Avoiding alcohol in pregnancy

If you’re trying to get pregnant, both you and your partner should avoid alcohol. If your partner doesn’t want to avoid alcohol, they shouldn’t drink more than 2 standard drinks a day.

If you’re pregnant, it’s safest not to drink any alcohol. Drinking alcohol when pregnant can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and serious health problems in your baby.
No safe levels of alcohol in pregnancy or while breastfeeding

There are no safe levels of alcohol in pregnancy. Drinking alcohol in pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. Not drinking while pregnant is safest.

Drinking alcohol in pregnancy can lead to problems with your child’s health, learning, and emotional and social development. One of the most serious problems is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s safest not to drink alcohol. Alcohol passes straight into breastmilk and can affect your baby’s development.
Alternatives to drinking alcohol in pregnancy

You can have non-alcoholic drinks like water, milk, herbal teas and non-alcoholic wine and beer. Check the labels of non-alcoholic drinks, because some contain small amounts of alcohol.

If you drink alcohol to manage stress, look for other ways to relax or treat yourself. For example, you could take a bath, have a massage, or go for a walk.