Drinking alcohol while pregnant
Experts are aware that alcohol can be harmful in pregnancy, even at low levels. The safest approach is not to drink at all while you're pregnant.
Is it safe to drink alcohol when pregnant?
The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, with the more you drink, the greater the risk.
How does alcohol affect my unborn baby?
When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your baby. A baby's liver is one of the last organs to develop and doesn't mature until the later stages of pregnancy. Your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect their development. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birth weight. The risks are greater the more you drink. The effects include learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Drinking heavily throughout pregnancy can cause your baby to develop a serious condition called fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Children with FAS have:
- poor growth
- facial abnormalities
- learning and behavioural problems
Drinking less heavily, and even drinking heavily on single occasions, may be associated with lesser forms of FAS. The risk is likely to be greater the more you drink.
Avoiding alcohol in pregnancy
It may not be as difficult as you think to avoid alcohol completely for nine months, as many women go off the taste of alcohol early in pregnancy.
Most women do give up alcohol once they know they're pregnant or when they're planning to become pregnant.
Women who find out they're pregnant after already having drunk in early pregnancy should avoid further drinking.
If you've consumed alcohol during your pregnancy and are concerned, or would like further information or support regarding alcohol in pregnancy please contact the VIP Midwives
VIP midwives contact numbers:
Hazel Sinclair – 07810637755 hazel.sinclair@nhs.scot
Margaret Lawson – 07810637784 margaret.lawson@nhs.scot
What is a unit of alcohol?
If you do decide to drink when you’re pregnant, it's important to know how many units you are consuming.
One UK unit is 10 millilitres (ml) – or eight grams – of pure alcohol. This is equal to:
- half a pint of beer, lager or cider at 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV: you can find this on the label)
- a single measure (25ml) of spirit, such as whisky, gin, rum or vodka, at 40% ABV
- half a standard (175ml) glass of wine at 11.5% ABV
You can find out how many units there are in different types and brands of drinks with the Drinkaware unit and calorie calculator –
If you have an Android smartphone, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you can download the free One You Drinks Tracker from Google Play or the iTunes App Store. It allows you to keep a drinks diary and get feedback on your drinking.
Alcohol support services
If you would like further information or support regarding alcohol in pregnancy please contact the VIP midwifes at the numbers above.
Confidential help and support is also available from local counselling services:
- Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, call this free helpline on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
- Addaction (www.addaction.org.uk) is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of alcohol and drug misuse.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
- Find your nearest alcohol support services
