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There is no such thing
as a ‘safe amount’ of alcohol that can be consumed
during pregnancy. In fact, alcohol can do more damage to the
developing embryo and fetus than illegal or legal drugs.1
The message is clear: No alcoholic beverage is safe during pregnancy.
Alcohol can have an effect as early as 21 days into the pregnancy!
The Minnesota Department of Health gives the following information
about the effect of alcohol throughout a women’s pregnancy:
(See website address: http://www.mofas.org/guidelines/danger/htm)
Alcohol use
in the first trimester may:
 Cause the greatest brain damage
Impair cell development
Affect major organs such as the
heart, liver and kidneys
Cause facial malformations
Cause miscarriage
Alcohol use
in the second trimester may:
Impair brain development
Cause miscarriage which may be
life threatening for the mother
Damage muscles, skin, teeth, glands,
and bones
Alcohol use
in the third trimester may:
Impair brain and lung development
Prevent adequate weight gain for
the fetus
Cause early labor and delivery
1 Minnesota Department of Health
1999: Pregnancy Dangers: Guidelines. http://www.mofas.org/guidelines/danger.htm
(3 October 2001). |
