An unborn baby depends on his mother for nourishment. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol or takes drugs, she risks damaging her unborn child. The good news is that alcohol or drug-related birth defects can be prevented. All the mother has to do during her pregnancy is to not drink alcohol or take drugs. A baby is at risk for many preventable problems if the mother drinks alcohol, including beer and wine, during pregnancy.
Babies born to mothers who drink can develop fetal alcohol syndrome.
It is uncertain how much alcohol it takes to create a fetal alcohol syndrome infant. Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of three leading causes of physical and mental birth defects. When there is alcohol in the mother's blood, it is in her unborn baby's blood as well. Many of these babies suffer alcohol withdrawal, which can last from 1 week up to 6 months. The signs are agitation, tremors, and seizures.