Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
Generally speaking, infants born to pregnant women who smoke weigh about 200 grams less than those born to non-smoking women, and the heavier the smoking, the lighter the fetal weight, making it more prone to delayed physiological, intellectual, and behavioral development in the fetus and newborn. Therefore, pregnant women who smoke should quit immediately for the health of their babies. Additionally, secondhand smoke in the environment can also harm the fetus through the mother, so pregnant women should avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be considered a "great tragedy." According to statistics from the American medical community, out of 500 newborns, one is affected by intellectual disability due to the mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. For this reason, scientists at Madrid University not only advise pregnant women to abstain from alcohol but also urge doctors not to promote the benefits of moderate drinking for pregnant women. Some gynecologists once believed that drinking small amounts of alcohol was not only harmless but even beneficial. The mistake of these gynecologists lies in confusing the benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol, especially red wine, for cardiovascular health with the effects of alcohol consumption on fetal development during pregnancy. "The mother is the incubator," no matter how much alcohol she drinks, it will reduce the baby's IQ. Therefore, pregnant women should not smoke, drink alcohol, or take folic acid (Vitamin B9) daily. Scientists emphasize that to protect the health of the fetus, pregnant women should avoid drinking alcohol from the moment they stop using contraception, as many women only realize they are pregnant after the seventh or eighth week. All fetal organs develop and form within the first eight weeks of pregnancy, and the risk of intellectual disability and external congenital deformities is highest during this period.