What happens if you drink alcohol while pregnant?

Usually there is no connection between pregnancy and drinking, because we all know that you can't drink alcohol during pregnancy. In addition to drinking alcohol directly, no products containing alcohol can be used. The main reason is that alcohol is not good for the fetus. We do not support pregnant women drinking alcohol, but what should some pregnant women do when they don’t know they are pregnant or accidentally consume foods containing alcohol? What will happen if you drink alcohol when you are pregnant?

Generally, you cannot drink alcohol during pregnancy, as it cannot be ruled out that it may affect the baby. The ethanol in alcohol has a certain impact on the development of the fetus, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when the fetal organs are formed. Drinking alcohol may cause fetal malformations. After birth, the physical strength and intelligence of the fetus will be lower than that of a normal child, and growth and development will be delayed.

If you are planning to have this child, it is recommended that you pay attention to regular checkups during pregnancy. Down syndrome screening is done at 14-19 weeks of pregnancy, and four-dimensional color ultrasound prenatal screening is done at 22-26 weeks of pregnancy. If necessary, amniocentesis and umbilical cord blood analysis are done at 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. This can clarify the baby's development in the uterus and terminate the pregnancy in time if any abnormalities are found.

The theory that drinking a small amount of alcohol is beneficial for pregnant women - is it true or a fallacy?

Some gynecologists once believed that drinking small amounts of alcohol is not only harmless but also beneficial. The mistake of these gynecologists was that they confused the benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol, especially red wine, on cardiovascular health with the effects of drinking alcohol on fetal development during pregnancy.

As early as 2002, American scientists conducted a survey on the health of pregnant women who drank small amounts of alcohol and their children. The results found that even if the women drank very little in the early stages of pregnancy, their children still weighed less than other children of the same age when they were 14 years old. In 2004, a study also found that drinking small amounts of alcohol would still affect children's memory and learning ability.

The American Pregnancy and Occupational Health Association believes that there is currently no clear safe limit for drinking during pregnancy; the more alcohol consumed, the higher the safety risk faced by the baby and the pregnant woman, and alcohol abuse is the most harmful (alcohol abuse refers to drinking more than 5 drinks per time, or drinking more than 7 times a week). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also recommends that pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant try to abstain from alcohol.

Drinking during pregnancy not only affects the fetus, but also has little benefit to the pregnant woman herself. There is a saying that although toasting is good, don't drink too much. Expectant mothers must restrain themselves if they can for the sake of their children and themselves!