Download or read book Alcohol and your unborn baby written by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U.S.) and published by . This book was released on 1978 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Risks associated with drinking alcohol during pregnancy, including the physical effects of heavy drinking on the developing fetus, are discussed. Specific mental, physical, and behavioral abnormalities characteristic of "fetal alcohol syndrome" are described. Risks associated with drinking smaller amounts of alcohol on a regular basis and with occasional binge drinking are not well understood. Alternatives to drinking such as exercising, talking, listening to music, or writing may help women handle some of the stresses associated with pregnancy. Outside help is available for women who suspect that they have an alcohol-related problem. Caution is recommended for using other drugs as well as alcohol during pregnancy and some general guidelines that increase a woman's chances of having a healthy baby are presented. (aj)