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There is no safe amount or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy or when planning pregnancy. Women who drink during pregnancy risk giving birth to a baby with behaviour problems, growth deficiency, developmental disability, head and facial deformities, joint and limb abnormalities and heart defects.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding:
Some pregnancies are not planned, and you may have been drinking alcohol before you knew you were pregnant. Once you find out you’re pregnant, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol immediately. Every day without alcohol makes a difference. If you’re concerned about the risks to the fetus, it’s best to seek the advice of a health care provider.
If you drink alcohol while you are pregnant, you may be at risk of giving birth to a baby with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is a diagnostic term that describes a range of disabilities (physical, social, mental/emotional) that may affect people whose birth mothers drank alcohol while they were pregnant.
FASD may include problems with learning and/or behaviour such as; doing math, thinking things through, learning from experience, understanding the consequences of his or her actions and remembering things. It may also affect the development of vision, hearing, kidneys, heart and bones.
No one knows how much is safe for a developing baby. When you drink alcohol during pregnancy, it rapidly reaches your baby through your bloodstream. Alcohol is known to harm the developing cells. The effect of alcohol on the developing baby can vary depending on the health of the pregnant woman and also the amount, pattern and timing of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Binge drinking (drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time) is especially bad for the developing baby.
Everything! Beer, wine, cocktails, coolers, hard liquors (such as whiskey, gin or vodka), liqueurs or even hard ciders all contain alcohol that can hurt your developing baby. There is no alcohol that is “safe” to drink when you are pregnant.
There is no known time during pregnancy when it has been determined that it is safe to drink alcohol.
No one knows for sure how much drinking causes FASD. That means that there is no safe amount of alcohol you can drink while you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
FASD cannot be cured. People live with FASD for their entire life. However, people with FASD can still do very well with helpful supports and services. Some examples include special education, vocational programs, tutors, structured environments and lifelong care. They can find paid work or go to school if given special assistance.
No. FASD can only be caused when a birth mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. However, it is known that women with partners who drink are more likely to drink themselves during pregnancy. Fathers, partners, family and friends can play a big role by supporting a woman’s choice not to drink when they are having a baby.
Source: Government of Canada