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How Harmful Is Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy?

Posted on Thu, 30 Oct 2014

Question: Hello,
I am very nervous about something. I am 16 weeks pregnant. I recently went on a vacation that was very stressful. I was surrounded by people drinking at all times. One afternoon I had two white wine spritzers. I think that this was more than the 1-2 units of alcohol some people say is okay for occasional consumption. I definitely don't think it more than 7.5 units. Will this hurt my baby? Other than that I have not been drinking. I am very nervous about it and I am worried that my nervousness is bad for the baby too.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The baby is most likely safe but please dont drink

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.

You have highlighted a very controversial question. I'm pleased to inform you that your baby is safe.

My reference information if from the following research studies in recent times.

1. Binge drinking three or more times during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, but neither frequency nor timing of binge drinking was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in clinically recognized pregnancies.

To read the abstract of the article please click on the link below.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000

2. Another recent study on the subject shows that an international team of researchers is reporting that pregnant women who drink alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy and possibly beyond aren’t putting their babies at risk for premature birth or low birth weight, or themselves at risk for high blood pressure complications during pregnancy.

This material is published internationally and if you're interested in reading more please click on the link below.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/study-no-connection-between-drinking-alcohol-early-in-pregnancy-and-birth-problems-0000

This is only a primary finding and does not support drinking during pregnancy in any way.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (19 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. I do feel better now and I know that I will not drink in the future. Just out of curiosity--I have read a lot of information about light drinking, moderate drinking, and binge drinking while pregnant. Do you know how many drinks and/or alcoholic units are considered to be binge drinking? I have read that it is 5 or more drinks. Is that true or would a units-based measurement be more accurate?

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking usually corresponds to 5 or more drinks on a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for women, generally within about 2 hours.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar