The Effects of Alcohol During Pregnancy

A fetus in the womb is a healthy living organism. The fetus gets its needs from the mother through the placenta. Consequently, drinking alcohol during pregnancy has serious consequences for the fetus. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

• Affects the development of some vital organs like the brain
• It causes the baby to be born prematurely
• It can cause a pregnant woman to not feel the pain of childbirth.

Also, when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol, it can have serious consequences for the health of newborns. This is due to the effects of alcohol on the body. When a person is drunk, they lose their ability to control themselves. When you are pregnant and drunk, you can fall and lead to miscarriage.

The body lacks essential nutrients when a person consumes alcohol. This deficiency affects both the mother and the baby in the womb. When large amounts of alcohol are consumed, the body thinks its nutritional needs are met. This perception leads to a decrease in the quantity of other foods needed.

Alcohol has a nutritional value of 7 kcal per gram. This is more than the 4 kcal per gram of carbohydrates and proteins. Nonetheless, alcohol does not contain vitamins or minerals. The nutritional values in alcohol are of no help to the body hence called empty calories.

A drunker does not feel like eating. When he does eat, he eats very little. Alcohol causes a serious deficiency of vitamins and minerals.

• Alcohol causes malnutrition. It replaces food, which is a source of nutrients in the body.
• Alcohol also prevents the absorption, storage, and use of essential nutrients.
• Alcohol also affects the intestinal defenses (mucosal immunity) by inhibiting the defenses in one of the main digestive tracts.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using addictive drugs to be safe for you and the baby.