Effects of Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

Avoid Consuming Alcohol During Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the unborn child, such as increased risk of a woman experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm delivery. Here are some key points to know:

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a range of disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). These include physical problems and learning and behavior issues, in babies and children.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe type of FASD. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. FAS can cause physical defects, neurological issues, and severe learning and/or behavior problems, to include:
  • Physical Defects: Abnormal facial features, growth problems and defects in organs such as the heart and brain.
  • Neurological Problems: Poor coordination, learning difficulties and intellectual disability.
  • Behavioral Issues: Problems with social interaction, attention span and hyperactivity.
• No Safe Amount or Time: There is no known safe amount of alcohol or safe time to drink during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant. A developing baby is exposed to the same concentration of alcohol as the mother during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm a fetus throughout pregnancy, including from the first few weeks before you know you are pregnant through the last weeks of pregnancy when the fetal brain is maturing.
• Prevention: The best way to prevent FASDs is to not drink alcohol at all while pregnant, or when you might become pregnant. This is because a woman could get pregnant and not know for up to 4 to 6 weeks. Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being.

Treating FAS

FAS is a lifelong condition, but early intervention can help improve a child’s development and health. Here are some strategies and services for treating and managing FAS:

• Early Intervention Services: These services can include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and special education support. The earlier these services are started, the better the outcomes tend to be.
• Medication: While there is no specific drug to treat FAS, several types of medications may help manage its symptoms. These include drugs to address mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and other mental health issues.
• Behavioral and Educational Therapy: Children with FAS can benefit from therapies that help improve their social skills, manage behavior and address learning difficulties. This can include behavioral therapy, social skills training and educational interventions.
• Parent Training: Training can help parents and caregivers manage behavioral problems, promote positive parent-child interactions and create a stable, nurturing home environment.
• Supportive Environment: A stable and loving home environment can help children with FAS reach their full potential. This includes establishing routines, setting simple rules and fostering a calm, nurturing environment.
• Medical Care: Regular medical care is important to manage the physical health problems associated with FAS, such as heart abnormalities, problems with kidneys and bones, small head circumference and brain size, vision difficulties or hearing problems, deformities of joints, limbs and fingers and growth problems before and after birth.

Remember, each child with FAS is unique and may require different types of support. It’s important to work with a team to determine the most effective treatment and support options.

Resources

If you need help to quit or limit your drinking, get in contact with your installation’s substance misuse treatment program, as they provide screenings to help identify what type of support you need and what treatment would work best for you. They offer inpatient, partial inpatient, and outpatient treatment options.

Military OneSource
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
You can also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Check out additional resources for Service members (and for professionals who educate, support or work with Service members) here.