Can I drink alcohol while pregnant?

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can I drink alcohol while pregnant
Can I Drink Alcohol In Pregnancy? How Much Alcohol Is Safe To Drink In Pregnancy? And In Which Trimester?

Dear Doctor,

I am Abby. 

I’m currently  7 weeks pregnant and I had 3 shots of vodka.  Will this affect my baby?

Does Vodka contain a large amount of alcohol? Is alcohol safe to drink in pregnancy?

Abby.

Hello Abby,

Welcome to Aries Obgyn Clinic.

Can I have more details please?

  • When did you get your last period? Date?
  • When did you take the Vodka?
  • What medicines or supplements are you on?
  • When did you get your last period?
  • Did you get an ultrasound yet?
  • Are you on any  prenatals?

Dr.M.D.Mazumdar

Dear Doctor,

My last period was on August 15th.

I have  not as yet got an ultrasound. But I  have gone to see my family doctor and the prenatals I am taking are the Centrum.

I am not on any other medicine.

I took the Vodka last evening. 

Abby.

Dear Abby,

Alcohol at any time during the pregnancy is not safe. 

It is most unsafe in thefirst trimestersince that is the time when the fetus is developing the different body organs.

Alcohol can cause a syndrome known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). It can cause low birth weight, eye and ear  problems, behavioral issues and problems with sleeping and eating.

Even minimal amounts of alcohol may not be safe in pregnancy. Less than 2 drinks per day may not cause any effects although it cannot be ruled out.

Drinking more than 2 shots a day  or binge drinking can cause FAS.

Please inform your doctor about drinking the alcohol   at  your next visit.  

You will need close  monitoring during the pregnancy.

Dr. M.D.Mazumdar

 

That is scary!

Do all  babies  suffer from the FES? What chance is  there that my baby is affected?

Thanks for the information,

Abby

Abby,

No, not all babies are affected.  About 1 in 20 (5%) of babies exposed to alcohol during pregnancy can suffer from FAS. But this is a high risk, And you doctor will need to follow you closely during your pregnancy.

Dr. Mazumdar

OK.

I will tell my doctor about  it – I did not know that you cannot drink alcohol while pregnant.

I hope my baby is fine.

Thank you for your help.

You are welcome.

Let me know if I can help you further. Or if you need more information.

Dr. Mazumdar,

Aries Obgyn Clinic.

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Dr Madhumita Das Mazumdar

Dr. Madhumita Das Mazumdar is a Senior Consultant Gynecologist and also the CEO/Founder of Aries Online and O&G Clinic at Guwahati. She has more than two decades of experience in obstetrics and gynecology. She started this website when she noticed the lack of accurate information on medical issues on the internet. She wanted a way to offer women the ability to consult online - to be able to discuss their problems and to get a second opinion on their ultrasound and mammography reports anonymously from the comfort of their home.

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