CDC Delivers Distressing News About Drinking Alcohol and Pregnancy

Urgent Care Blog

A significant number of pregnant women are playing with the health of their child by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. According to recent research on alcohol and pregnancy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18.6% of pregnant women aged 35–44 are likely to be drinking while pregnant. And one-third of women who drink during pregnancy engage in binge drinking, which is defined as having four or more alcoholic beverages over a two-hour period. MD Now is concerned about these frightening findings and wants to help pregnant women understand the dangers of drinking while pregnant.

The Number of Women Drinking During Pregnancy is a Crying Shame

Doctors have strongly advised women to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Unfortunately, a disturbing number of women are drinking while pregnant and even engaging in binge drinking. According to the report:

  • 10% of pregnant women in the U.S. ages 18–44 have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • 18.6% of pregnant women aged 35–44 are likely to be drinking alcohol.
  • 13% of college graduates are likely to be drinking alcohol.
  • 12.9% of unmarried women are likely to be drinking alcohol.
  • 30% of women who consume alcohol during pregnancy engage in binge drinking.
  • Pregnant binge drinkers averaged 4.6 episodes in the last month, while non-pregnant binge drinkers reported only 3.1 binge-drinking episodes.

Experts Aren’t Kidding About the Risks of Drinking During Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy places an unborn child at extremely high risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs.) These are conditions that can occur in a person whose mother was drinking while pregnant. Studies show that up to 5% of first-grade students may have an FASD. Fortunately, FASDs are 100% preventable if a mother does not consume alcohol during pregnancy. These are the primary risks of mixing alcohol and pregnancy:

  • Physical birth defects
  • Developmental difficulties
  • Behavioral problems
  • Disabilities
  • Premature delivery
  • Miscarriage
  • Stillbirth

If you or someone you know is drinking alcohol while pregnant, MD Now can guide you toward treatment and support. 

Expect the Highest-Quality Care at MD Now

Experience the caring, convenient, and cost-efficient treatment that awaits you at MD Now. All of our operate on a walk-in, no-appointment basis with hours to conveniently suit your schedule. With 22 locations throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, quality care is always within your reach. For the Florida locations nearest you, visit https://www.mymdnow.com/locations.

To learn more about our urgent care centers, visit www.MDNow.com. 

MD Now® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.

×