Birth defects, particularly of the heart, can happen more often in children of mothers who regularly use alcohol. Even if a baby does have FAS at birth, the subtle effects of alcohol exposure might not show up until years later in the form of behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and lower IQ scores. Alcohol effects women and babies differently. Research suggests that high blood alcohol levels in the mother are associated with alcohol related defects in the baby. Alcohol does pass the placenta and the baby is exposed to the same alcohol concentrations as the mother.
Some studies suggest that moderate drinking is associated with a doubled miscarriage rate.
The baby will benefit if the mother stops drinking immediately. Stopping immediately will help the baby by preventing further exposure to alcohol. It is clear that the more one drinks and the longer into the pregnancy alcohol is consumed, the higher the risks for having a baby with some effect of prenatal alcohol exposure. If you need help to stop using alcohol, please contact your health care provider for immediate assistance. Human Teratogens Course, May 1997.