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 26 to 49 of about 56.
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monstamama - 255 days ago.
Happily- I hope every thing is fine with your baby. I am sure it is...I mean, our mothers where told it was okay to drink/smoke/etc. and we turned out okay, for the most part! lol And at least you know, that is the important thing. I think you are brave to talk about your concerns openly- especially with all the negativity! I hope anyone else that reads your entry realizes that this forum is for support and thinks before they speak. Most women coming on here are not proclaiming 'Screw what is right! I'm drinking!' They are coming here, like artistchic says, out of concern and seeking knowledge.

happily unexpected - 255 days ago.
I drank for the first three months I was pregnant because I didn't know I was pregnant. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I only get periods about six times a year (naturally, not because of birth control). So that is one reason I didn't think I was pregnant. When I was a month and 1/2 pregnant (didn't know at the time, but figured out the timeline later) I took a pregnancy test and it came out negative, so I didn't think much about it, I just thought I wasn't having a period for that month. Finally, I took another pregnancy test and it was positive, I had no idea how far along I was, one week, one month? NO clue so I begged a clinic to give me an ultrasound, and there was the fetus, with legs and arms, already so developed...I was 13 weeks 1 day pregnant. I felt so horrible, worried and scared that there was going to be something wrong with the baby, and it would be my fault. I wasn't ready to deal with that kind of responsibility...and I'm still not. I'm due March 16th 2009 and I still worry that my baby will be affected by my drinking. It was really hard for me to actually write that because of criticism on this forum, but if anyone else has a story they want to share about their worries, or concerns on the issue it would be nice to hear personal experience opposed to just opinions. So far all test results have come out great for me and my baby, but nothing is 100% so right now Im just in a waiting game. Good luck to all moms dealing with similar situations.

Mama-of-2boys - 255 days ago.
I never said it was right or wrong to drink while you are pregnant I just dont think that people need to pass judgment on others. Because I too thought this forum was for information and support. I dont drink while I'm pregnant, and dont plan on it, but I also try really hard not to judge others for what they do.

artisticchik - 256 days ago.
gamama-I see you live close to Alabama. Did you see on the news about this random shoot out here in Samson? Some guy just went bonkers killing his girlfriend and her mother then setting the house on fire then just randomly killing people along highway 52 then turning the gun on himself. Crazy stuff. I can't wait for the day I turn on the tv and there is some GOOD news. Mean old weatherman already gave the rainy weather report for the weekend and I had planned to wash the cars and go fishing. So much for that!

artisticchik - 256 days ago.
I just look at it as no matter how right or wrong I may be, I am not qualified to be anyones moral authority. Before I will form my lips to criticize, I will keep my mouth shut instead. I don't see anyone here soliciting criticism but unfortunately criticism is free. A bit of sincere advice comes with a pricetag of thought and compassion. Lets not let rationalism replace our sense of compassion.

happily unexpected - 258 days ago.
Watermelon-That was a great way to explain why this forum is really here. If people need support for whatever reason related to alcohol it seems better to assist them rather than put them down. There are pros and cons to both arguments, so I guess it's fine to voice your opinion either way, but there are always two sides to an argument. Especially when it's just opinion based and not based on actual facts.

cheetahcub - 258 days ago.
I don't agree with consuming alcohol in heavy amounts, however, special occasions, such as birthdays/weddings/anniversaries I take one glass of wine and then drink water the rest of the evening. The thing is all the other options such as fruit juice gives me heavy heartburn...sipping one glass through a evening can't do that much damage ... can it?

Mama-of-2boys - 258 days ago.
I agree with you watermelon, I think people now days dont think before they speak no offense to anyone. But I think that people need to start trying to help eachother out and stop passing judgement upon one another, to me there is only one person that can do that and if its not him then its not our job. Good luck ladies.

monstamama - 259 days ago.
I just want to remind everyone that although we all have specific views on what is and isn't appropriate, this forum is about support and helping to gain knowledge from women that are in or have been in similiar circumstances. I hope no one would be so harsh and judgemental as to turn away someone who truly needs help and support. I would feel terrible if someone spoke out in need of guidance and I was so lost in preaching that I didn't help. Think about your words.

mrs.zg305 - 303 days ago.
I was a smoker & drinker until i started to feel morning sickness, which was before my 1st test even came back +. I havent really felt like doing either w/all this morning sickness, which is great, im sure it will be harder in the months to come. but its a sacrifices im willing 2do. but my M-I-L is always bragging about how she drank beer with all 3 of her pregnancies & everyone is fine& her sis also drank beer occasionally after her 5th month w/ both her preg. and her 2 girls are perfect, little terror errors lol... I also read how its very common for in France they drink wine and England drink beer during pregnancies and both have a lower birth def. rate then us in the USA If and when i crave im going to try the non alch. beer lol... Good luck :)

shellshocked - 304 days ago.
Don't worry everyone. The following excerpt was taken from: http://pregnancy.about.com/od/amipregnant/f/drinkingbefore.htm

While it is known that drinking in pregnancy is the cause of some major problems, the good news is that drinking in very early pregnancy, usually before a pregnancy test would be positive, is typically not a problem. This is sometimes thought of as a protective effect for those weeks when you don't realize you are pregnant.

Your baby's major organs begin to develop around the third week of pregnancy, giving you a tiny cushion. While it is best to discontinue drinking and other behaviors known to cause potential harm to your baby before even attempting to get pregnant, sometimes it doesn't work that way.

