Can You Drink Alcohol While Pregnant? Expert Advice & Safety Tips

According to the WHO records in 2019, 35% of women are in contact with alcohol actively and this rate is continuously rising, especially among youngsters. Alcohol as a toxic substance shows significant negative effects on overall well-being. However, an important and sensitive phase for a woman is the time of pregnancy. During this time some changes occur in the body to nurture the fetus. This phase needs extra care; even normal lifestyle activities and habits should be done with precautions. As many women are in contact with alcohol nowadays, this raises a pressing question: can you drink alcohol while pregnant? How safe is it to consume alcohol when you are expecting? Follow along this blog to know about alcohol and pregnancy.

Is Alcohol Safe For Women?

Commonly, we know that Alcohol is completely unsafe for everyone, but it affects women more strongly than men. There are many biological facts, such as women have less water in body and a higher rate of body fat that the major reason that the same amount of alcohol strongly impacts women’s bodies. Also, women have a low metabolism that does not break down the alcohol compound, and another fact is that hormonal changes mostly occur during the menstrual period. If women consume alcohol during their menstrual period, most chance of increasing the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Well, the woman’s body has changed in different age groups. Among different changes, Pregnancy is one of the most critical situations for a woman’s life, so let’s know whether alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Pregnant Or Not?

Unfortunately, the answer is No, you should not take alcohol during pregnancy as the result can be terrible. When you drink during your pregnancy, it directly affects your fetus via the placenta. Getting in contact with a deadly substance like alcohol, it causes some serious effects such as permanent physical, intellectual or behavioural disability in the fetus. During pregnancy, it not only affects the baby but also the mother. It can cause nutritional deficiency, more than usual vomiting, and increase the chances of premature labour and miscarriage.

Alcohol And Different Pregnancy Phases

Understanding alcohol and the different phases of pregnancy is important to have a clear knowledge to ensure safety during such a vital time.

Pregnancy First Trimester

First trimester means the first three months of pregnancy. This phase is considered the early stage, where the mother has to be very careful about the fetus’s safety. So during this phase alcohol should be avoided totally, especially the first 17 days when the child is developing continuously. Since consumption during this period can bring deadly issues such as miscarriage which is more common to happen in this stage. It can also lead to problems like birth defects and FSADs.

Pregnancy Second Trimester

Well, there is no safe alcohol consumption noted even in the second three months of pregnancy. The major development of the fetus such as the brain and other organs, happens during this time. It is better to completely avoid alcohol this time since it can breakdown fetus’s growth, also increasing the chance of losing the baby by up to 70%.

Pregnancy Third Trimester

As we have mentioned earlier in our blog, alcohol consumption during pregnancy should be completely avoided, yes, even in the third or final stage of pregnancy. During the last three months of pregnancy, the baby develops rapidly, and a deadly substance like alcohol can affect the baby’s weight, inner development, coordination and function.

Risks Of Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

Alcohol and pregnancy do not go well at all. Drinking liquor in a sensitive phase like pregnancy should be avoided. Because when it is done it brings some potential risks to the mother and baby. These potential effects can be dangerous and can cause lifelong issues. In this section of the blog, we will discuss the possible risks it may pose.

• Increases the risk of miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• FASDs (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) include lifetime physical, behavioural, and intellectual disability of the baby. This is the worst problem alcohol can bring to your pregnancy.
• Abnormal facial structure of the baby
• Alcohol can also cause brain damage to your baby and cause problems in the development
• It may cause hardship to the child completing any life activity or having interaction with society.
• SIDS

Drinking Without Knowing That You Are Pregnant

The most common query in the first parental visit happens to be this issue, that the mother had taken a few drinks when she did not know that she was pregnant. Well, it is a suggestion to quit drinking when you are planning a pregnancy. But sometimes in many cases some get pregnant right away and without realising they happen to come in contact with a few drinks a few times. That makes them worry about what will happen, well a few drinks at the earliest likely do not cause chronic harm. However, it will be best if you talk to a professional about this for better assurance.

How To Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy?

Quitting or avoiding alcohol becomes easy for some, mostly for occasional drinkers. On the other hand it becomes tough for those who are in regular contact with alcohol. However, here are some tips for our side to help you quit alcohol to ensure your well-being and that of your baby.

• Find some non-alcoholic alternatives
• See if your partner or a close one wants to help you quit by joining. This will not make you feel alone and it will become easier.
• If alcohol is your relaxation element, find something else that helps you unwind
• Have a conversation with your medical person
• Bring changes to your usual social habits.

FAQs

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a phase that demands nourishment, care, emotional support, comfort and most importantly, safety. Even though alcohol is your go-to unwinding element, during the time of pregnancy, keeping alcohol out of the picture is for the better. However, if you are struggling with quitting drinking, remember that various medical support sources are ready to guide you through.