Home » Things to Avoid during Pregnancy » Alcohol Consuming excessive amount of liquor is one of the things to avoid during pregnancy. Alcohol not only affects the mother adversely, it may also harm the newborn in more than one ways. While doctors usually prescribe a limited amount of alcohol for pregnant women, it is always better to abstain from it altogether. Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy worsens up the prenatal state and puts the life of your baby at stake. It is like sharing your intoxication with someone who is not mentally and clinically developed enough to experience such things. So you can imagine it pretty well the kind of impact alcohol is likely to leave upon your newborn darling. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, alcohol directly enters the incoherent system of your baby.

Now you might be wondering why is it considered so noxious during pregnancy? Experts say that alcohol consumption during pregnancy affects the overall cognitive development of a baby. The mental and psychological aspects as well remain in a flux if a pregnant woman keeps on consuming liquor. Taking in alcohol during the initial phases of pregnancy poses maximum risk for the baby. This stage is critical because the basic organs are developed during this time. Cells are also multiplied speedily. The general health condition both of the mother and baby remains vulnerable. So drinking alcohol may bring on some real health hazards. As a pregnant mother, it is advisable not to drink alcohol at all. The more you are going to have this, you and your child are going to become more susceptible to complications. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that a pregnant woman should abstain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the gestational period. Since it is difficult to determine how much alcohol is 'safe', no chances should be taken at all.

Health issues that might plague you because of your drinking habit before, during or after pregnancy include:

Depression Increased risk of a few types of cancer Impaired functioning of internal organs, including your liver, brain and digestive system Lack of vitamin and mineral

For the newborns, alcohol may result in lethal complications, such as:

Fetal alcohol syndrome (the commonest reason of mental slowdown) Low birth weight Lack of power to concentrate Physical deformities Miscarriage or abortion Hyperactivity

The ill signs of mother's alcoholic indulgence sometimes last up to the adolescent days of a child. Earlier it was thought that moderate amount of alcohol consumption did not have much effect in the cognitive upbringing of the baby. But of late it's been seen that even a glass a day can be unsafe.

So if you are expecting, try not to get into this habit of alcohol consumption. In case you are finding it hard to give up, do consult your obstetrician. After all you are doing all these for the well being of your beloved child.