Alcohol & Drugs During Pregnancy • Back to Main Page No one knows how much alcohol will put your baby at risk. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which can result in mental and physical problems for the baby. Alcohol consumed in the early weeks of pregnancy, before a woman knows she is pregnant, can harm the baby. No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during any stage of pregnancy. The safest choice is to stop drinking before you try to get pregnant.  Other drugs taken during pregnancy can also harm the baby. Talk with your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you use, even if they are herbal supplements. Find out if these medications can be continued during pregnancy. Contact a local addictions agency if you need help to stop using drugs or alcohol. Motherisk offers information and counselling to pregnant and breastfeeding women, their families, and their health care providers. They are the experts on the effects of alcohol, drugs and other substances on the developing baby. An advantage of planning a pregnancy is that you can avoid any alcohol or other drugs while you are trying to conceive. That way your baby will not be exposed to harm during the pregnancy. Reference: Parent & Community Handbook – PAD www.dancesafe.org - What is Alcohol Alcohol & Pregnancy Do Not Mix: FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Coalition of Leeds, Grenville & Lanark  To the top