Pregnancy and Alcohol
- Carmen Longworth
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Drinking alcohol is a large part of the culture in Canada. People who choose to drink alcohol are encouraged to drink responsibly, but what does that mean?
Choosing to drink alcohol responsibly can mean many different things depending on a person’s circumstances. It can mean pairing a celebratory drink with a special occasion at home, being mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume, alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout an evening out with friends or making sure you have a designated driver and never drive impaired. However, when you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it means not consuming any amount of alcohol.
You may hear many different things from people about alcohol during pregnancy. You may even feel pressured to drink at times, like at special events such as a wedding or birthday party. The reality is that alcohol consumed during pregnancy can harm a fetus. The risk level is individual, and many factors can affect it, such as other substance use genetics and nutrition.
No matter what you’ve heard, no amount of alcohol has ever been proven safe to drink during any stage of pregnancy. When trying to conceive, consuming alcohol can make it more difficult to get pregnant and can also increase the risk of miscarriage. When you are breastfeeding, it is safest not to drink as the level of alcohol in your breastmilk would be the same as the level in your blood. During pregnancy, research suggests that even low to moderate alcohol use in any trimester of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
FASD is a disability that affects the brain and body of people who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. Unlike the effects of many other drugs, the effects of alcohol exposure in utero are lifelong. This is why we say when it comes to pregnancy, not consuming any alcohol is the safest choice.
The current prevalence of FASD in Canada is estimated to be four per cent of the population. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Tourette’s Syndrome combined occur in approximately two per cent, which means there are more people in Canada living with FASD than there are with those four disabilities combined.
Each person with FASD has strengths and challenges and may need special supports to help them succeed with different parts of their daily lives. They may have a range of physical, mental and behavioural effects, which include learning disabilities, difficulties with communication, impulse control, attention and social skills.
September, the ninth month of the year to coincide with the nine months of pregnancy, is FASD Awareness Month in Canada, with September ninth being International FASD Awareness Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, highlight prevention and support efforts, and encourage people to learn more about FASD. AGLC provides funding to give all Albertans the opportunity to take the Foundations in FASD online training course for free through the Canada FASD Research Network.
For those trying to get pregnant and their loved ones, there is a great community of support available through the free Dry9 program, which encourages and supports Albertans to go dry during pregnancy. Sign up online at Dry9.ca any time during pregnancy and receive timely information on how your healthy choice could be impacting your baby’s development – and get a free t-shirt! You can also sign up to do a Dry9 as a supporter of a loved one in your life and receive tips, resources and fun facts about the baby's development, and ways to support your loved one through pregnancy.
For more information about alcohol and its effects, please visit DrinkSense.AB.ca. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or topic suggestions regarding alcohol and parenting at drinksense@aglc.ca.
Resources
Canada FASD Research Network.
Foundations in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Carmen Longworth
Program Specialist – Liquor
Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC)
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