Alcohol and pregnancy: why you should not drink

Contents

01
Alcohol and pregnancy: zero tolerance
02
I drank alcohol without knowing I was pregnant — is that serious?
03
Can I eat a dish containing alcohol during pregnancy?
04
Alcohol and pregnancy: what are the alternatives?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is harmful to the baby and can lead to various complications (growth delays, damage to the central nervous system, malformations…). According to data from the 2017 Health Barometer in France, 7% of pregnant women consumed alcohol during pregnancy. We explain why it should be avoided.

Take care mama

Alcohol and pregnancy are truly incompatible, even in small amounts.

Alcohol and pregnancy: zero tolerance

Why are alcohol and pregnancy incompatible?

To date, no amount of alcohol has been proven to be safe for the baby during pregnancy. The effects of alcohol on foetal development can vary considerably from one woman to another and from one pregnancy to another, making it impossible to determine a safe level of consumption.

Alcohol consumed by the mother passes rapidly into her bloodstream and crosses the placenta to reach the foetus. The foetus's metabolism is much slower than that of an adult, which means alcohol remains in its system for longer, exposing the foetus to its harmful effects for an extended period.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which is a range of physical, mental and behavioural impairments, including neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders, growth problems and facial abnormalities.

Alcohol can interfere with the normal development of the baby's brain, causing developmental delays, intellectual deficits, attention difficulties and behavioural disorders.

Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, including the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

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I drank alcohol without knowing I was pregnant — is that serious?

It depends on the stage of pregnancy and the amount of alcohol consumed. Remember to discuss it with the healthcare professional supporting you.

If you had an occasional drink (once or twice a week) during the first few weeks, this is unlikely to pose a significant risk to your baby.
However, regular alcohol consumption or drinking several glasses on the same occasion carries greater risks.

For expectant mothers who are struggling to stop drinking alcohol, support programmes and resources are available to help. Do not hesitate to reach out to professionals for assistance.

Speak to your GP, gynaecologist, or midwife, who will be able to advise you.
Visit the website www.alcool-info-service.fr.
You can call the Alcool info service helpline on 0 980 980 930 (free call, anonymous, available from 8am to 2am, 7 days a week — a team of professionals will be on hand to help you).

Can I eat a dish containing alcohol during pregnancy?

You can eat a dish that contains alcohol if it has been cooked, as the alcohol evaporates during cooking. However, if the alcohol is added after cooking, it is best to avoid it. You should also avoid dishes prepared with a strong spirit.

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Alcohol and pregnancy: what are the alternatives?

Many brands of wine, champagne and non-alcoholic spirits (such as JNPR) have emerged to offer a safe alternative for pregnant women. There is white wine, red wine, beer, and even strong spirits with a taste similar to gin, for example.

And afterwards, if you are breastfeeding, will you be able to consume a little alcohol? We answer all your questions in our article alcohol and breastfeeding.

Pregnancy food challenge

Our step-by-step advice for your diet during pregnancy

Alcohol and pregnancy: why you should not drink

Author

Pauline Benaroch

Dietitian nutritionist specialising in women's nutrition

Nutrition expert at Jolly Mama, Pauline Benaroch supports women from fertility through to the postpartum period with an approach grounded in science and enjoyment. Founder of the community @LesHealthyMamas (+10,000 members) and author of Je mange quoi pendant 9 mois (Larousse, 2024), she champions balanced and accessible nutrition for all women.