Alcohol
- No time during pregnancy is safe to drink alcohol, and harm can occur early, before a woman even realises she is pregnant.
- Alcohol use can reduce fertility in both men and women.
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects can be prevented if women cease intake of alcohol before conception.
- Alcohol use can also contribute to developmental delays and behavioural problems in children.
- Drinking alcohol has been shown to increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage.
- Heavy drinking (more than 6 units per day) or binge drinking (5 or more units on one occasion) during the first trimester is particularly harmful to the development and life chances of a fetus.
- Referral to specialist drugs and alcohol services should be offered.