🍷 Alcohol in pregnancy

Alcohol in pregnancy is a topic about the harm alcohol does to an unborn child when a pregnant woman drinks it. Alcohol in pregnancy harms the child. Alcohol from the mother's blood passes through the placenta to the baby. The baby's body cannot process it quickly, so alcohol acts for longer and more strongly than in an adult. Doctors do not name a safe dose that is certain not to harm.

The effects are grouped under the name fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. They can show up as delayed development, problems with learning and behaviour, and distinctive facial features. For that reason medical bodies advise not drinking at all during pregnancy and while planning it. This applies to any alcohol: wine, beer, spirits.

In many countries bottles of alcohol carry a warning sign showing a pregnant woman. It is a reminder of the risk. The topic belongs to the wider question of alcohol and health. If you are pregnant or planning to be and are worried about what you drank, talk to a doctor. They will assess the situation without judgement.