! All of this may seem very superhuman, but it gets exhausting at times. Not to mention the roller coaster ride of hormones as well. During your pregnancy to sit back and de-stress, not only for your well-being but also for the well-being of your little one and healthy delivery.
You want to relax on the couch sipping in wine but then you wonder- drinking wine during pregnancy or is it ok for a pregnant woman to drink wine? The answer here is pretty simple- NO. You may now ask, Why?You want to relax on the couch sipping in wine but then you wonder- can pregnant women drink wine or is it ok for a pregnant woman to drink wine? The answer here is pretty simple- NO. You may now ask, Why?
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Alcohol And Pregnancy: Is ‘a Little Bit’ Safe
Find out what experts say about whether light drinking is risky when youre pregnant.
If you’re pregnant and wondering if it’s OK to indulge in the occasional small glass of merlot or to sip a little champagne on New Years Eve, the advice you receive may be confusing.
Some doctors recommend that you completely avoid alcohol when youre expecting others say that occasional light drinking is unlikely to harm your baby.
Chances are your friends are divided on this, too. One might confide that they enjoyed the occasional beer during their pregnancy and feels their child turned out fine, while another sees this as taking an unnecessary risk.
For decades, researchers have known that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects. But the potential effects of small amounts of alcohol on a developing baby are not well understood.
Whatever the risks, many moms-to-be are choosing not to totally give up alcohol. A recent CDC study found that about one in eight pregnant women in the U.S. report drinking at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month.
Heres what doctors say pregnant women should keep in mind when deciding whether to drink lightly or to steer clear of alcohol altogether.
