Pregnancy and Drinking

Pregnancy and Drinking

By Joanna Pasceri

It's the tale of two pregnant women, each with a different belief on drinking alcohol while carrying a child.
They were the focus of a piece on Good Morning America that triggered a firestorm of controversy. Why? While one woman chose to give up drinking, the other mother-to-be did not.
The woman, the story says, has the approval of her doctor, and believes that anything in moderation is ok.
Helen Weinstein teaches people in WNY about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a disorder brought on by drinking during pregnancy. It's the leading known cause of developmental disabilities in this country, more prevalent than Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida.
Despite years of research showing alcohol can damage a developing baby's brain, there's no clear answer on how much it would take. Still, Weinstein says, it's not worth the risk.
Weinstein says alcohol isn't any different than other drugs, except it's legal, and while some may be challenging its effects, she says not drinking is a small sacrifice an expectant mom can make to protect her unborn child.
Icon
Current Temp 39 °F
Overcast and Breezy
Wind : From the Southwest at 23 Gusting to 33 MPH
Humidity : 62 %
Pressure : 29.31" (993.2 mb) 993.2 29.31
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Stock Quotes

What's On TonightFull Schedule

Local Business Dir

Poll

WILL YOU FILL UP YOUR GAS TANK TONIGHT - IN CASE PRICES GO UP OVER THE WEEKEND?

  • Yes
  • No