What about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Between everyone's advice, what we find on the Net and what our instinct tells us, it's hard to know where the truth lies.
Surprise baby and booze
You are several weeks pregnant and have just heard the news. However, you are overwhelmed with anxiety, as you have had a few drinks lately and are worried about your future baby.
Stop moping. If you've had a drink or two on occasion, there's no need to worry too much. On the other hand, it is never too late to offer your fetus optimal conditions for development. You can, for example, decide today to put your alcohol consumption on hold during your pregnancy and opt for mocktails or smoothies.
Alcohol during conception
That's it, you have just plunged into the adventure of motherhood and you are trying to conceive a little angel. You take your vitamins and have adopted he althy lifestyle habits, but one question is bothering you: can you drink alcohol during this period?design?
Since we know that the embryo is extremely vulnerable during the first trimester and we do not know the exact moment of fertilization, it is better to reduce your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether during the design period. This last option remains, without a doubt, the safest choice.
A glass of wine from time to time
Do you have a special occasion to celebrate or are you simply an epicurean and like to accompany your meal with a good glass of wine, but do not know if you can keep this habit?
First, it should be noted that between a beer and a glass of wine, besides your preference, there is no difference since each contains the same amount of alcohol if we refer by the standard glass: 40 ml (12 oz) of beer at 5% alcohol, 140 ml (5 oz) of wine at 12% alcohol or 45 ml (1.5 oz) of spirits at 40% alcohol. In short, one is not less or more dangerous than the other.
Experts rightly believe that alcohol consumption should be avoided during pregnancy, even though there is no evidence that drinking occasion would be harmful to the foetus. We know that the toxic effect of alcohol is proportional to the quantity ingested and the frequency of consumption.
On the other hand, we also do not know the minimum threshold of safe consumption for the child to come and we must remember it. In all cases, alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a determining factor in the risksspontaneous abortions, malformations, growth retardation and mental deficiencies. Seen in this light, it is best to consult a he althcare professional if you have any concerns about your drinking or want help.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
As the first three trimesters of pregnancy represent a critical period for the fetus, avoid exposing it to any harmful substance (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc.). We tend to forget it, because the consumption of alcohol is well integrated into our mores, but it remains a toxic substance which passes directly from the blood of the mother to that of the unborn child and can therefore increase the risk of suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can therefore be one of the consequences of frequent alcohol consumption in relatively large quantities.
If I'm breastfeeding, can I drink alcohol?
As alcohol passes through breast milk, it is ingested by the baby. Although it is in a small proportion, it is enough to be harmful to him. Breastfeeding women should therefore abstain from drinking alcohol or stick to a few occasional drinks (no more than two drinks per occasion). And don't forget: it takes at least two hours for the body to eliminate a glass of alcohol and, consequently, you must leave enoughtime between consumption and feeding.
