What happens if you drink at the beginning of pregnancy

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol travels through her blood and into the baby's blood, tissues, and organs. Alcohol breaks down much more slowly in the baby's body than in an adult. That means the baby's blood alcohol level remains increased longer than the mother's. This can harm the baby and can sometimes lead to lifelong damage.

DANGERS OF ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY

Drinking a lot of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a group of defects in the baby known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Symptoms can include:

• Behavior and attention problems
• Heart defects
• Changes in the shape of the face
• Poor growth before and after birth
• Poor muscle tone and problems with movement and balance
• Problems with thinking and speech
• Learning problems

These medical problems are lifelong and can range from mild to severe.

Complications seen in the infant may include:

• Cerebral palsy
• Premature delivery
• Pregnancy loss or stillbirth

HOW MUCH ALCOHOL IS SAFE?

There is no known "safe" amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol anytime during pregnancy can be harmful.

Alcohol includes beer, wine, wine coolers, and liquor.

One drink is defined as:

• 12 oz of beer
• 5 oz of wine
• 1.5 oz of liquor

How much you drink is just as important as how often you drink.

• Even if you don't drink often, drinking a large amount at one time can harm the baby.
• Binge drinking (5 or more drinks on one sitting) greatly increases a baby's risk of developing alcohol-related damage.
• Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol when pregnant may lead to miscarriage.
• Heavy drinkers (those who drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day) are at greater risk of giving birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome.
• The more you drink, the more you raise your baby's risk for harm.

DO NOT DRINK DURING PREGNANCY

Women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking any amount of alcohol. The only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome is to not drink alcohol during pregnancy.

If you did not know you were pregnant and drank alcohol, stop drinking as soon as you learn you are pregnant. The sooner you stop drinking alcohol, the healthier your baby will be.

Choose nonalcoholic versions of beverages you like.

If you cannot control your drinking, avoid being around other people who are using alcohol.

Pregnant women with alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program. They should also be followed closely by a health care provider.

The following organization may be of help:

If you’re pregnant, you’ll need to think carefully about what is safe to eat and drink, and what medicines you can take. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can be harmful to your unborn baby.

How much alcohol is safe to drink when pregnant?

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, already pregnant or breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option as alcohol can harm your unborn baby.

How much you drink matters. The more you drink, the more likely it is that the baby will suffer some harm. The more alcohol and the more frequently alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, the higher the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This is a range of physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional problems caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

There is no research that supports even having an occasional drink will do little harm. Experts say that there is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy.

So not drinking at all while you’re pregnant is the safest option.

What effects does alcohol have on an unborn baby?

When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your unborn baby. It can affect the development of the baby’s brain, spinal cord and other organs.

The first trimester is the time when the baby’s organs are developing most quickly, so that is the time of highest risk of harm to your baby. However there is no safe time to have alcohol during your pregnancy.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and FASD.

What should I do if I drank alcohol before knowing I was pregnant?

It’s possible that you drank alcohol in the first few weeks of your pregnancy, when you didn’t know you were pregnant. The risk from low level drinking before you knew you were pregnant is likely to be low. But once you know you are pregnant, it’s safest to avoid drinking for the rest of your pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

If you are concerned, speak to your doctor or midwife or you can call NOFASD Australia on 1800 860 613 for confidential information or support.

What if I’m planning to become pregnant?

If you’re planning to become pregnant, not drinking is the safest option. That will give your baby the best chance.

Tips to avoid alcohol during pregnancy

It can be hard to avoid alcohol in social situations, particularly in the earlier stages when others might not know about your pregnancy. You might feel pressured to behave like you normally would, which may include drinking.

Pregnancy is a natural stage of life and shouldn’t stop you from socialising. But if you are in a situation where drinking is involved, a good alternative is to have a non-alcoholic drink you enjoy. You might also find it helpful to say:

• No, thank you, I’m not drinking tonight.
• No, thank you, I have to drive.
• I have a big day/early meeting tomorrow so no thanks.
• I’m not feeling the best so would rather not, thanks.

If you’re used to drinking at home, perhaps at the end of the day to relax, you might consider alternatives like taking a bath, going for a walk or reading a book.

Where to find support to give up alcohol

If you’re finding it hard to give up alcohol while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it might help to talk to your doctor, midwife or obstetrician for advice and treatment, and to friends and family for support.

You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse for advice and support.

Once that little blue line appears confirming your pregnancy, you might be really worried about any alcohol you drank before you knew you were pregnant.

If you’re asking yourself ‘Is it bad I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?’ here are some facts that might help.

Experts recommend couples should make significant lifestyle changes at least three months before conceiving.

This includes cutting out habits such as smoking and binge drinking, as well as improving your diet.

In reality, up to 50% of pregnancies aren’t planned and many women don’t notice the early signs of pregnancy.

Here are 9 things to consider if you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant.

#1: What happens if I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?

First, try not to worry. Whether your drink consisted of a small glass of wine with dinner or quite a few more drinks at a birthday party, worrying about it won’t make a bit of difference.

It’s unlikely the alcohol you drank before knowing you were pregnant has harmed your unborn child. Before you’ve missed your period, there’s little you can do that will hurt or help your pregnancy.

Pregnancy is calculated in weeks from the date of the first day of your last menstrual period. You probably conceived around week 2 or 3, depending on when you ovulated, when you had sex, and when implantation occurred.

