Alcohol may be part of celebrations and social occasions, but during pregnancy it can interfere with the development of a baby’s brain, organs, and nervous system. The safest choice is to avoid alcohol completely when trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy.
International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day (9 September) raises awareness of the lifelong harm caused by alcohol exposure before birth. It also reminds families that there is no known safe amount or type of alcohol to consume at any stage of pregnancy.
Alcohol Reaches Your Baby
When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol enters her bloodstream and passes through the placenta to her baby. A developing baby is unable to process alcohol as effectively as an adult because the liver is not yet fully developed.
This means alcohol can remain in the baby’s body and affect cells that are forming and growing. The brain is especially vulnerable because it develops throughout pregnancy, from the earliest weeks until birth.
Alcohol can disrupt how brain cells develop, move, and connect. Depending on the level and timing of exposure, this may affect a child’s memory, concentration, communication, behaviour, and ability to manage everyday tasks later in life.
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe?
There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. There is also no safe type of alcoholic drink or safe stage of pregnancy in which to consume alcohol.
Beer, wine, cider, spirits, and alcoholic coolers all contain alcohol. Heavy drinking and consuming several drinks over a short period carry a particularly high risk, but smaller amounts cannot be considered risk-free.
The effects are difficult to predict. Two women may drink similar amounts, yet their babies may be affected differently. Risk can depend on how much and how often a woman drinks, the stage of the baby’s development, her health, nutrition, and how her body processes alcohol.
Understanding Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, describes a range of lifelong physical, behavioural, and learning difficulties caused by alcohol exposure before birth. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS, is one of the most severe conditions within this spectrum.
FASD may cause:
- Poor growth before or after birth.
- Problems with memory and concentration.
- Delayed speech and language development.
- Difficulty following instructions.
- Poor balance and coordination.
- Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.
- Difficulty controlling emotions.
- Problems with learning and schoolwork.
- Poor judgement and difficulty understanding consequences.
- Distinctive facial features in some cases.
Not every child with FASD has visible physical differences. A child may appear physically healthy but have serious difficulties with learning, behaviour, emotional control, or social skills. As a result, FASD may be overlooked or confused with other developmental or behavioural conditions.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
What If You Drank Before Knowing You Were Pregnant?
Many women drink alcohol before realising they are pregnant. If this happens, do not panic or allow embarrassment to prevent you from seeking help.
Stop drinking as soon as you discover you are pregnant and speak honestly to a doctor, nurse, or midwife about how much you drank and how often. Stopping at any point prevents further alcohol exposure and gives your baby the best possible chance of healthy development.
Women who struggle to stop drinking should seek professional support. Those who drink heavily or may be physically dependent on alcohol should not suddenly stop without medical advice, as withdrawal can be dangerous and may require supervised treatment.
The Safest Choice
FASD has no cure, but early diagnosis and appropriate medical, educational, and emotional support can help affected children develop skills and reach their potential. The message is simple: if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, avoiding alcohol completely is the safest choice for your baby.
Affinity Health’s Combined Plan gives members access to unlimited 24/7 telephonic health advice and nurse consultations, as well as unlimited in-network GP consultations through referral. Members registered on the Maternity Management Programme also receive medical advice and pregnancy monitoring from pregnancy through birth and up to six weeks after delivery, plus an additional specialist visit of up to R1 000. Cover for childbirth is available only on the Hospital and Combined Plans.
