Tag: alcohol-free drinks trying to conceive

The safest approach is to stop drinking before you start trying to conceive. If you have a partner, it helps if they cut down around three months before you start trying, because that’s roughly how long sperm takes to develop. Knowing when to stop is one thing. Actually doing it can be harder. This guide gives you a clear timeline, practical ways to cut down, and help with one of the trickiest parts: what to say when people ask why you’re not drinking. Quick facts When should you and your partner stop drinking when trying to conceive ? If you’re the one trying to get pregnant, stop drinking from the point you start trying. The NHS advises that the safest approach when planning a pregnancy is not to drink at all. That’s because you could be pregnant for several weeks before you know it, and there’s no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. If you drink regularly, start cutting down a few months before you begin trying. Going from drinking most days to to suddenly stopping overnight can be hard. A gradual approach makes it more likely to stick, and gives your body and cycle time to settle. If you’re trying with a male partner, they should cut down around three months before you start trying. Sperm take roughly three months to develop, so the changes they make now affect the sperm they’ll produce when you’re trying. They don’t need to stop completely, but staying well within the UK low-risk guidelines (14 units a week) and avoiding heavy drinking helps. Research has found sperm quality starts to decline with regular drinking. For the full evidence on how alcohol affects your chances of conceiving, ovulation and sperm, read our guide to alcohol and fertility. A timeline for going alcohol-free Three months before you start trying One month before you start trying When you start trying Once you’re pregnant Can you drink alcohol when trying to conceive ? Most people don’t find out they’re pregnant until they’ve missed a period, around four weeks into pregnancy, and often later. Alcohol passes through the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream, and there’s no known safe amount during pregnancy. That’s why UK guidance recommends not drinking at all while you’re trying. The risk of harm depends on how much you drink, how often, and the stage of pregnancy. It’s highest with regular heavy drinking or binge drinking. Drinking alcohol in pregnancy has been found to increase the risk of pregnancy complications like risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and your baby having a low birth weight. It can also cause your baby to have a serious life-long health condition, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which causes a range of lifelong conditions that affect a child’s learning, behaviour and physical development. Not every baby exposed to alcohol will be affected. The risk is likely to be low if you had small amounts before you knew you were pregnant. But experts can’t say how much alcohol is safe, so the safest choice is to avoid it completely. Alcohol may also affect conception itself. Getting pregnant involves several steps happening at the right time: releasing an egg, fertilisation and implantation. One study found that moderate-to-heavy drinking in the second half of the cycle, after ovulation, was linked with a lower chance of conceiving. This is the stage when implantation would normally take place)  The evidence on light drinking is less clear, but there’s no known safe amount while you’re trying. For the full evidence, read our guide to alcohol and fertility. What if you drink regularly or heavily while trying to get pregnant? If you drink most days, or more than the UK recommended guideline of 14 units a week, give yourself more time. Starting to cut down three to six months before trying makes the change more manageable. The NHS explains how many units are in different drinks. If you drink heavily or feel you depend on alcohol, don’t stop suddenly. If you get symptoms such as shaking, sweating, anxiety or feeling sick when you haven’t had a drink, stopping abruptly can be dangerous. Speak to your GP first. They can help you cut down safely and put you in touch with free, confidential support. GPs are there to support you, not judge you, so try to be open about how much you drink. You’ll also find a list of organisations that can help at the bottom of this page. It’s also worth being honest with yourself about why you drink. If alcohol is how you unwind or cope with stress, including the stress of trying to conceive, having another way to manage those feelings will make stopping much easier. Tips to stop drinking when trying to get pregnant If drinking is how you usually relax, socialise or celebrate, cutting it out can feel like a big change. It’s easier if a partner or friend does it with you. And remember, it doesn’t have to be forever. Start gradually if you need to. You don’t have to go from your usual amount to zero overnight. Try having more alcohol-free days each week, switching to smaller measures or alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks. Clear alcohol out of your home. Replace it with alcohol-free drinks you genuinely enjoy, such as kombucha, sparkling water with fresh fruit, or lightly flavoured soda water. Lowersugar options are best for your health. Find alcohol-free versions of your usual drink. There’s now a huge range of alcohol-free beers, wines and spirits in supermarkets, and they can give you a similar taste. In bars and restaurants, try a mocktail such as a virgin mojito or a virgin Mary. Know your triggers. Notice the feelings and situations that make you want a drink. If you drink when you’re stressed, try another way to unwind, such as going for a walk, having a bath or calling a friend. Do it together. It’s much easier if your partner, a friend or a family member cuts down with you. […]