By the time your period is due, you’re already entering week 4 of pregnancy. Most women don’t test for pregnancy until they’ve missed a period, which is around the time your baby’s placenta will begin to form.

In reality, then, any drinking you’ve done up to this point is unlikely to affect your baby.

The placenta starts functioning between 8 and 12 weeks – on average at about 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Your GP, midwife or gynecologist can offer the best advice, tailored to your situation, so make sure they’re in the know.

It won’t be the first time your healthcare provider has been faced with a confession from a pregnant woman who has drunk alcohol, and it certainly won’t be the last.

#2: Can you drink alcohol while trying to get pregnant?

If you’re consciously trying to get pregnant, the advice from all health professionals is to take the best possible care of yourself.

This means looking after yourself as if you’re already pregnant.

It’s recommended you stop drinking and smoking, as these things can affect your chances of successful conception.

The studies on alcohol use while trying to conceive are limited. Some studies suggest if a woman drinks small amounts it is unlikely to cause health issues for her unborn baby.

Most research, however, recognizes there isn’t a way to identify any level that is safe.

Experts say that it’s not worth the risk and advise any woman trying to conceive to avoid alcohol.

#3: Does drinking alcohol affect female fertility?

There are studies that show moderate to excessive consumption of alcohol can affect a woman’s ability to conceive.

This research links excessive alcohol use to reduced number and quality of your eggs, as well as earlier menopause.

It also shows women with high alcohol use are more likely to seek help in getting pregnant and more likely to need fertility treatment.

Be sure to read Investigating Infertility – Preliminary Tests for information about things you might need to consider if you’re having trouble conceiving.

#4: Can drinking alcohol affect male fertility?

The study mentioned above also showed a link between long-term excessive alcohol consumption and male fertility.

Among other serious things, men who drank excessively showed a reduction in the amount of sperm production and also a decrease in the quality of sperm.

Any man trying to become a father would probably like to know if his little swimmers were going to be affected by his drinking. He would want them in top-notch condition for the important job of conception.

There are other causes of male infertility.

If you need more advice, read BellyBelly’s article Male Infertility – What Causes Male Infertility?.

#5: How early in pregnancy does alcohol affect the baby?

Alcohol consumption in the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth.

Once the placenta forms and begins to function, then there is an increased risk of your baby having specific birth defects related to alcohol consumption.

Research shows drinking while pregnant, especially in excessive amounts, can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is based on the appearance of facial abnormalities, growth problems, brain damage, and cognitive and behavioral concerns.

The study shows as the amount of alcohol during pregnancy increases the degree of fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects also increases.

The research also shows there’s no way to identify a safe amount of alcohol exposure for the growing embryo in early pregnancy.

Once the placenta is formed it’s the lifeline for your growing baby. Alcohol can easily cross over the placenta, and to your baby, in higher doses than it would enter your bloodstream.

Most mothers want only the best for themselves and their unborn babies. Arming yourself with this information could be vital in protecting your unborn child and helping you reduce your intake of alcohol during pregnancy.

#6: Can drinking alcohol the night before affect a pregnancy test?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone detected when you take that first, exciting (in most cases) pee on a test stick.

It can take a while for the hormone to reach high enough amounts in your bloodstream to be detected by blood tests.

Read hCG Levels – What Should They Be Each Week? for more information.

Alcoholic beverages are unlikely to affect a pregnancy test result. However, they can have an effect on your unborn child if you were to receive a positive result.

If you suspect, even for a minute, you could be pregnant, or if you have been trying to get pregnant, the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to say no to that alcoholic drink.

#7: Can alcohol hurt a baby in the first week?

Remember, pregnancy is calculated, in weeks, from the date of the first day of your last menstrual period.

So technically you’re not pregnant in the first week, as you can’t conceive until you ovulate. For most women, ovulation usually happens during the middle of their menstrual cycle.

Binge drinking of alcohol during this time might inhibit implantation. So it’s possible for a woman to conceive but go on to have her period, as normal.

As we don’t know what level of alcohol is actually safe in pregnancy, it’s best to avoid it as soon as you decide to try to conceive, or as soon as you suspect you’re pregnant.

#8: Can drinking at 3 weeks pregnant harm the baby?

Around 6-11 days after ovulation, the fertilized egg implants into your uterus. You’re officially pregnant now, but your period hasn’t yet been missed.

By this time, the fertilized egg is a ball of cells, which will start to divide into the placenta and the embryo. The placenta won’t begin to function until around week 8 of pregnancy.

Drinking at this stage is unlikely to harm your baby but, given this is a time of rapid development, the baby is vulnerable.

Even though the mother’s and the baby’s blood don’t actually mix, oxygen and nutrients are delivered through this amazing organ – the placenta – and unfortunately, alcohol can also pass through easily.

Since we already know there’s no safe level of alcohol intake, it isn’t worth risking the health and development of your unborn child when you know you are pregnant.

#9: I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant – will my baby be ok?

Instead of wasting time worrying about the effects of past drinks, focus your efforts on choosing a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Do not waste your energy worrying and feeling stressed over a couple of drinks. You’ll already be starting to deal with other pregnancy symptoms and signs, such as morning sickness, and keeping up with advice from your doctor.

It’s important to try to keep your stress levels to a minimum during pregnancy.

Instead of worrying about something you can’t change, pour your efforts into something you can. Join a prenatal yoga class, drink more water, and spend some time bonding with your unborn baby.