Can You Drink While Pregnant?
It happens. Perhaps you weren’t trying to get pregnant, but now your period is late and you can’t stop thinking about the drinks you enjoyed with your partner last weekend. Maybe you already know that you’re pregnant, but a friend convinced you that it’s ok to have a glass of wine in the early stages of pregnancy. Whatever your situation, you may be worried about the damage that drinking during pregnancy could cause.
We understand how scary a moment like this can be. So, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Today, we’re exploring what can happen if you drink early in and throughoutduring pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more.
Can Alcohol Affect a Pregnancy Test?
If you’re experiencing pregnancy symptoms, the first thing you need to do is take a pregnancy test. But, what if you’ve been drinking recently? Could the alcohol in your system affect your results?
The short answer is no—alcohol itself doesn’t affect pregnancy test results. But, alcohol can cause dehydration, which will make you want to drink more water. Excess water can dilute your urine and make it difficult for the pregnancy test to detect your hCG level[1], which could result in an inaccurate reading. If you’ve been drinking recently, you may want to wait until your fluid intake returns to normal so you can get an accurate result.
Don’t want to take this first step alone? Consider visiting Options Clinic. We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds so that you can confirm your pregnancy in a confidential, compassionate environment.
I Drank Before I Knew I Was Pregnant. What Should I Do?
The good news is that a little drinking early in pregnancy is unlikely to cause any harm[2]. However, you need to stop drinking immediately once you know that you’re pregnant. The sooner you stop drinking, the healthier your baby will be[3].
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor with questions or concerns. Be sure to attend regular prenatal checkups to monitor the health and development of your pregnancy.
How Much Alcohol Can You Drink While Pregnant?
Although a small amount of alcohol early in pregnancy doesn’t usually cause harm,
it’s crucial to stop drinking to prevent any alcohol-related problems from developing in the long run. There’s no “safe amount” of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Even if you don’t drink often, drinking a lot in one sitting can cause serious harm[3]. Additionally, there’s no “safe kind” of alcohol to drink during pregnancy—this includes wine, beer, and mixed drinks[4].
Studies show that alcohol appears to be the most dangerous during the first three months of pregnancy, but drinking at any point during pregnancy is still very risky[3]. The best thing to do is to avoid alcohol entirely for the rest of your pregnancy.
How Much Alcohol Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Can Alcohol Cause Miscarriage?
Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences, such as fetal alcohol syndrome and even miscarriage.
Heavy drinking (more than 2 drinks a day) increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome[3].
Binge drinking (more than five drinks in one sitting) significantly increases a baby's risk of sustaining alcohol-related damage[3].
Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage[3].
These conditions can be prevented if you abstain from alcohol. If you want to maintain a healthy pregnancy but cannot stop drinking, there are ways to get help. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous Montana, your local addiction treatment center, Boyd Andrew Community Services, or speak to your doctor to get started.
Can I Drink if I’m Planning on Getting an Abortion?
You should still avoid alcohol even if you’re considering abortion in Montana. Alcohol thins the blood, which makes it harder for your body to clot and control bleeding[5]. Drinking before or after an abortion (or any medical procedure) increases the risk of excessive bleeding[5], which would require emergency treatment.
We also encourage you to explore all of your pregnancy options and receive an ultrasound before an abortion. This will help you to make the most informed decision for your health and future.
Free Pregnancy Services in Helena, MT
We get it—an unintended pregnancy can be stressful enough without the fear that something has already gone wrong. You aren’t in this alone. Options Clinic provides free pregnancy services so that you can get the care and support you deserve.
Call us at (406) 422-1011 or request your appointment online today. All services are free and confidential.
Please be aware that Options Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
Common foods and drinks: What can affect a pregnancy test result? Clearblue. (2022, September 29). Retrieved from https://www.clearblue.com/pregnancy-tests/what-can-affect-a-pregnancy-test-result#
Alcohol and Women. ACOG | American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021, December). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/alcohol-and-women
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022, January 10). Alcohol and pregnancy. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007454.htm
Alcohol and Pregnancy Questions and Answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 14). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/faqs.html
Ballard, H. S. (1997). The Hematological Complications of Alcoholism. Alcohol Health and Research World. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826798/#