Pregnancy and alcohol: why ‘just one drink’ is not without risk

World Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day, observed every September 9, highlights a simple yet often downplayed message: no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy. Whether it’s wine, beer, cocktails, or local spirits like sodabi, the principle remains the same, as it is the alcohol itself that can reach the fetus.

The CDC emphasizes that there is no period considered risk-free, nor any type of alcohol deemed safer than another during pregnancy. Exposure can be linked to complications such as miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth, and can also lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which affect physical, behavioral, or intellectual development.

This reminder should not become a source of guilt for those who drank before realizing they were pregnant. The recommendations are primarily practical: stop drinking as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, continue prenatal care, and discuss any concerns about past consumption with a doctor or midwife if stopping proves difficult.

In Benin and elsewhere, the challenge is often social: a drink offered at a party, a family meal, a wedding, or a night out with friends. Planning for a non-alcoholic beverage that one enjoys, discreetly informing close friends, or asking a partner for support can make the situation much easier.

Why the ‘small drink’ remains a risk zone

The issue is not that a small drink automatically causes complications. It is that no consumption threshold has been established as completely safe for fetal development. Health authorities therefore apply a precautionary principle: during pregnancy, the most protective choice remains to abstain from alcohol.

Alcohol crosses the placenta, and the fetus eliminates it less effectively than an adult. The brain develops throughout pregnancy, which is why recommendations extend beyond the first three months. The World Health Organization also notes that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can be associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and complications related to premature birth.

Another misconception to dispel: wine or beer do not become safer simply because they contain less alcohol than spirits. What matters is the presence of alcohol. Cocktails, liqueurs, and homemade alcoholic beverages fall under the same preventive logic.

Did you drink before knowing you were pregnant?

Discovering a pregnancy after a few weeks can raise many questions. The CDC states that it is never too late to stop drinking during pregnancy. The French Health Insurance also advises discussing this during medical follow-ups rather than dealing with concerns alone.

The right reflex is not to seek personalized risk estimates on social media based on the number of drinks, a date, or a type of beverage. Only a professional familiar with the context of the pregnancy can provide useful answers to individual questions and, if necessary, arrange appropriate follow-up care.

Making alcohol-free living easier on a daily basis

For many women, the hardest part is not understanding the recommendation but adhering to it during social gatherings. Sparkling water with lemon, lightly sweetened juice, iced herbal tea, a non-alcoholic cocktail, or simply a favorite drink served in a nice glass can help avoid feelings of exclusion.

Support from those around plays a role as well. Health Insurance recommends that partners and close friends refrain from encouraging a pregnant woman to drink, even occasionally. In practice, this can be as simple as providing non-alcoholic alternatives at the table, not insisting when a drink is declined, and respecting the decision without asking for explanations.

If stopping alcohol is difficult, it is not a matter of willpower to handle alone. Health recommendations encourage discussing it promptly with a doctor, midwife, or another healthcare professional to receive appropriate support. The CDC reminds us that stopping at any point during pregnancy is beneficial and that prenatal care should continue as normal.