I have read recently that the father's intake of alcohol before conception can possibly cause a fetus to suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome. Is this true? If so, how much alcohol must the father ingest to cause it? My husband is a social drinker, and we wondered if he should stop drinking completely while we try to conceive our first child.

-- Deb

Intake of alcohol by the father does not increase the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome or other birth defects. Over the long term, though, even a drink or two a day can result in abnormal liver function, which can adversely affect hormones and sperm production.

Chronic alcohol ingestion can create other problems. Does he ever drink and then drive? Does the alcohol ever interfere with work or your efforts to conceive? If so, then I would describe the use as inappropriate and not just "social." "Social drinking" is often a polite way of describing alcoholism. This will interfere not only with getting pregnant, but also with being a father to the child. Hopefully, this is not the case.