Bri - 304 days ago.
ilandra – This happens to so many women. They go out with the girls and have a few drinks and then find out later that she is pregnant. It happens and thankfully most of those women give birth to a healthy baby. It happened to my sister. She had been trying to conceive for a while and hadn’t. She went drinking heavily with her husband and group of friends that were heading to Iraq. The following weekend she found out she was 5weeks pregnant. She beat herself up over it but my nephew is just fine. There are risks and now that you know that you are pregnant I know you are taking care of yourself but honestly the worry you are putting yourself through can be more harmful to yourself and the baby. Relax. All your tests have come back just fine, right? Enjoy the pregnancy as much as you can. No use worrying about what you did once. You can’t change the past.

By the way, in no way am I condoning drinking while pregnant. There are risks to it that just shouldn't be taken. I'm talking about those who didn't know.

ilandra - 304 days ago.
I know but just reading stuff like that I get all upset all over again. I can't believe there are even people who would drink while carrying an innocent baby. Especially after all of the studies that are done. It just blows my mind. My kids are my world and if everyone else doesn't believe that about their kids then there is something seriously wrong with them. I mean why else have kids?

lisamarie8503 - 304 days ago.
ilandra - hun you didnt know at the time, so there is no reason to be upset with yourself!! My comments are all towards moms who drink during there pregnancy.

lisamarie8503 - 304 days ago.
Some studies say it is bad for the baby, and some say it isnt. Why even risk it? Im talking about AFTER you find out you are pregnant, if you cant hold out on drinking and absolutley need to have a drink during the 9 months you are pregnant, maybe you shouldnt be pregnant and should look into help first. There is no need to even RISK it.

I guess I just dont see the NEED to have a drink. When it was my anniversary and I was pregnant, I went out to dinner and had water so I knew there was no possibiltiy of hurting my baby.

newcitynewmom - 304 days ago.
To the soapboxers - It is your choice not to drink during your pregnancy. You cannot prove that one or even multiple drinks DID cause those problems any more than someone else can prove that one drink DID NOT cause learning disabilities. I'm sure there are choices you have made during your pregnancy that others would not have made and they do not scold you for it. Don't be so hasty to judge others. Caseylynn - I had a glass of red wine on my wedding anniversary, which was during my second trimester. No one made me feel guilty for this choice.

ilandra - 304 days ago.
Alright that makes me feel even more horrible than before :( I know people drink from time to time and to know that my one drink probably has damaged my baby I will never forgive myself if something is wrong with him when he comes out.

luvbeingamom - 304 days ago.
Oh and to add... Per my doc and a study i read, One drink CAN cause permanent damage. Drinking kills cells (generally your brain cells), but in a developing fetus it can cause serious and permanent damage from these now dead cells!!!

ilandra - 304 days ago.
I feel extremely horrible. I am due Feb 2nd of this year. Well in May me and DH went out on a date night without the kids and it was well before I found out or even suspected I was pregnant. I had one beer. One beer and I am still beating myself up over it. I told my doctor at the appointment when I found out I was pregnant and he told me it wouldn't hurt the baby. He said that 1 glass of wine every week wouldn't hurt the baby. But I feel so horrible. I never had that happen with my other 3 kids and now I feel like such a bad person exposing my 4th to any alcohol. I will never drink another alcoholic beverage again in my life because of this. I know that may sound overboard to some but my kids are more important to me then some stupid drink that could potentially harm them.

luvbeingamom - 304 days ago.
I have to agree with Lisa. I too had a friend who would 'put a little wine in her virgin drinks'. Her son also was born small AND now that he is older he is showing signs of learning disabilities. It isn't worth the risk. If you want to drink, don't get pregnant, if you are pregnant, do everything in your power not to drink. I do believe that some people 'need' to have it, but i also know there are places that can help you with that!

lisamarie8503 - 304 days ago.
jennayla - Your still pregnant, so how do you know your baby is going to be perfectly fine?

I personally wouldnt risk it. I know a lady who drank during her pregnancy, not a lot, but guess what that child has learning disabilities now. There are a lot of people trying to justify drinking during pregnancy and I dont get it...alcohol is poison, why would you want to expose your baby to poison? Please...enlighten me!

And for people saying its an addiction, and its not easy to just quit, then why would you get pregnant when your addicted to drinking? Wouldnt it be smart to work on breaking the habit and then worrying about having a child? Obviously if you are an alcoholic it probably isnt the best environment to raise a child in...

the scroggins - 304 days ago.
i found out i was pregnant when i was 9 weeks pregnant already and was heavily drinking before. i didnt miscarry and the baby is doin perfectly fine :) i occaisionally have alil red whine in my virgin margarita also :) having one drink....one make your baby a preemie or have a learning disability... lol.

kikiea - 321 days ago.
Mama - I found out I was pregnant at 7.5 weeks along. Two weeks before fnding out I was pregnant, my dad died.. so needless to say I was drinking A LOT! At 20 weeks preggo, I saw a genetic specialist and told them I had a lot to drink in the beginning.. they said that at that point of pregnancy, they look at it as 'all or nothing' Meaning that if your drinking had affected the baby, you would have miscarried... they assured me that my baby would be fine, and he was... I hope that helps! I'm sure your baby is just as perfect!!

Becs - 321 days ago.
mamabear - i had exactly the same concerns as you when i found out that i was pregnant at 5-6 weeks. it was a total shock as the baby was unplanned and i had been drinking a lot during the early weeks. i stopped as soon as i got that BFP. my midwife advised that as long as you stop or reduce your alcohol intake significantly, baby wouldn't have been affected. good luck to you in your pregnancy!

anxioustimes - 377 days ago.
babiesrus has alcohol testing strips for your milk!!! I have used them!!! 6 bucks for 3 or 20 for 20 bucks... dont know if on website but google it!!!

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