Health Topics for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Department of Pediatrics

UI Family Care Center

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy

While you are pregnant, drinking any amount of alcohol is not a safe choice for your baby. Everything you eat and drink goes to the baby. Because of the baby's small size, an alcoholic drink that makes you feel relaxed is dangerous to your baby.

You may have seen a warning label on every can or bottle that contains alcohol. The warning says women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Some drinks that contain alcohol are:

• beer
• wine or wine coolers
• mixed drinks made with any alcohol or hard liquor (like whiskey, vodka, tequila, or gin) or
• brandy liqueurs like kaluha

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a term used for certain problems that a baby may have if the mother is a heavy user of alcohol when she is pregnant. This does not mean the mother has to drink every day. Getting drunk occasionally or binge drinking can have the same serious effects.

Some of the birth defects caused by alcohol are:

• mental retardation
• growth retardation
• heart defects
• abnormal appearance of the face and
• disorders of the nervous system

If you usually drink alcohol at social events, ask for soda, fruit juice, water, or alcohol- free beer or wine. Mixed drinks can be made without alcohol. Do not celebrate anything with alcohol. Do not hesitate to ask for support from your family, friends, or healthcare professionals to help stop drinking during your pregnancy.

If you have any questions about drinking during pregnancy and the effects it can have, ask your healthcare provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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