Why giving up alcohol is mandatory in the preconception period?

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is part of a group of disorders called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). These disorders happen when a baby is exposed to alcohol while still in the womb. This can occur because alcohol from the mother's blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.

Alcohol is really harmful to a growing baby. It can cause permanent damage to the baby's body and brain. It's crucial to understand that there's no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy, and no stage of pregnancy is risk-free.

Even though we're not exactly sure how alcohol causes these problems, we do know that it can harm the baby's central nervous system. Research shows that drinking a lot of alcohol, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, can increase the chances of the baby having facial and brain abnormalities.

To prevent FASDs, it's extremely important for women to avoid drinking alcohol if they're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Since pregnancy can sometimes go unnoticed for several weeks, it's best for women to stay away from alcohol not just during pregnancy but also before they even get pregnant.