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Disclaimer: This guide is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always confirm medicine, supplement and product decisions with your obstetrician, midwife, pharmacist or healthcare provider.

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Alcohol During Pregnancy: What the Guidance Says

Published 2026-07-08 | By SafeMama Editorial Team | Editorial policy

Alcohol During Pregnancy: What the Guidance Says pregnancy safety guide image

Short answer

No. There is no amount of alcohol known to be safe during pregnancy. NHS and ACOG both advise not drinking at all while pregnant or when you might become pregnant.

No known safe amount

Alcohol in pregnancy: how to think about it

NHS guidance says the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all during pregnancy, because experts are still unsure exactly how much, if any, is safe. ACOG states that no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy and that alcohol can cause problems for a developing baby at any point, including before a person knows they are pregnant. Alcohol passes across the placenta, and the concern is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which can affect growth, facial development, learning and behaviour. Because no threshold has been established, both bodies frame the advice as abstinence rather than moderation. Many people drink before a pregnancy is confirmed; guidance is to stop once you know and to tell your midwife rather than to assume harm has occurred.

Alcohol: safer choices

  • Choosing alcohol-free drinks is the option with no known risk attached. NHS advice is not to drink at all during pregnancy.
  • Telling your midwife or doctor honestly about any drinking, including before you knew you were pregnant, so care can be tailored rather than guessed at.
  • Asking for support early if stopping is difficult. Alcohol dependence in pregnancy needs medical supervision rather than sudden self-managed withdrawal.
  • Checking labels on foods, desserts and soft drinks that may contain small amounts of alcohol if you want to avoid it entirely.

Alcohol: what to avoid or double-check

  • Avoid drinking at any stage of pregnancy. Risk is not limited to the first trimester.
  • Avoid binge drinking in particular, which ACOG links to higher risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
  • Do not assume a specific number of units is proven safe. Guidance says the safe amount is not known, which is different from saying small amounts are fine.
  • Do not stop suddenly without advice if you drink heavily or daily, because withdrawal itself can be dangerous. Ask a clinician how to stop safely.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can flag alcohol content on drink labels, including low-alcohol and alcohol-free wording, alcohol used in desserts and sauces, and alcohol-containing ingredients in some medicines and tonics, so you can check a product before you use it.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink alcohol while pregnant?

No. NHS and ACOG both advise not drinking at all during pregnancy, because no safe amount has been established. This applies at every stage, not just the first trimester.

I drank before I knew I was pregnant. What now?

This is very common. Stop drinking now and tell your midwife or doctor what you drank and when, honestly. They can then judge whether any extra monitoring helps. Most people in this situation go on to have healthy pregnancies, but the conversation is worth having.

Is one glass of wine safe in pregnancy?

No amount has been shown to be safe, so guidance does not endorse a single glass. That is not the same as saying one drink causes harm; it means the threshold is unknown and the advice reflects that uncertainty.

Does alcohol in food count?

Small amounts in cooked food are a different exposure from a drink, since much of the alcohol evaporates with heat. If you want to avoid it entirely, check labels on desserts, sauces and trifles, and ask about uncooked additions.

What about alcohol-free beer and wine?

Products labelled alcohol-free or de-alcoholised still sometimes contain a trace. Check the label, and ask your midwife if you plan to drink them often.

I think I am dependent on alcohol. What should I do?

Speak to a clinician rather than stopping abruptly. Withdrawal can be dangerous and needs medical supervision. Support in pregnancy is confidential and focused on helping, not judging.

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