Alcohol Use in Pregnancy

Abstract

Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental problems. There is no known safe amount of alcohol you can drink during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. Too many people continue to drink during pregnancy. About 1 in 10 pregnant people in the United States drank alcohol in the past 30 days. About 1 in 22 pregnant people in the United States had 4 or more drinks at one time (binge drinking) in the past 30 days. These problems are completely preventable if a person does not drink alcohol during pregnancy. Why take the risk?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and a range of physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities for the baby that can last a lifetime. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Some of the health and other problems of people with FASDs include learning disabilities, hyperactivity, difficulty with attention, speech and language delays, intellectual disabilities, and poor reasoning (thinking) and judgment skills. People born with FASDs can also have problems with their organs, including the heart and kidneys. Some babies with FASDs can have a smaller head, weigh less than other babies, and have parts of their faces that look different than other babies.

There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or when you are trying to get pregnant. Alcohol is passed through the placenta and the fetus is exposed to the same amount as the pregnant person. All exposure to any drinks with alcohol can affect a baby's growth and development and cause FASDs. A 5-ounce glass of wine has the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce can of beer or a 1.5-ounce shot of straight liquor. All types of alcohol—even wine, wine coolers, seltzers, hard cider and beer—can harm your developing baby. The Chart on the following page shows when your baby is developing different parts of its body that may be harmed by drinking alcohol.

It is best to stop drinking alcohol when you start trying to get pregnant. Many people become pregnant and do not know it right away. It may be up to 4 to 6 weeks before you know for sure that you are pregnant. This means you might be drinking and exposing your developing baby to alcohol without meaning to. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, it's best to get treatment before you try to get pregnant.

If you drank before you knew you were pregnant or before you knew it could harm your baby, stop now. The less exposure, the better for your baby. If you are having trouble quitting drinking, ask your health care provider for help. There are many treatment options that can help and are safe in pregnancy. Together, you can develop a plan to quit drinking.

Flesch Kincaid 7.3

Approved October 2024. This handout replaces “Alcohol in Pregnancy” published in Volume 60, Issue 1, January/February 2015.

This handoutmay be reproduced for noncommercial use by health care professionals to share with patients, but modifications to the handout are not permitted. The information and recommendations in this handout are not a substitute for health care. Consult your health care provider for information specific to you and your health.