No, it is not safe to drink alcohol at any stage during pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization and health authorities worldwide, there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, and even small amounts can harm the developing fetus. Alcohol can cross the placenta and affect the baby’s brain, organs, and growth, increasing the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), including the most severe form—Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). These conditions can lead to lifelong physical, mental, and behavioral problems. Because the impact of alcohol varies depending on timing, quantity, and individual differences, the safest choice is to completely avoid alcohol throughout pregnancy.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe form of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. It leads to permanent physical, neurological, and behavioral impairments, including growth delays, distinct facial abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and issues with attention, memory, and social behavior. In South Africa, FAS is a serious public health concern—with the country reported to have one of the highest rates of FASD globally. Studies have shown prevalence rates as high as 111 per 1,000 live births in some communities, particularly in the Western Cape, where generations of alcohol abuse have compounded the issue. With no cure and lifelong consequences, FAS is entirely preventable by abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy.
- Did you know that when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, it reaches the baby as well?
- Alcohol passes through the placenta, straight to the unborn baby.
- When a woman drinks during pregnancy, it increases the possibility that the newborn baby may pick up a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
- FASD is made up of all the birth problems that may be experienced by a mother who drinks alcohol while pregnant.
What You Need To Know About Alcohol
Alcohol is classified as a teratogen, which means it is a substance known to interfere with the normal development of an unborn baby. When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, it passes directly through the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. Unlike adults, a fetus has an underdeveloped liver and lacks the ability to efficiently process alcohol. This means that alcohol stays in the baby’s system much longer, leading to a higher risk of developmental damage.
Even small amounts of alcohol can disrupt the critical formation of the baby’s brain, heart, and other organs. Studies show that prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), a range of lifelong conditions that include intellectual disabilities, learning problems, behavioral issues, and physical abnormalities. The most severe form, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), is linked to permanent growth delays, facial deformities, and central nervous system damage.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy—regardless of whether it’s wine, beer, or spirits—and no safe time to drink, not even in the early stages when a woman might not yet know she’s pregnant. Health experts globally, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unanimously advise that the only way to completely prevent FASDs is to avoid alcohol altogether while pregnant or trying to conceive.
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How Alcohol Affects Your Baby
When a woman is pregnant, the unborn baby will continue to grow inside their mother’s womb.
The early stage of pregnancy signals the development of all the important body organs: the heart, eyes, nervous system, arms and legs.
After 3 weeks, the brain will begin to form and will continue to grow until birth. The latter stages of pregnancy will see your unborn baby quickly grow in size. Drinking lots of alcohol during this time can stunt this development.
Another consequence of excessive drinking during pregnancy is that the baby could suffer Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), which are irreparable physical, psychological and behavioural faults.
In some cases, woman will drink alcohol without even knowing that they are pregnant. If this happens, it isn’t the end of the world. What is key is to stop drinking immediately and seek the help of a medical professional.
The maths simple, the more you drink, the higher are the chances that your baby could be affected by FASD. However, it’s also been found that even drinking a little alcohol may also cause FASD.
That’s why it’s best to not drink at all. We urge all soon-to-be-mothers to please refrain from drinking any alcohol during their pregnancy.
If you or a loved one needs alcoholic help, we provide access into the best private alcohol rehabilitation centres in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors assist in finding the right treatment available.