Alcohol

Should I avoid it? Yes! Although it may seem harmless to have a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer out with friends, no one has determined what is a "safe amount" of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by the consumption of a large amount of alcohol during pregnancy. What that amount is versus a safe amount is really not known. Because of the uncertainty, it's always wise to err on the side of caution and not drink any alcohol at all while you're pregnant.
What are the risks to my baby? One of the most common known causes of mental and physical birth defects, alcohol produces more severe abnormalities in a developing fetus than heroin, cocaine, or marijuana.
Alcohol is easily passed along to the baby, who is less able to eliminate alcohol than the mother. That means an unborn baby tends to develop a high concentration of alcohol, which stays in the baby's system for longer periods than it would in the mother's. And moderate alcohol intake, as well as periodic binge drinking, can possibly damage a baby's developing nervous.

systemWhat can I do about it? If you had a drink or two before you even knew you were pregnant (as many women do), don't worry too much about it. But your best bet is to not drink any more alcohol for the rest of your pregnancy.
If you're an alcoholic or think you may have a drinking problem, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. He or she needs to know how much alcohol you've consumed and when during your pregnancy to get a better idea of how your unborn baby may have been affected. Your doctor may also be able to start you on a path to getting the help you need to stop drinking — for your sake and your baby's.