You did cut back on alcohol to up your chances of conceiving, but you continued having a glass of wine here and there. It’s recommended that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol. When you drink while pregnant, the alcohol quickly travels through your bloodstream, crosses the placenta, and reaches your baby. Your alcohol during pregnancy baby’s body breaks down alcohol more slowly than yours does, so your little one may end up with a higher level of blood alcohol, and be exposed to alcohol for a longer time than you would be. And if you’re concerned that you are drinking too much and feel that you cannot stop — during your pregnancy or at any other time — talk with your doctor.
When can a woman start trying to get pregnant after stopping birth control?
When you get pregnant, it’s important to get regular prenatal care. If you need help to stop drinking alcohol, tell your health care provider right away. The best way to keep your baby safe is to avoid drinking any alcohol when you are pregnant and to get the right support to stop drinking, if you need it.
Getting help to stop drinking alcohol
But even babies exposed to smaller amounts of alcohol in utero can develop FASD or a number of mental, physical, or behavioral problems. Ultimately, it’s up to each mom-to-be to consult with their doctor and decide if they’ll have the occasional small drink. Those who opt to give up alcohol may miss unwinding with a cocktail, but Archie thinks they won’t regret being cautious. Here are some questions you may have about alcohol and drinking while you are pregnant.
Drinking before you know you’re pregnant
During pregnancy, alcohol increases the risk of pregnancy loss, and stillbirth, and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS can affect many aspects of development, including the heart and the brain. Nonprescription heartburn relievers, such as Tums® or Maalox®, can help you feel better. But talk to your healthcare provider before taking antacids or any other medicine for heartburn.
FASD Hub Australia contact
- If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, try not to worry.
- That’s why you might do things like add sliced fruit to your fortified breakfast cereal, top your salads with chickpeas or snack on almonds.
- Also, while some weight gain is necessary, excess weight gain can increase the risk of delivery complications and childhood obesity.
- To prevent harm from alcohol to their unborn child, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.
- Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma is a risk for pregnant women.
- The US FDA has issued guidance for pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy regarding the types and amounts of fish that should be eaten.
- If a pregnant woman has genital herpes infection, it is possible to transmit the virus to the baby at the time of delivery.
- The AAP reaffirmed their recommendation that no amount of alcohol should be consumed during any trimester of pregnancy with a video series in 2019.
- Caffeine can cross to the baby, but the effects on the baby aren’t clear.
