Alcohol and Pregnancy: Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant

Is Any Alcohol Safe During Pregnancy?

No amount of alcohol is safe during any trimester of pregnancy, whether that is wine, beer, or spirits. If a pregnant person consumes a drink with alcohol, it passes through to the fetus just like any other liquids or foods consumed. Some people mistakenly believe that it’s OK to drink later in the pregnancy when the unborn baby is nearly completely formed; however, alcohol exposure has adverse effects on brain development throughout pregnancy.³ Major national medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Surgeon General, as well as medical societies from other countries including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, the U.K.’s National Health Service, and countless others all recommend complete abstinence during pregnancy.¹

How Does Alcohol Pass to the Baby?

Alcohol crosses the placenta via the umbilical cord. Not only is the alcohol detrimental for the developing baby, when a pregnant person drinks heavily, the high blood alcohol concentrations can also interfere with essential nutrients crossing the placenta and getting to the baby.⁴

After a pregnant individual ingests alcohol, it takes only about 2 hours for the fetus’s blood alcohol level to reach that of the mother.¹

Alcohol—in any amount—remains in the fetus’s system for a longer period than the mother’s system because the fetal alcohol metabolism is slower.¹ Thus, if a pregnant person drinks frequently or in high volumes, the fetus is exposed to alcohol for prolonged periods.

Risks of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

Using alcohol during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects. Birth defects are structural changes to the body that are present at birth.⁵ Alcohol can act as a teratogen, which refers to any agent that causes fetal abnormality during pregnancy.¹ The mother’s use of alcohol during any stage of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects and developmental problems, collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).^1,6

Alcohol’s effect on physical and structural development of the fetus can manifest in several birth defects, including:^2,7

• Abnormal facial characteristics that may include wide-spaced eyes, a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (known as the philtrum), a flat nasal bridge, a thin upper lip, and an upturned nose, among others.
• Small head circumference.
• Below average height and weight.
• Problems with eyesight or hearing.
• Bone, heart, and kidney issues.

Effects of Alcohol on the Fetus’s Development

Major defects in bodily structure can occur because of alcohol during weeks 3 through 16. Approximately 3 weeks after the egg is fertilized, the fetus begins to develop a neural tube that eventually becomes the baby’s brain and spinal column, making up the central nervous system.⁸ Alcohol can negatively impact the fetus’s brain and spinal cord throughout the pregnancy. In addition, starting as early as three or four weeks into the pregnancy, alcohol can affect the development of the baby’s heart, arms, legs, eyes, and ears.⁹

Drinking during weeks 6-12 of gestation can hinder the development of the baby’s teeth, palate, and external genitals.⁹

In addition to the brain and spinal cord, the baby’s eyes, teeth, and external genitals continue to be vulnerable to defects caused by alcohol consumption until birth.⁹

Can Alcohol Cause a Miscarriage?

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy progressively increases the risk of miscarriage, studies suggest. In pregnant people who consumed 5 or fewer drinks per week, for instance, they found that with each additional drink per week there was a 6% increase in miscarriage risk.¹⁰

Can Someone with an Alcohol Use Disorder Have a Healthy Baby?

Although it is possible for an individual with an addiction to alcohol to have a healthy baby, alcohol use during pregnancy almost always negatively impacts the developing fetus. Even low-level alcohol consumption at any stage of pregnancy can result in the baby developing FASDs, which can cause a range of serious birth defects and contribute to cognitive impairment or other developmental disabilities.¹¹ The effects of alcohol may be more powerful in older individuals, who are in poor health, or who smoke or use other substances.¹¹

Just as every pregnancy is different, so too is every developing baby. So equal alcohol exposure before birth may affect one baby more than another—even babies born from the same person. Furthermore, some symptoms of FASDs, such as intellectual or behavioral issues, may not be apparent until early childhood.¹² The extent to which alcohol impacts a developing fetus can depend on several factors, which may include:¹³

• How often and how much the pregnant person drinks.
• The pregnant individual’s metabolism.
• Genes and genetic susceptibility.
• When the pregnant person drank during their pregnancy.
• The development of the fetus’s brain when the pregnant individual drank.

Alcohol and Pregnancy: Facts and Statistics

Some statistics about the prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy may be surprising. In a 3-year study—from 2015-2018, pregnant women, ages 12-44 were surveyed about their alcohol and other substance use. Here are some of the findings:¹⁴

• Approximately, 1 in 5 pregnant respondents in their first trimester reported alcohol use in the past 30 days, and 10.5% of those reported binge drinking (4 or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion) in the same period. Women, who reported binge drinking, averaged 4.5 binging episodes during the 30 days.
• Women are less likely to consume alcohol as their pregnancy progresses. Among second and third trimester respondents, 4.7% reported drinking in the past 30 days; 1.4% reported binge drinking.
• Approximately 40% of pregnant respondents, who reported to drinking within the last 30 days, also reported using other substances, including tobacco, marijuana, opioids, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamines, and more.
• Worldwide, 1 in 67 women, who consumed alcohol during pregnancy, will deliver a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS. That translates to about 119,000 children born with FAS every year.¹⁵ FAS is the most severe form of FASD. People with FAS experience growth problems, central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, and facial malformation or anomalies.⁷

Signs That a Pregnant Woman is Drinking

Most individuals reduce or stop their alcohol consumption as soon as they realize that they are pregnant. Data suggests that upon learning of their pregnancy, most individuals (85% of the 1,500 surveyed in one study) alter their alcohol consumption, citing the baby’s well-being as the primary reason.¹⁶ On the other hand, there are individuals with AUDs, who may continue to drink even after they find out they’re pregnant. These individuals may exhibit signs of an AUD.

