It happens. Maybe you weren’t trying to get pregnant, but now your period is late and all you can think about are the drinks you shared with your partner last weekend. Perhaps you already know that you’re pregnant, but a friend told you it’s ok to have a little wine early in pregnancy. Whatever the case may be, you may be worried about the damage that drinking during pregnancy can cause.
We understand how easy it can be to spiral at a moment like this. You’ve likely got a lot of fears and questions running through your mind right now. So, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Today, we’re exploring what can happen if you drink early in and during pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more!
Can Drinking Affect a Pregnancy Test?
If you’re experiencing pregnancy symptoms, the first step is to take a pregnancy test. However, if you’ve been drinking recently, you may be wondering if the alcohol in your system could affect your results.
The short answer is that alcohol itself doesn’t affect your results. But, drinking 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 lead to an inaccurate result. If you’ve been drinking recently, you may want to wait until the alcohol passes from your system and allow your fluid intake to return to normal before taking a pregnancy test.
Don’t want to take this first step alone? Consider visiting Women’s Choice Resource Center! We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds so that you can confirm your pregnancy in a confidential, compassionate environment.
What if I Drank Before I Knew I Was Pregnant?
However, you must stop drinking immediately once you confirm the pregnancy. The sooner you stop drinking, the healthier your baby will be[2]!
It’s always wise to reach out to your doctor to discuss your concerns. Be sure to attend regular prenatal checkups to monitor the health and development of your pregnancy.
Is it Safe to Drink Wine While Pregnant?
Although drinking 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. There’s no “safe kind” of alcohol to drink during pregnancy—this includes wine, beer, and mixed drinks[3]. Additionally, 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[2]. 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[2]. The best thing to do is to avoid alcohol entirely for the remainder of your pregnancy!
How Much Alcohol Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Can Drinking Alcohol Cause a Miscarriage?
Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences, such as fetal alcohol syndrome and even miscarriage.
- Drinking heavily (having more than 2 drinks a day) increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome[2].
- Binge drinking (having more than five drinks in one sitting) significantly increases a baby’s risk of sustaining alcohol-related damage[2].
- Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage[2].
These conditions are preventable if a baby isn’t exposed to alcohol before birth. If you want to maintain a healthy pregnancy but cannot stop drinking, there are ways to get help! Contact your local alcohol treatment center or speak to your doctor to get started.
Can I Drink if I’m Planning on Getting an Abortion?
Even if you’re considering abortion, you should still avoid alcohol. Alcohol thins the blood, which can interfere with your body’s ability to clot and control bleeding[4]. Because of this, drinking before or after an abortion (or any medical procedure) increases the risk of excessive bleeding[4] and other serious complications, which would require emergency treatment.
We 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!
Unplanned Pregnancy Support in Fort Worth, TX
We get it—an unplanned pregnancy can be stressful enough without the fear that something has already gone wrong. You aren’t in this alone. Women’s Choice Resource Center provides free pregnancy services so that you can get the care and support you deserve!
Give us a call at (817) 587-0710 or schedule your appointment online today! All services are free and confidential.
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#
- 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/#
