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Is Alcohol safe in pregnancy?
Best avoided
No — the safest approach in pregnancy is no alcohol.
What the evidence says
UK Chief Medical Officers advise that the safest approach during pregnancy is to not drink alcohol at all, to keep any risk to the baby to a minimum. There is no known safe level.
Why this matters
Alcohol passes to the baby through the placenta and can affect brain development and growth, particularly in the first trimester. Risk is dose-related but no threshold has been proven safe.
Source:UK Chief Medical Officers, NHS guidance
Last reviewed:April 2026
Please note — This is general guidance based on NHS advice as of April 2026. It is not medical advice. For advice on your specific pregnancy, please speak to your midwife or GP.
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