Some of our favorite beverages -- coffee, tea, and alcohol -- have all come under scrutiny when it comes to consuming them during pregnancy. Of the three, says Davis, alcohol remains the most serious concern.
"It still falls under the heading of 'association' and not direct link, but since there is no data to show a clear cutoff point where alcohol consumption will not harm an unborn baby, the general recommendation is that no level is considered safe," says Davis.
And while a news story airing on Good Morning America Weekend in February 2008 questioned whether or not moderate drinking was really OK during pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stands firm on its "no alcohol" policy during pregnancy. In a prepared statement it continued to "strongly urge women not to ignore the public health warnings associated with consuming alcohol while pregnant."
The March of Dimes has echoed that sentiment and continues to urge women not to use any alcohol during pregnancy or if they suspect they are pregnant.
At the same time, should you panic if, two weeks after a night of heavy drinking, you discover you are pregnant? Davis says absolutely not.
"There is a very good chance that it isn't going to harm your baby," says Davis.
The most convincing link between alcohol intake during pregnancy and the development of fetal alcohol syndrome (a collection of symptoms that can lead to severe learning and social disabilities) relates to binge drinking during pregnancy -- high alcohol intake on more than one occasion.
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