If you’ve already had your first prenatal visit, you probably received a long list of Dos and Don’ts from your doctor or midwife. At the top of that Don’t list? Alcohol.

Many women know that drinking during pregnancy is frowned upon, but is a little alcohol OK? When does drinking your occasional glass of wine start to cause real damage to your child? Given what we know about how dangerous alcohol can be to your growing baby, health officials have a pretty clear answer: The safest amount of alcohol is no alcohol. Here’s why.

HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS YOUR BABY

Anyone who’s ever had one too many can tell you that alcohol wreaks havoc on the body. It affects nearly every part of you. It can damage your brain, your heart — even your ability to fight off disease. In the long run, drinking is even linked with certain kinds of cancer. These effects can be especially dangerous during pregnancy, when alcohol can cause your blood vessels to constrict, limiting the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby.

When you drink alcohol — beer, wine, liquor, etc. — your child drinks, too. And that can cause significant harm to their growing bodies. Kids whose moms drink during pregnancy are more likely to develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), a range of health issues linked to drinking during pregnancy.

FASDs can be fatal or lifelong. They include:

• Miscarriage
• Small head size
• Low birth weight
• Hyperactive behavior
• Learning disabilities
• Vision or hearing issues
• Serious problems with the bones, heart, or kidneys

The more alcohol you drink during pregnancy, the greater the chances of your baby developing an FASDs.

THE SAFEST AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL? NONE.  

It might seem harmless to have a glass of wine every once in a while, but research doesn’t back that up. Every human body — and every pregnancy — is a little different, so it’s impossible to know what amount will cause real damage to you and your infant. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no amount of alcohol has been shown to be safe. When the risks posed by alcohol during pregnancy are so serious — and so preventable — why risk it at all?

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRANK BEFORE YOU KNEW YOU WERE PREGNANT?

In 2019, 42.1 percent of pregnancies in Florida were unplanned, so it’s not uncommon for women to drink alcohol before they realize they’re expecting. If that happens to you, don’t panic. The most severe symptoms of FASDs happen after heavy drinking throughout pregnancy. Even so, be sure to tell your doctor or midwife about any recent drinking occasions (including how much and when) during your first prenatal visit, and avoid alcohol altogether for the remainder of your pregnancy.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU QUIT DRINKING

If you’re trying to quit drinking but can’t, tell your doctor right away. There are a few local resources to help people manage issues with alcohol. These sites have professionals trained to assess alcohol use disorders as well as walk you through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques you can use to manage alcohol cravings and cope with recovery.

The Women and Children Residential Treatment Program – Orange County, for example, offers women (including pregnant women) a place where they can receive treatment specifically designed for them. While there, they can also receive parenting education, mental health support, and other referrals to help them get back on their feet. This program is run by Aspire Health Partners and takes health insurance, or (if you don’t have any) lets you pay out of pocket based on your income.

If you aren’t sure where to go or what resources you need, ask your doctor. They can help.