It is generally advised that pregnant women should avoid drinking red wine or any other type of alcohol entirely during pregnancy. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption when pregnant, as even small amounts can pass through the placenta and affect the developing baby, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can cause lifelong physical, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities. Health organizations such as the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all recommend complete abstinence from alcohol throughout pregnancy to ensure the safety and health of the baby.
Risks of Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
- Alcohol passes through the placenta to the fetus, exposing the baby to the same amount as the mother consumes.
- Consumption can lead to FASDs, which include developmental disabilities, abnormal facial features, cognitive impairments, and organ problems.
- There is no established safe dosage or timing for alcohol intake during pregnancy; even moderate or occasional consumption may pose risks.
- The safest choice is to abstain from alcohol entirely to protect fetal development.
Expert Consensus
- Medical experts emphasize that no amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women.
- Variability in individual metabolism and genetics means what might be "safe" for one woman could be harmful to another.
- Some research shows that even a single drink might disrupt critical brain development processes in the fetus.
- Professional guidance is to avoid alcohol as soon as pregnancy is suspected or planned.
In summary, drinking red wine while pregnant is not safe, and the best practice is to abstain from alcohol of any kind throughout the pregnancy to protect the health and development of the baby.
