Can I drink alcohol during pregnancy?

There is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy. You’ll help protect your baby from the harm alcohol can cause by avoiding it altogether.  

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Alcohol and pregnancy 

How can alcohol harm my baby?

What if I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?

Who can I talk to about my drinking?

I’m worried about what will happen if I suddenly stop drinking

Alcohol unit calculator

Alcohol and pregnancy

There is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol passes from you to your baby. Babies cannot filter toxins from alcohol like you can. They are also much more vulnerable to its harmful effects because they’re so small and still developing, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy (the first trimester).

The best and safest thing you can do to protect your baby is to stop drinking when you’re pregnant. There are lots of ways to make avoiding alcohol easier and most pregnant women and birthing people stop drinking alcohol completely. You should also avoid alcohol if you’re trying for a baby.

If you find it hard to avoid alcohol, talk to your midwife, doctor or pharmacist. They will not judge you and will understand that you are trying to do your best to keep your baby safe. They will be able to help you get any extra support you need.

How can alcohol harm my baby?

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby and the more you drink, the greater the risk.

Drinking alcohol at any stage during pregnancy has been linked to complications such as miscarriage, premature birth and low birthweight. Drinking later in pregnancy can also affect your baby after they are born. 

Drinking more than 6 units of alcohol a day can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a serious condition for your baby. Symptoms include poor growth, distinct facial features and learning and behavioural problems. However, there is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy, which is why advice is to avoid it completely.  

What if I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?

If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, try not to worry. The risk of harm to the baby is likely to be low. If you are worried, you can talk to your midwife or GP. They will understand that you want to keep your baby safe by avoiding alcohol now you know you are pregnant.  

Who can I talk to about my drinking?

Some people know they are drinking too much but do not feel able to talk about it. You may not realise that drinking alcohol has become an issue if you are drinking regularly. Or you might be hiding the fact you are drinking alcohol because you fear being judged.  

Everyone who cares for you during your pregnancy wants you to be well and to help you have a healthy baby. Cutting down or stopping on your own can be difficult, and you may need help.

Talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re worried about your drinking. They will not judge you as they will know you’re trying to do your best. They can also offer you more support if you need it.

I’m worried about what will happen if I suddenly stop drinking

If you drink heavily and you think you may have problems stopping, talk to your doctor or midwife.

This is because you may have withdrawal symptoms. These can include delirium tremens (DTs), and you will need help to manage them. Your midwife or GP can get you more advice and support.  

Here are some organisations that can also support you:  

• We Are With You – a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of alcohol and drug misuse
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – a free self-help group; its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups
• NOFAS-UK helpline on 020 8458 5951

Alcohol unit calculator

Most people choose to give alcohol up completely as this is the safest thing for a developing baby.

But if you choose to carry on drinking when you are pregnant, it is important to know how many units you are drinking. This is because the risk to you and your baby increases the more you drink.  

The more units in a drink, the stronger it is. The percent numbers (%) you see on the label of the bottle or can will tell you how much of the drink is pure alcohol. This is called the ABV (Alcohol by Volume).  

Here are the units in some common alcoholic drinks:

• 1 glass (175 ml) of average white or red wine contains about 2.3 units
• 1 large glass (250 ml) of average white or red wine contains about 3.2 units
• A single shot (25ml) of 40% ABV spirit (Vodka, Gin etc.) is about 1 unit
• 1 pint of beer is around 2.3 units
• 1 pint of cider is around 2.6 units
• 1 glass of champagne is around 1.5 units
• 1 alcopop is around 1.1 units.

Find out more about planning for a pregnancy here.