woman drinking a glass of wine

It can happen to anyone. Maybe you weren’t trying to get pregnant, but now you’ve missed a period and you can’t stop thinking about the drinks you and your partner enjoyed last weekend.

Maybe you already know that you’re pregnant, but a friend convinced you that it’s ok to have a glass of wine early in pregnancy. Whatever the case may be, you may be concerned about the damage that drinking during pregnancy can cause.

We understand how scary a moment like this can be, but you don’t have to sit in uncertainty.  Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic is here to answer all of your questions, all without judgment! Today, we’re exploring what can happen if you drink early in and during pregnancy. 

Can Alcohol Affect a Pregnancy Test?

If you’re experiencing pregnancy symptoms, the first step is to take a pregnancy test. But, what if you’ve been drinking recently? Could the alcohol in your system affect your results?

The short answer is no—alcohol itself doesn’t affect pregnancy test results. However, alcohol can cause dehydration, which makes you want to drink more water. Excess water can dilute your urine, making it difficult for the pregnancy test to detect your hCG levels[1], which could yield an inaccurate result. If you’ve been drinking recently, you may want to allow your fluid intake to return to normal before taking a pregnancy test so you can get accurate results.

Don’t want to take this first step alone? Consider visiting Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic! We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds so that you can confirm your pregnancy in a confidential, compassionate environment. 

What if I Drank a Little Before I Knew I Was Pregnant?

The good news is that drinking a little in early pregnancy doesn’t usually cause harm[2]. However, it’s crucial to stop drinking immediately once you confirm the pregnancy. The sooner you stop drinking, the healthier your baby will be[3]! Be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor and attend regular prenatal checkups to monitor the health and development of your pregnancy. 

How Much Alcohol Can You Drink While Pregnant? 

Although a little drinking early in pregnancy isn’t usually a major concern, continuing to drink will almost certainly cause alcohol-related problems to develop later on.

There’s no “safe amount” of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Even if you don’t drink often, drinking a lot in one sitting can be very dangerous[3]. Additionally, there’s no “safe kind” of alcohol to drink during pregnancy—this includes wine, beer, and mixed drinks[4]. 

Alcohol seems to be the most dangerous during the first three months of pregnancy, but drinking at any point during pregnancy is still very risky[3]. The best thing to do is to avoid alcohol entirely for the rest of your pregnancy!

How Much Alcohol Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Can Drinking Alcohol Cause a Miscarriage? 

Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences. For example, drinking heavily (having more than 2 drinks a day) increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome[3]. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage[3]. 

These conditions are totally preventable if a baby isn’t exposed to alcohol in the womb. If you want to maintain a healthy pregnancy but can’t stop drinking, there are ways to get help! Contact your doctor or local alcohol treatment center to get started.

Can I Drink if I’m Planning on Getting an Abortion?

You should still avoid alcohol even if you’re considering abortion. Alcohol thins the blood, which can interfere with your body’s ability to clot and control bleeding[5]. Drinking before or after an abortion increases the risk of excessive bleeding[5], which would require emergency treatment.

We also encourage you to explore all of your pregnancy options and receive an ultrasound before an abortion. This will help you to make the most informed decision for your health and future! 

Free Pregnancy Services in St. Cloud, MN

We get it—an unplanned pregnancy can be stressful enough without the fear that something has already gone wrong. You aren’t in this alone. Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic provides free pregnancy services so that you can get the care and support you deserve! 

Don’t wait to get the care you deserve! Call us at (320) 253-1962, text us at (320) 434-1772, or schedule your appointment today. 

Please be aware that Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services. 

Sources

1. Common foods and drinks: What can affect a pregnancy test result? Clearblue. (2022, September 29). Retrieved from https://www.clearblue.com/pregnancy-tests/what-can-affect-a-pregnancy-test-result#  
2. Alcohol and Women. ACOG | American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021, December). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/alcohol-and-women  
3.  U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022, January 10). Alcohol and pregnancy. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007454.htm  
4. Alcohol and Pregnancy Questions and Answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 14). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/faqs.html 
5. Ballard, H. S. (1997). The Hematological Complications of Alcoholism. Alcohol Health and Research World. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826798/#