Mixing alcohol with pregnancy

Concerned about the effects of alcohol on your unborn baby?  Consuming alcohol on a regular basis can lead to complications in pregnancy and development issues in the unborn baby. Read further about the risks associated with alcohol and pregnancy. 

One of the first steps in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby is to stop drinking alcohol before trying to fall pregnant. Research has shown that as high as 40 percent of Australian women consume alcohol during pregnancy, however most of the alcohol consumed is in small amounts.
When drinking, alcohol travels from the mother’s blood stream into the baby’s blood stream and increases the risk of complications for both mother and unborn baby.
The effects of alcohol to baby are manifested as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FAS is associated with;

• Developmental issues:
  delayed development, failure to thrive, learning disability, low birth weight, short stature, or slow growth
• Behavioural issues:
  aggression, antisocial behaviour, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or irritability
• Other common problems:
  ​misshapen face, anxiety, congenital heart disease, hearing loss, intellectual disability, malnutrition, poor coordination, single line on palm, speech impairment, or vision disorder

Unfortunately, FAS is irreversible, and treatments are merely aimed towards reducing some of the symptoms. Fortunately, FAS is rare when the mother only drinks small amounts of alcohol, less than two standard drinks a week. However, there are no safe levels of alcohol, hence complete abstinence during pregnancy is recommended.
The effects of drinking higher levels of alcohol, to the mother, are associated with;

• Higher risk of miscarriage;
• Stillbirth of baby; and
• Premature birth.

Having few drinks before knowing that you are pregnant.
We often see women who have had a few alcoholic drinks before becoming aware that they were pregnant. In these circumstances, women are anxious that they have caused harm to their unborn baby. Our advice is not to panic. Recent research suggests that the risk of harming the baby is likely to be very low if the expectant mother has had small amounts of alcohol early in her pregnancy.
If you are still concerned please come and see us. To make an appointment call 02 8524 2011.