Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy: Risks & Effects

Drinking during pregnancy can have serious effects on your baby's health, even if you don't know you are pregnant. Alcohol can pass through the placenta to your baby and affect his or her development.

Some of the potential effects of drinking during pregnancy include:

- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a group of birth defects that can include mental retardation, growth problems, and facial abnormalities

- Low birth weight

- Premature birth

- Stillbirth

- Miscarriage

- Problems with learning and behavior

- Increased risk of alcohol abuse in your child

If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol can have harmful effects on your baby. If you need help quitting drinking, talk to your doctor or a treatment professional.

There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. The best way to protect your baby is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether.