Why Should You Not Consume Alcohol During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a period of joy, but it also entails responsibilities for the health of the baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is an important concern, despite many warnings and guidelines. This article explains why moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy should be avoided for the baby’s sake. This blog discusses why alcohol and pregnancy should never mix.

LINK BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND PREGNANCY: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

The alcohol consumption during pregnancy has severe effects on the mother and the foetus. There is a wide range of risks, and these have been documented through scientific evidence.

• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder refers to the set of disorders that bring about life-long problems in a foetus brought about by maternal alcohol consumption during the mother’s gestation period.
• Foetal Alcohol Syndrome might lead to such facial and growth deficiency together with possible central nervous system damage as well.
• FASD is manageable and preventable by simply avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.
• Other FASD Conditions: This may involve birth defects, learning disabilities, problems with attention, memory deficits, and impulsive control.
• Increased Risk of Miscarriage and Stillbirth: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth due to toxic effects on the foetus, causing pregnancy loss and devastating consequences for expecting parents.
• Developmental and Physical Birth Defects: Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk factor for birth defects that will include heart, kidney, skeletal, and brain defects. These defects may range from severe to milder ones, hence affecting the child’s health and putting a great demand on medical care until later stages in life.
• Neurodevelopmental Impairments: Exposure to alcohol during pregnancy impairs foetal brain development with neurodevelopmental impairments, leading to possible defects in the child, which may involve cognitive deficiencies, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, inability to get along well with other people, or difficulty controlling emotions. It may impair the quality of life or performance at school and within society.
• Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight:  Pregnancy-related alcohol intake contributes to infant preterm birth and low birth weight, which in turn causes neonatal morbidity, mortality, long-term health issues, and life-long impacts on the development and well-being of a child.
• Miscarriage and Stillbirth: Drinking Alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, possibly due to disruptions in placental function and foetal development.
• Low Birth Weight

Intake of alcohol during pregnancy leads to low birth weight or an underweight baby. Consequently, this can also cause other medical complications among infants related to delayed development.

• Long-Term Developmental and Behavioural Issues

Taking alcohol during pregnancy may affect the foetus and the child may suffer lifelong impairments, including ADHD, mood disorders, and problems in social adjustment later in life.

• Learning Disabilities and Speech Delays

Exposure to alcohol can impact brain development; therefore, issues such as language, speech, and comprehension may occur when a child grows up.

ALCOHOL’S IMPACT ON FOETAL DEVELOPMENT

Alcohol can pass very easily through the placenta and hence can directly influence the developing foetus. The foetuses cannot metabolize alcohol well as compared to adults since they do not have the enzymes needed in alcohol metabolism, leading to a higher level of alcohol in their bloodstream. Such exposure may interfere with crucial stages of development, particularly in the brain and other organs.

Since the foetal brain grows relatively fast during pregnancy, it is susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol and can be damaged in terms of structure and function. Such damages may be expressed through learning disabilities, poor impulse control, memory problems, or attention difficulties.

Prenatal alcohol exposure increases the risks for preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, placental abruption, and stillbirth, which affect the health of both mother and baby over time.

CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS

Avoid alcohol in breastfeeding mothers, but moderate drinking by breastfeeding mothers is usually safe and may be undertaken daily up to one standard drink if the waiting time from a standard drink is more than 2 hours prior to breastfeeding.

Alcohol Exposure in Breastfeeding

• Alcohol consumption can harm babies’ development, growth, and sleep patterns.
• Consumption can impair judgement and caregiving abilities.
• Recommendations: Wait at least 2 hours before breastfeeding for each standard drink.
• Milk can be expressed and discarded post-alcoholic to ease discomfort.

IS CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR IN PREGNANCY SAFE FOR PREGNANCY?

Pregnant women are often advised not to consume alcohol, as it can cause significant health issues for both mother and baby. However, small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy in the first trimester may be less risky, as it doesn’t increase the risk of high blood pressure complications, premature birth, or low birth weights.

ROLE OF TRIMACARE PREGNANCY SUPPLEMENTS IN ENSURING HEALTHY PREGNANCY TO ALCOHOLIC PREGNANT WOMEN

Prenatal vitamins are important for the pregnant alcoholic to avoid any deficit caused by alcohol use in their diet. A pregnant woman should have access to prenatal multivitamins that provide necessary folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids that assist with foetal development while being preventive against alcohol-induced effects.

Prenatal vitamins are vital for the mother’s health and that of the baby during pregnancy; however, most importantly for alcoholic women alcohol could lead to issues such as FASDs, and impairments of functions including physical, cognitive, as well as behavioural.

For alcoholic pregnant women, the Trimacare pregnancy supplement plays an essential role in mitigating possible harm due to alcohol while supporting a healthier outcome from pregnancy.

Trimacare pregnancy supplement has the potential to counter some adverse effects due to alcohol and promote an efficient outcome in pregnancy.

Here’s how Trimacare can help:

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to nutrient deficiencies, negatively impacting the mother and the developing foetus. Trimacare prenatal tablet, based on ICMR and WHO Multi-Micronutrient Model, provides trimester-specific care for Indian mothers and their unborn children at every stage of pregnancy.

The Trimacare prenatal multivitamin comprises more than 20 necessary nutrients. The essential nutrients for foetal development provided by the Trimacare pregnancy supplement include folic acid, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, which would help with the healthy growth and development of the baby despite some challenges presented by alcohol consumption.

Nutrients in Trimacare prenatal multivitamin

• Folic Acid:  Folic acid is one of the crucial nutrients that a woman requires during her pregnancy because it avoids neural tube defects, but alcohol intake hampers its absorption. Therefore, this risk can be minimized with the use of the Trimacare multivitamin tablet. Trimacare Pregnancy Supplement has L-methyl folate. It is 7 times more bioavailable than folic acid prevents neural tube defects in the baby and facilitates tissue growth in the mother.
• Iron: Alcohol leads to iron deficiency anaemia in the mother and the foetus. Prenatal vitamins which contain iron can therefore be taken to prevent it or relieve Trimacare 2 and 3 prenatal tablets contain 60mg of iron, which helps to build up baby’s blood supply and oxygen transport: preventing anaemia in pregnancy.
• Calcium- Calcium supplementation is very important while in pregnancy. Alcohol inhibits calcium absorption, and thus the supplement ensures a proper development of the skeleton of the baby. Trimacare prenatal tablet contains calcium for bone and teeth development, contraction of muscles, regulation of hormones, and nerve cell functioning during the second and third trimesters of conception.

• Vitamin D-  Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and is an immune modulator, thereby preventing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. It is very important in preventing complications of pregnancy and ensuring healthy outcomes. Trimacare 3 prenatal multivitamins contain 400 IU of Vitamin D, filling in the dietary gaps 100% with Vitamin D2 in the form of ergocalciferol.
• Vitamin B-  Alcohol consumption also reduces the levels of B vitamins. Trimacare Pregnancy supplements contain Vitamin B6 that helps in relieving morning sickness and assists in the formation of neural tubes, DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, better energy, and mood and decreases stress level.
• Omega 3- DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids, necessary for pregnancy, in support of the baby’s development of brain and eyes. They also have the function of improving the mother’s health. Omega-3 supplementation improves attention, learning, and language in children. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Trimacare 1 and Trimacare 2 prenatal tablets contain 100 mg and 200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids.
• It does provide useful support, although abstinence from alcohol is a safe decision. Prenatal care supplemented by well-planned prenatal vitamins from companies such as Trimacare should be part of regular visits by healthcare providers, such as when alcohol use or addiction problems are involved.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there different types of alcohol that are safer for the pregnant woman than others?

Ans- There is no safe type of alcohol when pregnant. Beer, wine, and spirits all contain alcohol that can affect the development of a baby, so both should be avoided altogether.

What if I find it difficult to stop drinking when pregnant?

Ans- If you are having trouble stopping drinking, consult your healthcare provider. They can provide support, resources, and referrals to counselling or treatment to help safeguard your baby’s health.

Can I take supplements to counteract the effects of alcohol during pregnancy?

Ans- Prenatal vitamins only guarantee the baby’s general health; this cannot reverse or undo alcohol exposure but avoid completely alcohol during pregnancy.

Why is alcohol dangerous for an unborn baby?

Ans– Alcohol crosses the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. A foetus is not able to metabolize alcohol well so the substance can reach high concentration levels and interfere with normal development, especially to the brain and vital organs.