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When You Are Pregnant, Drinking Can Hurt Your Baby
Everything you eat and drink
while you are pregnant affects your baby. If you drink alcohol,
it can hurt your baby's growth. Your baby may have physical and
behavioral problems that can last for the rest of his or her life.
Children born with the most serious problems caused by alcohol
have fetal alcohol syndrome.
Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome May:
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Be born small. |
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Have problems eating and sleeping. |
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Have problems seeing and hearing. |
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Have trouble following directions and learning how to do simple things. |
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Have trouble paying attention and learning in school. |
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Have trouble getting along with others and controlling their behavior. |
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Need medical care all their lives. |
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Need special teachers and schools. |
Here Are Some Questions You May Have About Alcohol and Drinking
While You Are Pregnant.
Can I drink alcohol if I am pregnant?
No. Do not drink alcohol when you are pregnant. Why? Because when
you drink alcohol, so does your baby. Think about it. Everything
you drink, your baby also drinks.
Is any
kind of alcohol safe to drink during pregnancy?
No. Drinking any kind of alcohol when you are pregnant can hurt
your baby. Alcoholic drinks are beer, wine, wine coolers, liquor,
or mixed drinks. A glass of wine, a can of beer, and a mixed drink
all have about the same amount of alcohol.
What if
I drank during my last pregnancy and my baby was fine?
Every pregnancy is different. Drinking alcohol may hurt one baby
more than another. You could have one child that is born healthy,
and another child that is born with problems.
Will these
problems go away?
No. These problems will last for a child's whole life. People
with severe problems may not be able to take care of themselves
as adults. They may never be able to work.
What if
I am pregnant and have been drinking?
If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking
now. You will feel better and your baby will have a good chance
to be born healthy. If you want to get pregnant, do not drink
alcohol. You may not know you are pregnant right away. Alcohol
can hurt a baby even when you are only 1 or 2 months pregnant.
How can
I stop drinking?
There are many ways to help yourself stop drinking. You do not
have to drink when other people drink. If someone gives you a
drink, it is OK say no. Stay away from people or places that make
you drink. Do not keep alcohol at home.
If you cannot stop drinking, GET HELP. You may have a disease called alcoholism. There
are programs that can help you stop drinking. They are called alcohol treatment programs. Your doctor or nurse can find a program to help you. Even if you have been through a treatment program before, try it again. There are programs just for women.
If you or someone you know has been drinking heavily, there is a risk
of developing serious health problems. Because some of these health problems
are both reversible and treatable, it is important to see your doctor
for help. Your doctor will be able to advise you about both your health
and your drinking.
You can get help from a doctor, nurse, social worker, pastor, or clinics and programs near you.
For confidential information, you can contact
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
900 17th Street NW, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20006
(800) 66-NOFAS
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