Is drinking alcohol during pregnancy harmful to the fetus?
Disease description:
Recently, my wife became pregnant, but we previously lacked sufficient knowledge about certain aspects of prenatal care. In particular, regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy, we would like to know whether it could have any adverse effects on the fetus if my wife occasionally drinks alcohol after becoming pregnant.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
Drinking alcohol after becoming pregnant can affect the fetus, as alcohol can pass through the placenta into the fetal body, interfering with the normal development of the fetus.
Prenatal alcohol exposure may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, a serious condition that affects the development of the fetal central nervous system, causing problems such as intellectual disability, growth and developmental delays, and facial deformities. In addition, alcohol may increase the risk of abnormal development of the fetus's heart and blood vessels, interfere with the normal development of the immune system, and make the fetus more susceptible to diseases. At the same time, drinking during pregnancy may also increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Moreover, alcohol can affect the fetal brain development and intellectual level, potentially leading to intellectual disability, learning difficulties, and social problems.
Therefore, to ensure the health of the fetus, it is recommended that pregnant women strictly avoid alcohol consumption throughout the entire pregnancy. If alcohol was consumed before realizing the pregnancy, seek medical attention promptly and provide the doctor with detailed information regarding alcohol consumption, so that the doctor can perform a comprehensive assessment and provide appropriate medical guidance.
