Alcohol

How dangerous is consuming alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Alcohol and pregnancy
It is not a certainty that an expectant mother who consumes alcohol will have an abnormal pregnancy, nor is it known how much alcohol causes fetal alcohol effects. It is known, however, that consuming any amount of alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of birth and developmental abnormalities.

The consumption of psychoactive substances during pregnancy has a negative impact on fetal growth. Heroine, methadone and heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy are associated with lower birth weight and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that marijuana use also may be associated with lower birth weight in a newborn.



Alcohol and breastfeeding

Although medical professionals highly recommend not drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, occasional alcohol intake by the breastfeeding mother is considered safe by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The concentration of alcohol in breastmilk is the same as the mother`s blood alcohol concentration. Therefore, the more she drinks, the more alcohol will be present in the breastmilk. Heavy alcohol use, binge drinking, and regular consumption of 2 or more drinks a day is discouraged for the health of both the mother and baby.

Mothers who have an occasional drink can reduce the effect on the infant by having the drink shortly AFTER breastfeeding and waiting to breastfeed again until most of the alcohol has cleared from her body. After drinking one drink (one drink is usually equivalent to 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine or 1¼ oz liquor) the alcohol will be present in the breastmilk for 2–3 hours. It can take up to 13 hours for larger quantities of alcohol to clear from the woman`s body. During this time, it is best to "pump and dump" the breastmilk with a breastpump.

Mothers of preterm infants should NOT drink alcohol. If a mother of a preterm infant drinks alcohol, she should wait until all alcohol is cleared from her body before breastfeeding or pumping. In the past, women were often encouraged to have a glass of wine or beer before nursing to help them relax and letdown. This practice should be discouraged. Studies have shown that after a mother drinks alcohol, babies drink less breast milk and wake up more often.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

In addition to lower birth weight, infants of mothers who consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy may exhibit a pattern of physical anomalies referred to as the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Because the reported incidence of the syndrome is rare (between 1 and 2 per 1000 births), criteria are used to classify infants as having features compatible with the fetal alcohol syndrome (CFAS).

This classification identifies an association between lower levels of drinking and less extensive fetal involvement. (between 2 and 3 per 100 births) CFAS features may not be specific to alcohol. Using drugs or not gaining enough weight (less than 5 pounds) may also cause the symptoms.

FAS has four major components:
• A characteristic pattern of facial abnormalities (small eye openings, indistinct or flat philtrum, thin upper lip)
• Growth deficiencies, such as low birth weight
• Brain damage, such as small skull at birth, structural defects, and neurologic signs, including impaired fine motor skills, poor eye-hand coordination, and tremors
• Maternal alcohol use during pregnancy

Comments: Alcohol

Comments 1 to 24 of about 56.
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xweegeex - 55 days ago.
my midwife told me that ur body seems to know that u'll not be aware of a pregnancy until a few weeks in & so because the foetus is only a group of cells at this point alcohol does not affect it.......its worse to continue drinking "heavily" throughout the rest of the pregnancy.....but again i dont see the harm in having the odd glass of wine if u like. As i said previously I stopped altogether when I was preggers & this was more than likely because i suffered with sickness at first & then heartburn at the end, so it wouldnt have agreed with me anyway!! I would defo not worry about any ' heavy' drinking or smoking u did up until u found out u were preggers, my babies 10 months now & I drank & smoked heavily for the 1st 5 wks (which was when I found out I was expecting) & shes perfect :)

nikki3kids - 80 days ago.
i drank with my first till i found out i was pregnant with him i was 3mths hell i over dosed on my meds by mistake lol i have asthma and couldnt breath and didnt want to go to the hospital long story. anyho my baby was healthy. and i drank while i was pregnant with my last as we were trying to get pregnant but it took to long so i gave up and then i go pregnant with him. and he is healthy

Stacemingas - 80 days ago.
I partied hard and smoked cigarettes the first few of weeks of my pregnancy. Hell, I got drunk with my husband that night that we conceived our daughter.Of course I stopped smoking and drinking as soon as I found I was pregnant. I was worried too, but my baby is 100% healthy! She just turned 1 on August 11th!

Baby Miqueas - 80 days ago.
I am from Argentina and there it is very normal to have one glass of wine with dinner or a beer once in a while (even being pregnant) my mother drank regularly so she tells me throughout her whole pregnancies with me and my sister. (actually her craving was sparkling wine) and we are very normal. I know that here in north america they are extra Cautious about everything. I think you should make your own desisions about drinking or not. I don't think 1 beer will effect a baby.. that is just me..

matteosMama - 84 days ago.
I also drank before finding out I was pregnant, including drinking the night I conceived. I went to a genetic counselor just to be sure of any risks and you know what she said? 'Most women are drinking at the time of conception!' ha! Also, she said if I'd done any real damamge in the early months, I would've just flushed the baby right out...and little one is still holding strong!! Each site I read that it has to be 5-6 drinks at a time over an extended period to give a child FAS. An occasional glass of wine or beer won't do it. One British study even said, women who drank 1-2 gls of wine a week had children with better cognitive skills and behavior than those who abstained from alcohol entirely.

