What are the dangers of drinking while pregnant?
Alcohol can damage a fetus’ brain and body. This can result in a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a term used to describe a set of symptoms seen in some children whose mothers drank while pregnant. FAS is a disability that affects how a child looks, thinks, acts and learns. FAS is a lifelong disability its effects do not diminish as the child grows into an adult. Drinking even a moderate amount when pregnant may damage the fetus, causing a range of health problems called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Recent studies have suggested that drinking even very small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the developing brain. The bottom line is that during pregnancy, or if you are thinking of becoming pregnant, there is no safe time or amount to drink. You may have seen signs in restaurants, bars or liquor or beer stores that show a pregnant woman and a message that reads WARNING: Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects and brain
