MODEL RELEASED. Pregnant woman pouring alcoholic drink. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can result in harmful effects to both the mother and unborn child. Overconsumption of alcohol can redult in foetal alcohol syndrome, in which the baby may be born abnormally short, with small eyes and a small jaw, and may suffer heart defects or a cleft lip and palate. The affected baby may also suck poorly, sleep badlly, and be irritable. Drinking also increases the mother's risk of miscarriage.