Bri - 87 days ago.
youngmama - That happens to so many women you wouldn't believe. Even to me this last time. We started trying but it was the first month and honestly didn't think anything of it. Well come to find out I did get pregnant that month. Everything is fine. My sister did the same thing with her son. It happens. Don't beat yourself up over it. Although they say that there isn't a safe about of alchol to drink while pregnant it's hit and miss. Many women will have a glass or two and be fine while others have problems. I'm glad that you've stopped since finding out. That's the best thing for you. But again, what happened before you knew is probably not going to hurt. Trying not to take religion into this but 'someone' pretty much gives us a break for what we didn't know before we took the pregnancy test. No worries! HAHA! Honestly, I don't know anyone that drank before the test and had issues with baby later on unless they kept drinking.

2ndtimeroundT - 88 days ago.
youngmamma, your still not going to harm your child....its got so much growing to do it would be to tiny to affect it...you would have to drink repeatedly with high concentrations of alcohol in your system to do harm.

youngmama - 92 days ago.
I am a small girl and was a heavy drinker before finding out I was pregnant. At 5 weeks I drank a 40 ouncer of straight whiskey in a weekend..... I quit when I found out, but, I mean, thats alot, I am surprised I survived let alone anything trying to live inside me. I am 17 weeks now almost and the doc says everything seems fine but I am still a tad concerned.

2ndtimeroundT - 96 days ago.
are people really so stupid as to think that drinking the way people have described here in the first few weeks (5) of pregnancy is going to have a MAJOR affect on the fetus, pull yourselves together! the only way your going to do any major damage is to be a drunk/alcoholic during the pregnancy!! RELAX and stop being manipulated by the ridiculous hype and hysteria surrounding the controversial question 'can i drink while pregnant' of course you can if your not stupid about it!

1more* - 111 days ago.
just 1 question ladies i just stoped drinking like this weekend i didn't drink like that anyway like 1 beer budices like every other weekend so it wasn't like im an drunk but i did drink why i was on clomid 19-20 of july so will that infect the clomid for working.please help me out on this if you know alil about clomid.

PreggersMissy - 163 days ago.
I am really worried because I drank beer three days in a row over the past weekend (15 in 3 days) and found out I was 5 weeks pregnant the following week. Everyone keeps telling me it will be okay, but I like to hear stories of people who went through a similar situation. The main reason I worry is because people say during the 3rd and 4th week is when the babies brain, arms and legs form and that would be about the time I drank alcohol. On a positive note, I didn't get drunk just got a bit of a buzz but still worried.

youngmama - 168 days ago.
I feel I am in the same boat as many of you. I found out I was pregnant at five weeks and was drinking somewhat heavily during those weeks as I didn't know. I was so mad and scared when I found out I was pregnant. I am worried if I end up with a m/c that it's all my fault. Since I found out I haven't had a drink or a smoke and I do miss it, but it wouldn't be worth possibly harming my child for it... I don't know.

allieandbaby - 188 days ago.
Prettyblueeyes - Just wanted to share a bit I've heard about Methadone. My friend's father was put on methadone a few years ago for back pain, he is now severly addicted to it. When he was told to come off the drug, he went through withdrawl in the worst way. He lashed out at his wife and kids and did very random things such as lay on the ground during a rainstorm saying that he was from another place, etc. VERY STRANGE and unlike him. His familyl is trying to be as supportive as possible, but he had to be put back on methadone until they found another way to help him off of it. Just want to warn you, be careful, its a dangerous drug. I wish you the best of luck. Stay positve. *** Need to clear something up.....I didn't mean Methadone, I meant OXYCONTIN !! So sorry for the confusion!!!!!

xweegeex - 189 days ago.
my babies 6 months old now & I drank & smoked heavily before I found out. I was only 5 weeks preggers wen I found out & stopped immediately, however I still missed having a nice glass of wine!!! There are so many different studies that have been carried out giving conflicting advice on whether you should or shouldnt consume alcohol while pregnant, its difficult to know what to do. My advice would be if ur gonna have 1 drink while preggers & then worry about it for the rest of the time until the baby arrives then ur probably best off not drinking. Also some people may find that they still want to have the odd glass of wine, I personally found the 9 months to be quiet a long time, & others may agree. So I dont think anybody should judge, its up to individual afterall.

luvbeingamom - 242 days ago.
I just wanted to share a very sad story. My niece is currently 10 years old and about to go into an institution for the rest of her life. Until about 2 years ago she was a normal (somewhat hyper) child. She was/is very sweet, loving, kind. She struggles a in school but has lots of help. Well the last few years she has gone down hill. She has been struggling more and more in school despite countless tutors, help from her parents and grandparents. She has also been starting to hurt herself. After consulting with many doctors she has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. the doctors have said that at best she will have the mental capabilities of a 14 yr old, but most likely she will never get past age 12. She will not only continue to hurt herself, but could progress to hurting others. She will never be able to deal with stressful situations or even her own emotions. Her parents have looked into several options and the instution they are sending her to is the best in the country and happily it is close to me, so we will be able to visit her regularly. She was adopted from Russia so there is no good history about her birth mother and no way to know how much she drank during her pregnancy. But i wanted to share this with you to make sure everyone knows that just b/c you don't see the effects of your drinking while pregnant when your LO is first born, or even 5 yrs old, doesn't mean that at age 10 they won't show the signs or worse be as bad off as my niece. My whole family is crying and heart broken over this. Please ladies, get help if you need it, seek support here or anywhere, but don't drink while pregnant. it is only 10 months. It isn't fair to your baby. Please think about it!

