Alcohol and early pregnancy

Congratulations! The pregnancy test reveals a clear blue line. Whether it’s your first or your fourth you know your new bundle of joy is going to have quite an impact on your life. But while a brand new bump is a great reason for a celebratory toast for your partner, getting pregnant means it may be time to re-assess your relationship with alcohol – for the next nine months at least.

Your most immediate thoughts might be around when and how you tell family and friends your good news. During the first 12 weeks many women choose to keep their pregnancy under wraps, because this period is when the risk of miscarriage is at its highest (1). Making the decision to go without drinking is one way to start caring for your unborn child. 

Suspicious minds

Not drinking and not revealing your happy news, however is not with out problems. You might start to realise just how ingrained alcohol had been in your social situations up to that point and for many that can be quite sobering - if you’ll pardon the pun. For example, if you are someone who socialises with friends and families regularly and normally has the odd glass of wine, your sudden abstinence might start to make people suspicious. 

“I used to meet up with my girlfriends every Wednesday night for a couple of cocktails and a gossip,” says 32-year-old Jo from East Sussex. 

“When I discovered I was pregnant I couldn’t even consider drinking. For one thing – there’s no way I could have kept a drink down, because I felt so nauseous. But turning up to our sessions drinking orange juice would have been a dead give-away.”

Jo Decided to find a few excuses not to attend and when she did she drove.

 “It was hard to keep up the pretence,” she admits. “But when I finally told them they all seemed genuinely surprised and happy.”

Facts about the foetus

In 2009, the Government updated their guidelines on drinking during pregnancy to recommend that pregnant women, or women trying for a baby, should avoid alcohol altogether. (2)This is because alcohol consumed during pregnancy passes straight through the placenta and into the baby’s bloodstream. It can then affect the baby’s development in the womb, cause problems with the heart at birth and lead to learning difficulties for the child in the future. Scientists say that binge drinking can be particularly harmful. (3)

With all that in mind, it’s not surprising that women often choose to ditch the booze while their baby is forming. The hard part, as Jo discovered, is making sure others don’t find out before you’re ready to let on.    

Finding it hard to keep your secret?

While your friends will probably not think anything of you giving alcohol a miss on a night out, there are few ‘little white lies’ you can have up your sleeve if they ask why - and the good thing is that some of them might well be true.

“We’re both taking a break from drinking” Claiming that you and your partner are having an extended breather from alcohol is a good move. Roping in your other half will hopefully give you a little extra credibility.

“I’m driving” Probably the ultimate excuse – these two simple words stop any comeback dead in its tracks.

“I’m trying to get in shape” A bottle of wine is packed with excess calories, so watching your weight could be the perfect excuse for passing when you’re offered a glass. 

 “I’m recovering from a heavy night out” Pleading a hangover means you can stick to mineral water without arousing suspicion. If offered a ’hair of the dog’, say that it’ll only make you feel worse in the long run.

“I’m on antibiotics” Stay vague about your symptoms and with a bit of luck only your closest friends will be nosy enough to ask about your ‘illness’.

“I’ve got a drink already” Just because you’ve got a glass in your hand doesn’t mean it contains alcohol. ‘Mocktails’, sparkling water (especially with ice and a slice) or grape juice make ideal decoys.

Footnotes

(1) NHS choices website, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Miscarriage/Pages/Introduction.aspx
(2) 2008, Pregnancy and Alcohol, Department of Health, Department of Health, p1.
(3) 2006, ‘Alcohol and pregnancy: information for you’, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, pp 2-3. 

Page last updated by

Matthew Bateman, 04 Nov 2009.

Page checked on

04 Nov 2009