No amount of alcohol at any stage of your pregnancy is safe for your baby.
Not even an occasional drink is safe. Alcohol can harm your baby's development in the womb.
Drinking during pregnancy also increases your risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
All alcoholic drinks are harmful, including all types of wine and beer.
If you are pregnant and drink alcohol
If you drink alcohol and find out you are pregnant, stop drinking immediately. Your baby has a better chance of healthy brain growth and development.
Some people find it hard to stop drinking. If you find it hard to stop, talk to your GP, midwife or a local alcohol support service.
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.
If you are planning to get pregnant
Do not drink alcohol if you are trying for a baby. If you get pregnant, your baby will not be exposed to alcohol and the dangers this can bring.
Planning an alcohol-free pregnancy
You might find it hard to give up alcohol before or while you are pregnant. It can be especially hard if you drink alcohol regularly or everyone around you is drinking.
You might feel under pressure to drink alcohol, especially in early pregnancy. At that stage, you may not have told many people you are pregnant.
There are things you can do to help have an alcohol-free pregnancy.
Do
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avoid people and places that you associate with drinking - make a plan to deal with things that make you want to drink
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tell someone close to you why you're not drinking alcohol - it can help to have support, especially during nights out or social occasions
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bring your own soft drinks to parties or events - in this way you can drink something you like
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plan activities that do not involve alcohol - go to the cinema or out for a walk with friends
Avoid drinks labelled non-alcoholic
Some drinks claiming to be non-alcoholic or alcohol-free can still contain small amounts of alcohol. It's safest not to drink these while you are pregnant.
Soft drinks you might like
Non-alcoholic drinks do not have to be boring. There are lots of choices. Do not feel you have to only drink water.
Experiment with drinks to find something you like, such as:
- mocktails, with fruit juices, herbs and sparkling water
- iced fruit teas
- soda and lime
- cranberry juice and ginger ale
How friends and family can help you avoid alcohol
Ask your friends and family to:
- spend time with you away from alcohol
- go for walks or meet in cafes
- focus on healthy activities
- have alcohol-free or soft drinks available if hosting parties or events
- never pressure you to have a drink
How alcohol can harm your baby
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
FASD harms your baby's developing brain and body. It happens when alcohol passes from the mother's blood into the baby's blood through the placenta.
Problems caused by FASD are lifelong and can be serious.
Important
Drinking during any stage of pregnancy can be harmful to your baby.