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Published in General on Apr 19th 2017

Alcohol Awareness Month: What Pregnant Women Need to Know

“I had some wine every so often, and my baby is fine.”
“My mother drank while she was pregnant with me, and I turned out OK.”
“It’s only the first trimester, you can have a glass.”
“One small glass won’t matter.”
“Avoid liquor, but wine is OK.”

These quotes are just some of the more common arguments heard when discussing alcohol consumption while pregnant – arguments that conflict with what women usually hear from their doctors. Pacific Women's OB/GYN Medical Group understands that there is a wealth of this conflicting information out there about drinking before, during and after pregnancy. Unfortunately, all the above arguments share one key fact in common: they’re wrong.

Many women will follow some of this bad advice and uneducated logic because they don’t want yet another lifestyle change due to their pregnancy, or because a small amount of alcohol doesn’t seem like it’s a big deal.

However, just because they’re common doesn’t mean they’re correct. Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid alcohol consumption while trying for a pregnancy, during a pregnancy and even in the days and weeks after childbirth, depending on their decision to nurse.

Is there any safe amount of alcohol I can drink while pregnant?

It can be tempting to argue that that half a glass of your favorite wine at the end of a difficult week will not impact the long-term health of your baby. That seems especially true considering all of the healthy lifestyle improvements such as diet and exercise that you’ve probably made since the moment the test turned positive.

However, physicians still warn women to avoid trying to justify any drinking because no amount of alcohol has been deemed safe to consume while pregnant, despite the all-too-common misconception that such a measurement exists. There is also no “safe” time to have an alcoholic beverage during your pregnancy, and there is no difference in safety from one trimester to another.

Who do I turn to with questions about alcohol consumption during pregnancy?

Women are advised to speak with their obstetrician if they have any questions or concerns during their pregnancy, including questions about alcohol. Family and friends may be well-meaning, and of course they only have your best interests at heart, but when it comes to decisions that can impact the health of your child, your physician should be the trusted source of information.

Contact your Pacific Women's OB/GYN Medical Group provider to discuss lifestyle changes during pregnancy.