Alcohol Use

There is no safe amount or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, it's best to stop drinking alcohol now because even moderate amounts of alcohol can negatively affect female and male fertility. Women who find it hard to stop drinking, or who already have a child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), should get help before getting pregnant. If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you may need to consider changing your alcohol consumption patterns.

Even from the very start of your pregnancy, excess alcohol consumption and binge drinking (4 or more drinks on one occasion) can have serious and permanent consequences for your baby, including preterm labour, problems with your placenta, or your baby's growth during pregnancy. Learn more about how to adjust your drinking habits, helpline information, and the possible consequences of alcohol use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding from the links below.

• Best Start by Health Nexus - Mixing alcohol and breastfeeding
• Best Start by Health Nexus - Having an alcohol-free pregnancy: FAQs 
• Best Start by Health Nexus - Mocktails recipe cards for mom
• Middlesex-London Health Unit - Understanding Canada's low-risk drinking guidelines
• Pregnancy Info - Substance use in pregnancy