Alcohol in pregnancy

The effects of alcohol in pregnancy

When a woman who's pregnant drinks alcohol, the levels of alcohol in her baby's blood rise as high as her own. But because the baby's liver is immature, it can't metabolise (or break down) the alcohol as fast as an adult can. So the baby is exposed to greater amounts of alcohol for longer than the mother.

Foetal alcohol syndrome

When an unborn baby is constantly exposed to alcohol, a particular group of problems can develop, known as foetal alcohol syndrome. This consists of:

• Growth problems, starting with low birth weight.
• Problems with the central nervous system, such as developmental delays and learning difficulties, restlessness and irritability.
• Abnormal facial features, including small head, narrow eye slits, a flat face and loss of the groove between nose and upper lip.
• Abnormalities in other body parts, including muscles, heart and kidneys. All these problems are permanent, although surgery can correct some features.

How much is too much?

The government advises pregnant women to avoid alcohol completely, although the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says there's no evidence a couple of units once or twice a week will harm the baby. Binges (for example, getting drunk), even if you don’t do it regularly, are definitely to be avoided.

The main problem is that the levels of alcohol and its effect vary from person to person, so you can't predict the harm. Some women drink heavily with no apparent problem, while some babies are harmed when their mothers drink only moderate amounts.

The greatest risk is probably in the early stages of the pregnancy, when rapid growth by the baby may be disrupted, abnormal features may develop and early brain development can be affected.

There is also an increased risk of miscarriage at the beginning and later on in pregnancy, and a greater risk of premature birth.

Later in pregnancy, drinking alcohol impairs overall growth. Alcohol is particularly toxic to brain cells at this stage, resulting in a small brain and further developmental problems.

Although the father's drinking habits don't directly cause foetal alcohol syndrome, it can strongly influence a woman's own behaviour. Ensure they are aware of your concerns.