Alcoholism and Pregnancy

Submitted by Mark Berman Wed 04/27/2011

It's a simple fact that all of us know -- pregnant women should not drink alcohol. However many women stunningly still do it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists five things every woman should know about pregnancy and alcohol.

1) Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with birth defects and have disabilities
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) can lead to developmental, learning and behavioral problems. They can also cause defects of the heart, brain, and other major organs that last a lifetime.

2) There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant
All drinks with alcohol can hurt an unborn baby, no exceptions.

3) There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy
Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during pregnancy, even in the early weeks before a woman might know she is pregnant.

4) Too many women continue to drink during pregnancy
About 1 in 30 women in the United States reports binge drinking during their pregnancy.

5) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% preventable
FASDs are preventable -- just stay away from alcohol while you are pregnant.

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