Alcohol and Pregnancy

What happens to my baby if I drink alcohol while I am pregnant?

• Alcohol can hurt your baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs.

• Your baby could be born with conditions known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

• Some babies with FASD have intellectual disability.

• Your baby could be low birthweight, so they may not be off to as good a start as other babies.

• Alcohol use can increase your baby’s risk of sleep-related infant death.

What if I just have a beer or a glass of wine and do not get drunk?

• There is no safe level of alcohol you can drink during pregnancy.

• All types of alcohol are equally harmful (beer, wine, liquor, etc.).

• The best choice is not to drink at all when you are pregnant.

What if I cannot stop drinking while I am pregnant?

• It can be very hard to stop drinking, but there are many programs to help.

• Even if you have tried to stop drinking before, try again. Do not give up.

• Michigan has special programs for pregnant and postpartum people who want to quit drinking.

• Quitting drinking is one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself.