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Alcohol Use and Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol is a common social activity for many women. In fact, 76 percent of the women surveyed in the Canadian Addiction Survey reported drinking in the past year. However, we don’t always think about the possible risks that may be associated with drinking, nor understand that those risks are different for men and for women. Women’s vulnerability is influenced by: body size and composition, age, genetics, and both previous and current life circumstances and stressors. These factors influence the ways in which women respond to alcohol, and can act in combination to increase risk. There are also some very specific health risks associated with heavy drinking by women. For more information, click here to see Women and Alcohol: A Women’s Health Resource (PDF) .

There are some situations when alcohol consumption has increased risks. For example, women are advised to refrain from drinking when they are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. There are a number of risks to a developing baby if a woman drinks alcohol when pregnant. All drinks with alcohol can be harmful to a developing baby. Alcohol is in beer, wine, hard liquor, coolers and ciders.

There is no known safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. The baby’s brain and nervous system develop throughout pregnancy. It is never too late to quit or cut down.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the name for the range of harms caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. These harms can include brain damage, vision and hearing problems, slow growth, and birth defects, such as bones that are not properly formed and heart problems. Brain damage can mean that a child will have lifelong leaning disabilities and problems in memory, reasoning and judgment.

It is not uncommon that pregnant women drink alcohol before knowing they are pregnant, given that about 50% of births in Canada are not planned. Stress and worry can make things worse for a pregnant woman and her baby.

It is never too late to stop drinking or using other substances during pregnancy. The best way for a pregnant woman to reduce the risk of harm to her baby is to look after her own health. Supporting health during pregnancy can also include: eating healthy food, finding a healthcare provider, decreasing stress, and living in a safe place. For more information about how to be healthy during pregnancy, see Baby’s Best Chance (PDF) .

For more information on pregnancy and alcohol use, see the BC HealthLink Files: Pregnancy and Alcohol Use , and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder , and see Baby’s Best Chance in the Resources section.

For more information on the risks and recommendations for the use of alcohol and other substances during pregnancy and breastfeeding, see Is It Safe for My Baby? in the Resources section.

If you would like more information about pregnancy programs in your area, see the BC Pregnancy Outreach Program website or contact the Public Health Unit at your local Health Authority (see Health Authorities in Resources section for HA contact details).

Pregnancy and Alcohol Use Resources:

If you need help to stop or cut down on drinking, be sure to talk to someone. Friends, family or a doctor, nurse or counsellor can help.

BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses
Phone: 604-669-6943
or 1-800-661-1040
www.bcysth.ca

Local Public Health Unit
For information on pregnancy and other health support programs in your area, contact your local healthy authority. See Resources section for contact information.

Motherisk
1-877-327-4636
www.motherisk.org

Alcohol and Drug Referral Service
Province-wide toll-free:
1-800-663-1441
Greater Vancouver:
604-660-9382

Call if you need help from an alcohol counsellor, or for more information on where counselling is available in your area.

BC Pregnancy Outreach Program

For additional resources, see Baby’s Best Chance in the Resources section, or the Healthy Choices in Pregnancy website .

Remember – There is no known safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. The baby’s brain and nervous system develop throughout pregnancy. It is never too late to quit or cut down.