Can You Drink Alcohol While Pregnant?

For more than 40 years, doctors and health organizations have advised pregnant women to avoid all alcohol. This guidance began in 1973 when researchers at the University of Washington identified Fetal Alcohol Syndrome—a set of physical and mental birth defects linked to alcohol use during pregnancy. Since then, medical experts have consistently recommended that pregnant individuals abstain from drinking.

How Alcohol Affects a Fetus

Everything you eat or drink during pregnancy reaches the fetus through the umbilical cord. While nutrients from food support the baby’s growth, alcohol is a toxin that can harm developing tissues and organs. Alcohol breaks down more slowly in a fetus than in an adult, so it stays in the baby’s system longer and at higher levels.

Alcohol damages cells that form vital body parts, especially the brain. For example, it can harm glial cells, which help keep neurons healthy. This damage can interfere with brain development, potentially leading to learning, behavioral, and developmental challenges.

Risks of Drinking During Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol while pregnant raises the risk of:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Studies show that each week a woman drinks during early pregnancy increases miscarriage risk by 8%, and any alcohol use raises stillbirth risk by 40%.

Alcohol use during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which include:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): The most severe form, involving abnormal facial features and learning/behavioral issues.
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND): Causes learning and behavioral problems without full FAS symptoms.
• Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD): Affects organs like the heart, kidneys, bones, or hearing.

Children with FASD may experience poor coordination, hyperactivity, low IQ, vision or hearing issues, and long-term challenges like mental health conditions or unemployment.

Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe?

No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Even small or moderate drinking can increase risks of miscarriage or developmental issues. Heavy drinking or binge drinking (four or more drinks at once) significantly raises the chance of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This applies to all types of alcohol, including wine.

Is There a Safe Time to Drink During Pregnancy?

There is no safe time to drink alcohol while pregnant. Although the first trimester is especially critical, alcohol can harm brain development at any stage. If you drank before knowing you were pregnant, don’t panic—just stop drinking as soon as you find out.

Does Alcohol Affect Plan B?

Plan B (the "morning-after pill") works by delaying ovulation and changing cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Alcohol may affect it in several ways:

• Metabolism: Alcohol is processed by the liver and could influence how Plan B is absorbed, though research is limited.
• Effectiveness: Heavy drinking might reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
• Decision-Making: Alcohol impairs judgment, which could delay taking Plan B when it’s most effective.

If you’re concerned about alcohol and contraception, speak with a healthcare provider.

Final Advice

Drinking during pregnancy carries serious risks, including lifelong disabilities for the child. The safest choice is to avoid alcohol entirely when pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you’ve already consumed alcohol, stop as soon as you know you’re pregnant—it’s never too late to make a positive change.

If you’re struggling to quit drinking while pregnant, seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. You don’t have to face this alone: at Quitemate, we’re here to support and encourage you every step of the way.