Can whisky terminate a pregnancy? [Explained]

Are you expecting a baby and curious to know safe to enjoy the occasional glass of whiskey while pregnant? While many websites discuss alcohol consumption before, during, and after pregnancy, they often don’t address specific types of drinks. With all this in mind, we wanted to answer one common question: can whiskey terminate a pregnancy?

Can whisky terminate a pregnancy?

Yes, whisky can terminate a pregnancy. Even a small about of whisky can have drastic effects on your pregnancy.

Whiskey contains a high percentage of alcohol content. An average-sized bottle of whiskey has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 40 %. The intake of this quantity of pure alcohol is extremely harmful to the growing fetus and can be life-threatening for the fetus.

Modern research also suggests that drinking any amount of alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage.

If a woman drinks during the first three months of pregnancy, the chances of pregnancy termination are higher.

Everything a woman consumes makes its way to the developing baby during pregnancy. Similarly, when pregnant women drink whisky, their blood vessels absorb all its content. Then this toxic alcohol gets transferred to the unborn baby through the umbilical cord and increases the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.

If the baby were lucky enough to survive, he would not be healthy. The baby might be born with some disability or unusual physical features. The possible risk might include premature birth and lower birth weight.

Dangers of alcohol during pregnancy

The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth. In some cases, it can also lead to physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities in the born baby. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDS).

It is also reported that children with FASDS have some unusual physical features and behavior, such as abnormal facial features, for instance;

• Having smooth ridges (philtrum) between the nose and upper lips
• A smaller head or shorter height
• Lower body weight
• Poor coordination skills
• Hyperactive behavior
• Difficulty in concentration
• Poor memory
• Problems in study, especially with mathematics
• Learning and intellectual disabilities
• Delay in speech and language development
• Low IQ level
• Low reasoning and judgmental skills
• Insomnia
• Hearing and vision problems
• Weak or unhealthy heart, kidney, or bones

How much alcohol kills an unborn baby?

According to the research evidence, two to three drinks of alcohol per week can lead to miscarriage. As mentioned above, the dangers of consuming alcohol will not decrease even if you don’t drink often. Drinking a moderate amount in intervals or consuming a large drink at once has the same negative effect on the unborn child.

Talking about binge drinking (drinking five or more drinks in one sitting) is the most dangerous and can increase the risks of damage to the fetus. Women who are heavy drinkers have more chances of delivering babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Can one glass of wine cause a miscarriage?

Yes, even only one glass of wine can cause a miscarriage. There is no safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy.

It would be best if you remembered that even a drop of alcohol is not considered safe to consume when you are pregnant. So keep in mind the more you drink, the more you put your baby in danger.

Why is alcohol so dangerous to the human body?

Alcohol consumption can lead to serious health issues. It affects your body in many ways, impairing every organ system and disrupting nearly all of its functions.
In large doses, alcohol depresses the central nervous system, leading to loss of consciousness or even death. It also impairs coordination, balance, and judgment, making it difficult for a person to drive or perform other activities safely.

Long-term use of alcohol may cause several serious health problems, including liver damage, cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and cognitive decline.

It is also associated with an increased risk of violence due to changes in mood or behavior resulting from excessive drinking.

Additionally, women who consume alcohol during pregnancy are at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause lifelong physical and developmental disabilities.

Therefore, it is essential to drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. If you choose to drink, always do so responsibly and never exceed the recommended amounts set by your doctor or health professional.

Conclusion

The consumption of alcohol is life-threatening for the unborn baby. Therefore, whether it is whisky, wine, beer, or other liquor, pregnant women should avoid all kinds of drinks containing alcohol.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183196/ 
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html 
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007454.htm