Theo Nash
There is much debate about whether it is safe to consume alcohol during pregnancy. While some sources state that there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy, previous UK guidelines have indicated that consuming one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week is safe. However, recent studies have shown that even light drinking can increase the likelihood of delivering a small baby. As a result, the UK guidelines have been revised to recommend complete abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy. While some women may choose to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy, others may continue to drink occasionally. It is important to note that the effects of occasional alcohol consumption during pregnancy are less understood, and there is a potential risk of harm to the baby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy | There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. |
| Safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy | There is no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. |
| Effects of alcohol use during pregnancy | Miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), low birth weight, developmental delays, behavioural problems, seizures, visual or hearing impairment, and more. |
| Previous UK guidelines | Women should not consume more than one to two units, once or twice a week. |
| Recent UK guidelines | Pregnant women are advised to avoid alcohol completely. |
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What You'll Learn
There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a range of lifelong behavioural, intellectual, and physical disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. All types of alcohol can be harmful, including red or white wine, beer, and liquor.
When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta to your baby and can seriously affect its development. Your baby does not have a fully developed liver and cannot process alcohol. The baby's brain is developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and your baby having a low birth weight. It can also affect your baby after they're born. Drinking during pregnancy can cause your baby to develop a serious lifelong condition called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The risk is likely to be greater the more you drink.
Previous UK guidelines advised women to avoid drinking alcohol while trying to conceive and in the first trimester. However, they also indicated that women should not consume more than one to two units, once or twice a week. Two units of alcohol are equivalent to one pint of strong beer or a medium-sized glass (175 ml) of light white wine.
However, there is little evidence to support the recommendation that this limit would be safe for the baby. Research has found that women who reported drinking even small amounts of alcohol were 8% more likely to deliver a small baby. Therefore, the recent change in UK guidelines on alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been revised down to 'not drinking at all'.
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Miscarriage risk increases with alcohol consumption
While previous guidelines in the UK advised women not to consume more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week during pregnancy, recent studies have shown that even light drinking can increase the risk of miscarriage. Miscarriages occur in roughly 15% to 20% of pregnancies, and this risk is dependent on the mother's health and lifestyle choices.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the risk of miscarriage increases by about 8% each week a woman consumes alcohol during the first five to ten weeks of pregnancy. This risk is independent of the amount and type of alcohol consumed and whether the mother engaged in binge drinking. The study also found that the risk was highest at week nine, which coincides with the embryonic stage of development when a pregnancy is most vulnerable.
Another study by Vanderbilt researchers found a 19% increase in the risk of miscarriage among expecting mothers who drank small amounts of alcohol. Similarly, a study by Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that expecting mothers exposed to alcohol less than five times per week had an increased risk of miscarriage. Heavy drinking further increased this risk, with mothers who had 2 to 3 drinks weekly experiencing a 66% higher risk, while those who drank 4 or more drinks per week more than doubled their chances of miscarriage.
The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can also lead to other complications such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can cause defects in the baby's facial features and body, as well as problems with brain development. It can also result in growth and central nervous system issues, including low birth weight and behavioural problems. Therefore, it is generally advised that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant abstain from alcohol consumption to minimise risks to the unborn child.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant. Alcohol use in the first 3 months of pregnancy can cause the baby to have abnormal facial features. The baby's brain is developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time. It is never too late to stop alcohol use during pregnancy. Stopping alcohol use will improve the baby's health and well-being.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most serious type of FASD. People with fetal alcohol syndrome have facial abnormalities, including wide-set and narrow eyes, growth problems, and nervous system abnormalities. They might have a mix of problems, including problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, or hearing. They might have a hard time in school and getting along with others. Partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) is diagnosed when a person does not meet the full diagnostic criteria for FAS but has some of the facial features, as well as a growth problem or CNS abnormalities, and a history of prenatal alcohol exposure.
Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE) is another condition related to FASDs. A child with ND-PAE will have problems with thinking and memory, behaviour, and day-to-day living. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) is also associated with FASDs and can cause intellectual disabilities, problems with behaviour and learning, and poor performance in school.
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Previous UK guidelines on alcohol consumption during pregnancy
In the 1990s, health authorities and professionals in most countries recommended that pregnant women abstain from alcohol. However, in 2001, Australian guidelines modified this view, suggesting that while pregnant women should consider not drinking at all and should never get intoxicated, they could have up to seven standard drinks a week and no more than two standard drinks on any one day. In 1999, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority issued a comparable recommendation, advising pregnant women to avoid alcohol if possible but, if they did drink, to limit it to one drink per day, never drinking on consecutive days.
In the UK, until 2016, the National Health Service (NHS) advised pregnant women or those trying to conceive to avoid drinking alcohol during the first trimester. However, they also indicated that women could consume up to one or two units, once or twice a week. This guidance was confusing for health professionals and pregnant women, leading to inconsistent advice.
In 2016, the UK Chief Medical Officers revised their guidance, advising women to abstain from alcohol if pregnant or planning a pregnancy. This revision was based on the precautionary principle, assuming potential harm to the foetus in the absence of high-quality evidence of a safe drinking threshold. The new guidelines aimed to minimise any risk to the baby, as alcohol can pass from the mother's blood through the placenta and seriously affect the baby's development.
While some critics of the 2016 guidelines argue that advising complete abstinence is paternalistic and not based on certain evidence, the majority of midwives in the UK advise women to reduce or abstain from drinking. International and UK clinical guidelines recommend that all pregnant women be assessed for alcohol consumption and provided with advice and support to change unhealthy drinking behaviours.
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Seeking support to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Drinking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for the baby, including foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It can also cause abnormal facial features, low birth weight, and behavioural problems. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should not consume alcohol.
If you are pregnant and struggling to stop drinking alcohol, it is important to seek support. Here are some ways to get help:
- Talk to your healthcare provider: Be open and honest with your doctor or midwife about your concerns. They can provide you with information, resources, and referrals to specialised programmes and support groups.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences and support each other in recovering from alcoholism. They offer free, confidential support and can be easily located online or through a local chapter.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA provides a treatment facility locator to help individuals find drug and alcohol treatment programs in their area.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): NIAAA offers the Alcohol Treatment Navigator, which helps adults find alcohol treatment for themselves or a loved one.
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): NCADD provides information and support through their website or a toll-free phone number: 1-800-622-2255.
- FASD Family Navigator: This program provides free and confidential support and referrals to individuals with FASDs and their families. They can be reached by phone or online during business hours.
- Local support: Depending on your location, there may be additional resources available. For example, in the UK, organisations like Drinkaware and We Are With You offer helplines and support services.
Remember, it is never too late to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Seeking support is a crucial step in ensuring the health and well-being of both you and your baby. These organisations and professionals are equipped to provide guidance and assistance throughout your journey.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. The previous UK guidelines advised women to avoid drinking alcohol while trying to conceive and in the first trimester and to not consume more than one to two units, once or twice a week. However, this has since been updated, and pregnant women are now told to avoid alcohol completely.
Alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Alcohol use can also cause a range of lifelong behavioural, intellectual, and physical disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
Women who found out they were pregnant after already having drunk alcohol early in pregnancy should avoid further drinking for the rest of their pregnancy. However, they should not worry unnecessarily, as the risks of their baby being affected are likely to be low.
