Think twice before you fill your glass. Alcohol in pregnancy can affect your baby and also harm your health in a big way. If you drink alcohol during pregnancy, your child may develop a lot of behavioral problems. The effects of alcohol in pregnancy differ from woman to woman and it also depends when you consumed alcohol. The timing and the amount consumed determine the effects of alcohol in pregnancy.
When you drink alcohol while you are pregnant, the alcohol rapidly reaches your baby through the bloodstream beyond the placenta.
Drinking alcohol in early pregnancy can increase the chances of your baby having fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome causes mental and growth retardation, facial and heart defects, and also some behavioral problems. As a result, because of your alcohol consumption, your baby may suffer for the rest of his/her life.
When alcohol passes through the placenta and reaches your baby, it reduces the oxygen supply and as a result your baby is deprived of the essential nutrients. As a result, your body assumes that it is unable to support the pregnancy and may expel it. Also, drinking alcohol in early pregnancy can cause learning disabilities and hyper activeness in the children after they are born. The baby may also suffer from vision problems.
Doctors suggest giving up drinking the moment you start planning to have a baby. Not only does alcohol affect the growth and development of your baby, but it also harms you too. Drinking alcohol in early pregnancy increases the risk of having a miscarriage, premature delivery and even a stillbirth.
Whenever you feel like drinking alcohol, try to replace it with fresh fruit juice. If you wish to unwind, you can try to feel relaxed by indulging in a nice relaxing massage. You need to remember that your baby gets what you consume. So eat and drink things that will benefit your baby instead of harming him/her.
However, if you are suffering from drinking problem, kick the habit by contacting the voluntary organizations that help you get out of the habit. This is something that you need to do before you plan to have a baby. Trying this while you are pregnant may not help. If you become pregnant and have not managed to free yourself from alcohol dependence, you should consider seeking medical assistance. Stay away from friends and people who encourage you to drink. By doing so, you will manage to resist.
