Alcohol consumption in pregnancy is contraindicated, because when passing through the placenta, alcohol has to be metabolized by the baby's liver, remaining in your body for some time and may cause:
- Malformations and mental retardation;
- Changes in face and decreased size of skull;
- Delay in development and growth;
- Increased risk of miscarriage;
- Heart problems;
- Increased risk of the baby being born prematurely and underweight.
Another consequence of ingestion of alcohol in pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome, which is characterized by delayed growth of the baby inside the uterus and after birth, speech and reasoning problems, decreased motor coordination and heart problems. Learn more about this syndrome in: Fetal alcohol syndrome.
Amount of alcohol in pregnancy
There is no scientific evidence on the safe amount of alcohol ingestion by the mother, so alcohol is completely inadvisable during pregnancy. Thus, a good tip for not drinking alcohol in pregnancy is to give preference to beers or cocktails without alcohol, as well as natural juices or water.
