Pregnancy and alcohol

The safest approach is not to drink at all while you’re expecting.

Experts are still unsure exactly how much – if any – alcohol is safe for you to have while you’re pregnant.

Alcohol and your baby

When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your baby. A baby’s liver is one of the last organs to fully develop and doesn’t mature until the later stages of pregnancy. So, if your baby is exposed to too much alcohol it can seriously affect their development.

Drinking alcohol when pregnant is potentially most harmful for your baby in the first three months. This is when it is linked to miscarriage and birth abnormalities.

Local support

If you have difficulty cutting down what you drink when pregnant, talk to your midwife, doctor or pharmacist.

You can also visit the Greenwich Community Directory, or use our online tool to find out about confidential help and support available in the borough.

For more information about alcohol and pregnancy, please visit the NHS Choices website.