Drinking while pregnant

According to this new study from the CDC's ongoing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (www.cdc.gov), 1 in 10 pregnant women in USA consume alcohol and over 3 % binge drink. But what many women may not be aware of is that drinking alcohol during pregnancy not only can cause miscarriages and stillbirths but also Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). FASD can cause symptoms such as learning disabilities, hyperactivity, speech and language delay, growth deficits and physical impairments. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy as alcohol passes from the mother's bloodstream through the umbilical cord directly to the developing baby.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are completely preventable, according to the CDC. If a woman does not drink alcohol during pregnancy, her child has zero risk of a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. When pregnant moms- to-be ask me if it is ok for them to drink alcohol even on occasion (whether it's wine, beer or liquor) my response is " why take the risk?"

*For more info on FASD: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/