Many people know that you are recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but this also applies if you are trying to get pregnant or if you suspect that you might be pregnant. But we know that life is something you cannot plan for, it is not always easy. Perhaps you just stopped your contraceptive and did not anticipate a positive pregnancy test so soon? Or did you not plan for pregnancy but have now received a positive pregnancy message? Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, it is not uncommon to start thinking about your alcohol conception before you receive your result.
After receiving a positive pregnancy result, zero tolerance applies to alcohol. No one knows what amount of alcohol could possibly be safe, even small amounts of alcohol can potentially be harmful to the fetus. Alcohol passes freely to the fetus and can not be broken down as efficiently as it does inside the mother. The risk of organ damage seems to be greatest at the beginning of pregnancy (between weeks 5 and 10 of the pregnancy, when the fetus is 3 to 8 weeks old). During later stages of pregnancy, more cognitive abilities such as learning and concentration are affected.
What can I do if the pregnancy test is showing positive and I have been drinking before finding out?
First things first, remember that pregnancy is a long process, your baby has more or less 40 weeks to develop, so refrain from drinking from the moment you find out, your baby has a lot of development left. Although alcohol should be avoided throughout pregnancy, there seems to be very little risk that a small intake of alcohol, occasionally early in the pregnancy, would harm the fetus. So if you drank alcohol before your pregnancy notice, bring it up with your midwife who can then give you advice in the future.
How much a baby is affected by harmful substances during pregnancy depends on several factors. Especially if there are several different substances present such as alcohol, tobacco or other substances, but also the general condition of the fetus and the inherited ability to tolerate harmful substances. When talking about risks, it is therefore important to consider the alcohol intake and other unhealthy habits you might have engaged in during pregnancy and weigh them against the positive things you have done for your health and well-being. Avoid alcohol during the continued stages of the pregnancy and follow recommendations regarding diet and lifestyle. Take folic acid and any other supplements that are recommended for you. All of this affects the development of the fetus and its ability to resist harmful substances.
Source:
- Floyd R.L., Decouflé P. & Hungerford D. W. (1999) Alcohol use prior to pregnancy recognition