What You Should Know If You Drank Alcohol While You Were Pregnant
(including Drinking Any Amount of Beer, Wine or Spirits at any time During Pregnancy)
First, don’t panic. Just keep reading.
What if I Drank Before I Knew
I was Pregnant?
Again, don’t panic. The best thing you can do is to abstain from drinking alcohol as soon as you know you might be pregnant. The sooner you stop drinking alcohol, which includes wine, wine coolers, beer, and spirits / hard liquor, etc., the better it will be for both you and your baby.
Then make sure you are maximizing those things you have control over like getting regular prenatal care, taking good care of yourself by stopping smoking, eating healthy and getting plenty of rest. It is also a good idea to talk to your health care provider about any concerns you may have.
Not every woman who consumes alcohol during pregnancy will give birth to a child with an Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). However, because science has not determined a safe level of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy, the possibility of an FASD is created anytime a woman consumes alcohol, including beer, wine, spirits, etc., while pregnant. Find answers to common questions you may have.
Are You Concerned about Your Drinking (or Drug Use)?
While avoiding drinking alcohol during pregnancy may seem like a simple action to some, it is not always that easy for everyone. This is especially true for a person struggling with alcohol and/or drug use. Some individuals need extra help to stop drinking alcohol when they are pregnant, or before becoming pregnant. There is help available! Learn more about support and treatment options.
Celebrate an Alcohol-Free Pregnancy
Congratulations! Indiana NOFAS encourages you to celebrate an alcohol-free pregnancy. Drinking alcohol, including beer, wine, spirits, etc., during pregnancy can cause a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). FASD cannot be cured, but it can be prevented by abstaining from alcohol – including red wine, white wine, wine coolers, beer or spirits / hard liquor (whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.) during your pregnancy. If you are pregnant, just remember “049” – Zero Alcohol for 9 Months.
Love. Hope. Joy. Three words that are inspiring, uplifting and empowering. And often times, describes a mom-to-be’s emotions about her pregnancy and dreams for her child.
