Pregnant? Trying? Cut out alcohol

If you're thinking about getting pregnant, or are trying, we always say that you should act like you're actually pregnant when it comes to nutrition. This means eating a nutritious, whole food diet, ensuring you have enough key nutrients to support a healthy conception - and of course, cutting out alcohol.  

A study submitted in Pediatrics last month has highlighted the importance of the latter point. The research suggested that women who binge drink in the first trimester of their pregnancy have a fourfold increased risk of birth defects compared to those who don’t drink at all. Birth defects can occur in the first trimester which is when most women don’t even know they are pregnant; they may still think they are in the 'preconception' stage or the pregnancy may be unplanned.

Heavy drinking was defined as having more than five drinks on one occasion a week, or consuming more than 70 g of alcohol in a week. In Australia one standard drink is 10 g of alcohol or the equivalent to one standard glass of wine (100ml).

We all know the impact of binge drinking on a personal and community level, but in pregnancy it is especially harmful. Unfortunately most people are unaware of the risks.

Alcohol easily crosses the placenta and can greatly impact the baby’s development. The National Health and Medical Research Council states “there is no lower limit that can be guaranteed to be completely safe and so the safest thing is to stop drinking altogether while you are pregnant and while you are breast feeding”.

You can view the full study here.