We know there’s a lot of advice and a lot of opinion about alcohol in pregnancy. The clearest, safest message is this: no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy, and the safest choice is to avoid it altogether from the moment you start trying and throughout pregnancy.
If you had a drink or two before you realised you were pregnant, please be reassured: small amounts around the time of conception carry very little risk of harm to your baby.
Alcohol is a toxic substance. It passes from a mother’s bloodstream through the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. This happens because the placenta is not a filter, and the unborn baby’s liver is not yet developed enough to process alcohol.
Drinking whether in small amounts or in binge episodes can affect:
Drinking also increases the risk of early miscarriage and stillbirth, particularly with heavier or binge drinking.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of lifelong physical, mental, behavioural and learning difficulties that can occur in a child whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. The effects can be subtle or severe, and they last a lifetime.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol in pregnancy. The good news is that FASD is 100% preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.
If you’d like more information, the HSE has detailed guidance available, and your midwife or GP can talk through any concerns.
Please be reassured that if you drank small amounts of alcohol around the time of conception, there is very little risk of harm to your baby. The most important thing is to stop now and continue alcohol-free for the rest of your pregnancy.
You’re not alone, and there is no judgement here. Please talk to your midwife or GP, they can refer you to the right support quickly and confidentially. The HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline (1800 459 459) is free and confidential.
Your partner doesn’t need to stop drinking for your baby’s sake, but most partners find that going alcohol-free with you (at least at home) makes it much easier and it’s a positive change for them too.
If you’re breastfeeding, alcohol does pass into breast milk. The HSE advises avoiding alcohol, or having an occasional drink immediately after a feed so the alcohol clears before the next one. Your midwife can give you specific advice.