Mama-of-2boys - 253 days ago.
Pretty- I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, and all the other stuff that you are having to go through. I really dont think that the doctors would say its ok to take something if in the end it would harm you or your unborn child. My best friend was going through a lot of stuff and they put her on prozac( if I spelt that right) and some other meds. Her baby is fine. I know about the constant worry though. You will be in my prayers, and Good Luck

prettyblueeyes - 253 days ago.
well here's my story...If any one had a similar situation please write me and tell me how it turned out. My father, which I was very close to..committed suicide June 08, I found out I was pregnant the next month in August..really bad timing. I was drinking a lot but found out I was pregnant by 5 weeks and stopped but..because of so much depression and uncontrollable panic attacks..I have been on Pain meds, xanax and prozac..I'm due in June. I pray my baby's OK. But the doctors told me taking the drugs in this situation was better than not taking them. I also have chronic pain from a back injury and they have now put me on methadone at 27 weeks preggo. I would like to take nothing, but can't even get out of bed to take care of my 18 month old if I don't have my meds.because of physical and emotional pain. My baby girl is very active..I am now in counseling and trying to get this all worked out...I just pray baby is OK...say a lil prayer for me? I wouldn't wish losing a parent to suicide on my worst enemy and especially have to deal with it while pregnant.

pygmalin - 254 days ago.
With my first I was only 19 when I found out I was pregnant..I was doing alot of experiementing with drugs and alcohol...I found out I was preggo when I was already 8 weeks...I stopped everything I was doing..he is a happy healthy 9 year old now...has some emotional issues but that is due to his fathers passing..I had the doc test him for everything because I was so afraid. Now I don't do anything I very rarely even have a drink..but I went to my high school reunion and got a little tipsy for 3 days....bam I get home and find out I preggo...freaked out again, but doc said not to worry as long as you stop, then everything should be okay. I sear alcohol makes me ovulate...lol

Mama-of-2boys - 254 days ago.
I was like that with my first son, I had no clue I was even pregnant and of course was partying and drinking. As soon as I found out of course it all stopped but its hard to not 'worry' that you could have caused some damage. My son is 2 1/2 and is a smart beautiful happy growing little boy with no problems. I was almost 9 weeks when I found out that I was pregnant. I think this site is great bc it helps other women that are going through it right now to try not to worry, there is nothing that can be done if you didnt even know. Good luck ladies :)

BrandyD - 254 days ago.
I thought I would share my story. Aug 2002 I turned 21 and went out drinking A LOT, a few of my friends also turned 21 around the same time. So it was pretty much a drunk-fest. By September I started to notice some crazy changes in myself, boobs being my first sign. Also I would get so tired when I would drink. I started to suspect something was up, took a HPT and it was +. I was already 9 weeks and freaking out. My son is now almost 6 with no issues. In fact he is pretty smart and a fast learner. So to the ladies that find themselves in the same boat I hope this brings you some comfort. Enjoy your pregnancies.

Laura Ward - 255 days ago.
No more rude, judgemental or negative comments are needed in this forum, or any other forum on the site. Forums are on the site as a means of support, advice and friendship. Please continue to use them for their intended purpose. Any member being rude towards other members will be deleted without warning.

monstamama - 255 days ago.
Yea, I agree. My SIL was almost thru her first trimester when she found out and she drank frequently. She even drank almost a whole fifth of Patron on her birthday only to find out a few weeks later that she was 2 1/2 months prego. Her daughter is beautiful and perfect. The pain she suffered her entire pregnancy, wondering if her baby was going to be affected, is not something any woman should have to go through alone.

happyforest - 256 days ago.
i drank before i knew i was pregnant also. i didnt find out until i was 5 or 6 weeks, and i wasnt ttc, so i had no way to know i was pregnant. i stopped as soon as i found out of course, but i was still worried. i was even more worried about my medicine, ativan, though bc i know if for sure causes heart defects if taken during pregnancy. my doctor said not to worry bc i didnt take it everyday and had only taken it a few times before i found out. in november i had a healthy baby boy!! im so lucky and happy. i think there is A HUGE difference between drinking before you know you are pregnant and AFTER you know you are pregnant!! the fact is NO ONE know how much or how little alcohol it takes to cause problems. for some women and babies it might take drinking everyday for 9 months, and for others it could not be so much. that is why its always better to be safe than sorry....

happily unexpected - 256 days ago.
Thanks so much guys, that just made my day. I appreciate the support.

Mama-of-2boys - 256 days ago.
I totally agree with watermelon, I to hope that your baby is ok and I'm sure he/she will be. Its great that you shared your story because now other women might stand up and speak.

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