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Smoking, Drinking, and Using Drugs Put Your Baby at Risk

Last Updated: August 31, 2009

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Prenatal Tips for the First Trimester

All of these habits will put your baby at risk for birth defects and illnesses. Alcohol use by pregnant women can cause babies to have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Babies born with FAS have physical and mental problems, such as mental retardation.

Most women are pregnant before they know they’re pregnant. By then babies have already started to develop and grow. So it’s best to play it safe and not drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages if there’s any chance you might be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant.


Learn more about Your Prenatal Baby: First Trimester from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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