HomeAnswersObstetrics and Gynecologyalcoholism

What are the risks of FAS if a mother drinks alcohol?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I just found out that I am 9 weeks and 5 days pregnant and I have been drinking two standard glasses of wine a day, sometimes less but sometimes more. Twice I had a 1.6 fl oz shot of Gin. I will not drink again now. What are the chances my baby has FAS including facial defects? Will abstaining reverse the damage? I always take daily Multivitamins and Minerals and Omega 3 anyway.
Answered by Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If you are regularly having alcohol, then yes, there are 10 to 15 percentage chances of having fetal alcohol syndrome. You should get NT scan done at 11 weeks 4 days. Start Folic Acid twice a day. After NT scan, take a decision whether to continue the pregnancy or not.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you so much. Will the NT scan detect any facial abnormalities? What dosage of Folic acid do you recommend per day? Can any damage that has already been done be reversed with abstainence from alcohol through the rest of the pregnancy?

Answered by Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Unfortunately, the damage cannot be reversed if it has already occurred with regard to the dose of Folic acid 5 mg twice a day. The facial defects can be identified by a congenital anomaly scan at 18 to 20 weeks. An NT scan will help with the screening. Twelve weeks is quite early to detect facial defects.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

If facial defects were present and other abnormalities, is it likely that the 12-week scan would identify a low body weight and head circumference? I am really scared.

Answered by Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, I can understand your concern. Yes, a 12-week scan can catch growth patterns. FAS is mostly associated with cleft lip and cleft palate, which can be diagnosed better at 12 weeks of gestation. It can be corrected with surgery. Do not worry; it is not a life-threatening condition.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

So if the fetus has a lower than normal CRL and head circumference at 12 weeks scan, I should expect it to have FAS? What size CRL and head circumference indicates FAS at 12 weeks approximately?

Answered by Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

CRL should be around 50 to 60 mm at 12 weeks. Rather than CRL, see for palate and lip of the baby.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At January 23, 2019
Reviewed At December 4, 2025

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb
Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb

Infertility

Consult this doctor

Education:

MS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Talpe Ashwini Nanasaheb is an Obstetrician and a Gynecologist skilled in women’s health, pregnancy care, and reproductive medicine. Her expertise includes antenatal and postnatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility evaluation, contraception counseling, menstrual and hormonal disorder management, and menopause care. She is also experienced in gynecological surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and preventive health screening for women.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

Why am I having abdominal burning, throat pain, and diarrhea after alcohol drinking?

How to conclude Down's syndrome other than ultrasound scan?

Esophageal Cancer - a Rare, but Fatal Cancer

Why is there spotting and brown discharge with clots in a six weeks pregnant woman?

Why do I have excessive sweating after stopping the habit of alcohol drinking?

Comprehensive Second Opinion

Read answers about:

fetal anomaliesalcoholismfetal alcohol syndrome

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Obstetrics and Gynecology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.