Can you drink alcohol while pregnant?

UK health guidance recommends not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The NHS advises that if you are pregnant, or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) also states that there is no proven safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.

That guidance applies to all alcoholic drinks, including wine, beer, cider, spirits and cocktails.

If you drank alcohol before you realised you were pregnant, try not to jump straight to the worst conclusion. RCOG says the risk of harm is low with small amounts of alcohol consumed before becoming aware of a pregnancy. Stop drinking once you know you are pregnant and speak to your midwife or GP if you are worried about how much you drank.

Why is alcohol avoided during pregnancy?

Alcohol can pass from your blood through the placenta to the developing baby. A baby cannot process alcohol in the same way an adult can.

The NHS explains that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm a baby’s development and may result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, usually shortened to FASD. FASD can cause lifelong difficulties affecting areas such as learning, behaviour, movement, communication and emotional development.

RCOG also states that heavy drinking during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature labour, as well as affecting fetal growth and development.

The risk generally becomes greater as alcohol consumption increases. Because no amount has been established as completely safe during pregnancy, avoiding alcohol is the recommended approach.

Is any amount of alcohol safe during pregnancy?

There is no proven safe level of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.

This is why current UK guidance does not give a number of drinks, glasses or units that can be considered safe for pregnancy. Instead, the recommendation is to avoid alcohol altogether.

You may hear different advice from friends, relatives or people who were pregnant under older guidance. Recommendations have changed over time as evidence has developed. For current pregnancy decisions, NHS and maternity guidance is the more appropriate reference point.

Does the type of alcohol matter?

The recommendation applies to alcohol generally, rather than one particular drink.

That means wine is not considered safer than spirits, and beer or cider is not considered a pregnancy-safe alternative simply because it may have a lower alcohol percentage.

Different drinks contain different amounts of alcohol, but choosing a lower-strength alcoholic drink does not make alcohol recommended during pregnancy.

If you would like something similar for a social occasion, there are many alcohol-free alternatives available. Check the label if avoiding alcohol completely is important to you because products described as low-alcohol, de-alcoholised or alcohol-free can differ in their alcohol content.

What if you drank before you knew you were pregnant?

This is a very common source of anxiety. Pregnancy is often not confirmed until several weeks after conception, so some people will have had alcohol before knowing they were pregnant.

RCOG says that although there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy, the risk of harm is low if only small amounts were consumed before you knew you were pregnant.

The practical next step is to avoid further alcohol now that you know.

If you drank regularly, drank larger amounts, or simply feel worried about what you had, tell your midwife or GP. They can discuss your individual circumstances without you having to make assumptions about what the exposure means.

Does drinking alcohol always cause FASD?

No. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy does not mean that a baby will automatically have FASD.

However, the NHS states that alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD and that the risk is higher the more alcohol is consumed. There is no proven safe level at which the risk can be ruled out.

FASD is an umbrella term for a range of problems that can occur following alcohol exposure before birth. The effects can vary from person to person and may involve physical development, learning, behaviour and emotional regulation.

The fact that risk varies is one reason individual situations are best discussed with a healthcare professional rather than trying to predict an outcome from the number of drinks alone.

What if you are trying to conceive?

UK guidance also recommends avoiding alcohol if you are planning a pregnancy or think you could become pregnant.

This can remove the uncertainty around drinking during the early weeks before a pregnancy is recognised.

Pregnancy does not always happen according to a predictable timetable, though. If you discover you are pregnant after drinking alcohol, the advice is not to panic. Stop drinking and discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional.

What if you find it difficult to stop drinking?

Finding it difficult to stop drinking is something to take seriously, but it is not something you need to hide from your maternity team.

The NHS advises speaking to your midwife or doctor if you are struggling with alcohol during pregnancy. They can help you access appropriate support.

If you experience withdrawal symptoms when you reduce or stop alcohol, such as shaking, sweating, nausea or anxiety until you have a drink, seek medical advice before trying to stop suddenly. NHS guidance warns that stopping too quickly can be dangerous for someone who is physically dependent on alcohol.

Being open with your midwife or GP gives them the information they need to support both your health and your pregnancy.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your midwife or GP if you have drunk alcohol during pregnancy and are concerned about it. It is particularly useful to tell them if you have been drinking regularly, have had larger amounts, or are unsure how much you consumed.

Seek professional support if you are finding it difficult to avoid alcohol or think you may be dependent on it. If you experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop or reduce alcohol, get medical advice before making a sudden change.

For other pregnancy symptoms or health concerns, contact your maternity unit, GP or NHS 111 as appropriate. Call 999 or go to A&E for a life-threatening emergency.