If you drink alcohol during pregnancy you may be hurting your baby. Alcohol affects the fetus during the first month of pregnancy. It can cause brain damage, and mental and physical retardation. This condition is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
Because even small amounts of alcohol can affect the fetus, if you are pregnant it is important not drink any alcoholic beverages. It is also important to stop drinking as soon as you plan to become pregnant, since some damage may have already occurred before you know you are pregnant.
FAS can happen if you drink as few as 2 drink per day. FAS can also occur if you drink fewer than 2 drinks a day on average, but have many drinks on a few occasions.
To find out more about non-alcoholic drinks, read the file, "Mocktails or Alcohol-free Drinks."
If you have questions about what you are eating or drinking during pregnancy, go to "Ask the Nutritionist."
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