At what stage of pregnancy does alcohol affect the baby?
Considering this, how early in pregnancy does alcohol affect the baby?
In the first two weeks following fertilization, excessive alcohol consumption does not generally have a negative effect on the zygote and emerging blastocyst (pre-embryo). It is in the third week after fertilization that specific alcohol-induced birth defects begin to affect the developing embryo.
Just so, can drinking at 3 weeks pregnant harm the baby?
Alcohol use in first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy may lead to permanent brain changes in offspring. It is well established that consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause harm to the fetus.
Drinking alcohol at between three and six weeks pregnant can cause symptoms similar to foetal alcohol syndrome, the experts warned. Past studies have found exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can damage a baby, increasing the risk of a child suffering learning disabilities and congenital deformities.