How does alcohol affect a fetus when woman is pregnant?

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol passes through the placenta and into the fetus's bloodstream. The fetus is unable to metabolize alcohol as effectively as an adult, so the alcohol can reach higher levels in the fetus's blood than in the mother's blood.

Alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the fetus, including:

* Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS): FAS is a group of birth defects that can occur when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. FAS can cause a range of physical, mental, and behavioral problems, including:

* Growth retardation

* Facial abnormalities

* Heart defects

* Kidney problems

* Liver damage

* Intellectual disability

* Behavioral problems

* Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND): ARND is a range of learning and behavioral problems that can occur when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. ARND can cause problems with:

* Attention

* Memory

* Impulse control

* Social skills

* Academic performance

* Miscarriage: Alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.

* Stillbirth: Alcohol can increase the risk of stillbirth, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy.

The amount of alcohol that a woman drinks during pregnancy can affect the severity of the effects on the fetus. The more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater the risk of problems.

There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The safest choice is to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy.