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Drinking alcohol can harm your physical health, behavior and relationships. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, drinking alcohol also can harm your baby. Alcohol can affect your baby's development in the very first weeks—before you know you are pregnant
If you are drinking, you can have a miscarriage or your baby may have some problems, including: - Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Facial deformity
- Hearing and vision problems
- Growth deficits
- Motor-skills problems
- Hyperactivity
- Memory, attention and judgment problems
- Language problems
- Difficulties in school.
Remember, there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.If you're pregnant, don't drink. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
About half of all pregnancies are unplanned. You can expose your baby to alcohol if you drink without knowing you are pregnant. If you are trying to become pregnant, don't drink; and if you are sexually active, be sure to use contraception.
See your doctor and get prenatal care as soon as you think you're pregnant. It's important to see your doctor regularly throughout pregnancy, so be sure to keep all your prenatal care appointments.
Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies may contain alcohol or other ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy. Ask your health care provider about prescription or over-the-counter drugs that you are taking or may consider taking while pregnant.
Never be afraid to ask your doctor or health care provider questions about your health. It is better to take all precautions and discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Can I drink alcohol when I am pregnant? No. Do not drink alcohol when you are pregnant. When you drink alcohol, such as beer, wine, or mixed drinks, so does your baby. Alcohol is a substance known to be harmful to human development. When it reaches the blood supply of the baby, it can cause permanent defects to the major organs and central nervous system. Is there any kind of alcohol I can drink during pregnancy? No. Drinking any kind of alcohol can hurt your baby. Alcoholic drinks can include beer, wine, liquor, wine coolers, or mixed drinks. What if I am pregnant and have been drinking? If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking now. Anytime a pregnant woman stops drinking, she decreases the risk of harm to the baby. If you are trying to get pregnant, do not drink alcohol. You may not know you are pregnant right away. What if I drank during my last pregnancy and my baby was fine? Every pregnancy is different. Drinking alcohol may hurt one baby more than another. You could have one child who is born healthy, and another child who is born with problems.
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