Impact of Alcohol During Pregnancy

Understanding why prenatal exposure occurs is important — and it's rarely simple. Common reasons include:

  • Not knowing they are pregnant (most people don't know for at least 6 weeks)

  • Unplanned pregnancy (nearly half of all pregnancies)

  • Misinformation or conflicting advice from healthcare providers

  • Substance use disorders or addiction

  • Mental or physical health conditions

  • Cultural norms and differences

  • Limited access to prenatal care

There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy — and no safe time to drink throughout pregnancy. All types of alcohol carry a risk to fetal development.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and needs support with alcohol use, help is available — without judgment.

Call IHR – Institute for Health and Recovery: 617.661.3991

For more information, visit FASD United.

Get Support