Can I Drink While Trying to Get Pregnant?

It’s no secret that big boozing can affect your fertility. Research has shown that regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycles, and even sperm health in men. But while heavy drinking is linked to reduced chances of conceiving, what about light or moderate drinking?

Well, a study published in Human Reproduction (Oxford University Press) in 2021 was the first of its kind to explore how alcohol consumption affects fertility at different stages of the menstrual cycle. As expected, the research revealed a significant link between heavy drinking and reduced chances of conception across the entire menstrual cycle. However, the impact of light to moderate drinking was more nuanced. 

The study showed that drinking moderately – about 3 to 6 drinks per week – during the luteal phase (the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation) was associated with a 44% decrease in the likelihood of conception compared to non-drinkers.

Interestingly, during the follicular phase (the first half of the cycle before ovulation), only heavy drinking was linked to a lower chance of conception. Moderate and light drinking during this phase didn’t seem to affect fertility compared to those who abstained.

So, what does this mean for someone trying to conceive? If you’re in the first half of your cycle, having a glass of wine with dinner may not drastically impact your chances of getting pregnant. However, during the second half of your cycle – after ovulation – it may be wise to avoid alcohol altogether to maximise the likelihood of conceiving. Just keep in mind that everyone’s cycle is different, and ovulation timing can vary widely, so it’s important to stay in tune with your own body’s rhythm.

In a nutshell, the key issue isn’t necessarily alcohol consumption before pregnancy, but rather during pregnancy – especially throughout the first trimester, when the embryo is rapidly developing. Drinking alcohol in any amount once you know you’re pregnant can increase the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome, miscarriage, and developmental issues in your baby.

Let’s face it, pregnancy doesn’t come with a giant neon sign the moment it happens! Because of this, it’s not uncommon to enjoy a drink or two in the two-week wait before realising you’re pregnant. And here’s the reassuring news: the majority of women who have had a glass of wine (or more) during these early days go on to have healthy, successful pregnancies.

Occasional drinking before you find out you’re pregnant is recognised as common and unlikely to cause harm to your baby, especially before the embryo implants in the uterus (which usually happens between six and ten days after ovulation). The placenta, which is responsible for passing nutrients (and alcohol) from the mother to the baby, doesn’t form until after this time.

In her book Expecting Better, first published in 2013, Emily Oster brought this idea into the mainstream. Her refreshing approach helped many women to breathe a little easier, suggesting that some of the warnings around pregnancy and alcohol could use a bit of nuance. Oster doubled down on this stance when she updated the book in 2021, standing by her review of the research.

“It’s the one section of Expecting Better that I’ve carefully revisited every time I revise the book,” Emily writes in her newsletter ParentData by Emily. “This is a hard question to answer because of many underlying differences between women who drink in pregnancy and those who do not, but when we isolate papers that do a better job for controlling for these differences, we do not see evidence of negative impacts of occasional alcohol consumption”. 

Most doctors agree that there’s no need to panic if you’ve had a few drinks before realising you were pregnant. In fact, as long as you aren’t binge drinking, your baby is unlikely to be affected during those early days of cell division. Of course, once you find out, removing alcohol from your diet is recommended to protect your baby’s health.

So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re actively trying to get pregnant, limiting alcohol is good practice – but it doesn’t mean you need to live like a monk! It’s about moderation, and monitoring your cycle. A drink here or there before your ovulation window isn’t likely to prevent conception or harm your future pregnancy.

If you do decide to enjoy a drink while trying to conceive, you could consider choosing lower-alcohol beverages, or spacing out drinks, just for peace of mind. After all, maintaining a balanced lifestyle with good nutrition, stress management, and exercise is far more beneficial to your fertility than cutting out alcohol completely.

Ultimately, the decision to drink or not while trying to conceive is personal. Some women feel more comfortable avoiding alcohol altogether, while others choose to enjoy a drink in moderation until they find out they’re expecting. Either approach is valid.

The key is being informed about the potential risks and benefits, without succumbing to unnecessary fear. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you suspect you’re pregnant, it’s wise to avoid alcohol until you can confirm one way or another.
• Binge drinking (four or more drinks in one sitting) should always be a no-go, whether you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. It’s associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and foetal alcohol disorders.
• Don’t panic about having had a few drinks before you knew you were pregnant – the risk of serious harm is low, especially early on.

Navigating the sea of advice about alcohol and pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but it’s all about balance. If you’re trying to conceive, it’s perfectly okay to enjoy a drink every now and then, as long as you’re mindful of your body and your overall health. And one or two drinks before you know you’re pregnant won’t derail your plans for a healthy pregnancy. 

Above all, now is a good time to start practising a little self-forgiveness! The most important thing you can do while trying to have a baby is taking care of yourself and making decisions that feel right for you. As lead researcher Kira Taylor said herself as a caveat to her menstrual cycle study, ‘alcohol is not birth control”! 

And if you find yourself questioning your choices at any stage, be sure to consult your midwife or doctor, who will be able to provide advice tailored to your personal circumstances.