Fearful that disclosing that they drink might result in civil or criminal penalties, many pregnant individuals, who continue to consume alcohol, might do one or more of the following:¹⁸

• Isolate themselves from others and avoid interactions with family and friends.
• Conceal or deny the pregnancy.
• Time prenatal visits so that persistent substance use doesn’t show up in urine samples.
• Skip doctors’ appointments or avoid prenatal care altogether.

How to Talk to a Person Who is Drinking While Pregnant

Many individuals, who drink while pregnant, think the amount they consume is safe. They may live or associate with others who consume similar levels of alcohol and consider it to be “normal.”¹⁶ They may be unaware that consuming any amount of any type of alcohol puts the fetus at risk.

If your friend or loved one is pregnant or trying to get pregnant and you are concerned about her drinking, tell them you’re worried and concerned. Be sure to avoid judgement and labels like “alcoholic,” and be compassionate in your delivery. Provide information that you’ve learned—maybe reference material from this article—and encourage them to speak with their doctor or a healthcare provider.¹⁹ Pregnancy is often a strong motivator for a person to change their drinking behavior, and research suggests that even brief behavioral counseling interventions with individuals, who engage in at-risk drinking, can reduce the risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancy.¹¹ If additional support is required, encourage your loved one to join a mutual-help group (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) or seek out a treatment program.¹⁹

Alcohol dependency and AUD in pregnant individuals is relatively rare. If medical advice and brief behavioral interventions aren’t successful in controlling alcohol use, it is important for that person to receive specialized counseling and additional medical support to quit drinking. If medical supervision is deemed necessary, treatment may need to take place in an inpatient alcohol rehab, where it can be managed by doctors and nurses, who can monitor both the pregnant individual and baby’s health during treatment.²⁰

Tips to Avoid Alcohol While Pregnant

It may be difficult or even dangerous to go “cold turkey” and stop drinking alcohol, especially if you’ve had the habit for a long time or you’re frequently in social situations where people are drinking. Since it’s imperative that you stop drinking as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you’ll benefit from having a strategy to stay away from alcohol. Consider the following tips:²¹

• If there is a time of day when you’re most prone to drinking alcohol, think ahead and plan other activities to fill the time, have fun, or relax.
• Exercise—walk, practice prenatal yoga, or swim, for instance.
• Indulge in self-care, such as meditation.
• Try drinking fruity drinks, adding flavor enhancers to water, or drinking sparkling waters instead.
• Avoid social gatherings where people may be binge drinking.
• Remove all alcohol from your home and ask family and friends to help support you by not bringing alcohol into your home.
• Join a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
• Seek professional help from a doctor or therapist.

Is it Illegal to Drink While Pregnant?

In recent years, several states have passed policies addressing alcohol use in pregnancy. Many of these laws are supportive in nature, meaning they provide information, treatment, and services to pregnant people. There are a handful of states that have passed punitive laws regarding maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. These policies differ in the specifics but include some level of intervention. Some allow for involuntary commitment of pregnant individuals—either to treatment or protective custody—in response to their alcohol consumption. Despite the differences, the policies are intended to protect the fetus by restricting the pregnant individual’s actions and conduct.²² There is limited evidence on the impact and effectiveness of punitive policies.²³

How Does Alcohol Affect Birth Control?

Alcohol does not reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control methods, such as the pill, intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal implant, ring, shot, patch, or emergency contraception. The effects of alcohol consumption and intoxication, however, can cloud a person’s judgement, increase the risk of not using birth control, or lead to ineffective contraceptive use (e.g., skipping your pill at the regular time, which may increase the chances of ovulation and pregnancy).^24,25 Among college-aged women, 13% reported binge drinking and using ineffective contraception and 31% reported binge drinking and inconsistent condom use—both of which could lead to an unplanned pregnancy.²⁴

Can You Drink While Trying to Conceive?

As stated previously, it’s safest to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy—from conception until birth. Currently, there is not enough data to conclusively understand the physiologic effects of alcohol consumption on a woman’s reproductive ability. However, studies indicate that chronic and/or prolonged drinking may lead to changes in ovulation and menstrual cycles.²² In addition, evidence suggests that even moderate drinking may negatively impact the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF).²⁶

Can Alcohol Affect Breastfeeding?

Exposure to alcohol through breast milk could damage an infant’s development, growth, and sleep patterns.²⁷ While experts recommend abstaining from alcohol while breastfeeding, there is no evidence that moderate drinking (1 drink/day) harms the baby, especially if the individual waits at least 2 hours before nursing. Anything above that may affect the baby, interfere with milk production (which can affect an infant’s sleep patterns as well as early development), and impair the individual’s judgement, making it harder for them to care for the baby.²⁷

It’s important to note that one alcoholic drink can still be detected in breast milk up to 3 hours after consumption. The total amount of time it takes for alcohol to be metabolized and no longer detectable in breast milk depends on a variety of factors, including:²⁷

• The number of drinks consumed.
• How quickly the drinks were consumed.
• Whether the drinks were consumed with food or on an empty stomach.
• How much the individuals weighs.
• How fast their body can break down the alcohol.

Pumping or expressing breast milk does not reduce the amount of alcohol in the milk.²⁷