HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Alcohol, smoking & drugs in pregnancy
Te waipiro, te momi hikareti me ngā pūroi i te hapūtanga
If you are pregnant, may be pregnant or trying to get pregnant, stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Smoking and pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy affects your pēpi (baby) and can cause health problems, such as:
- a risk of losing your pēpi (miscarriage or stillbirth)
- a low birth weight that could be harmful
- an increased risk of pneumonia, asthma or glue ear as an infant
- an increased risk of your pēpi dying suddenly in their sleep after birth.
It is never too late to quit for your pēpi. There are phone, web, text and face-to-face services to help you to quit smoking.
You can call Quitline on 0800-778-778.
Drinking and pregnancy
Stop drinking alcohol if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or trying to get pregnant. All alcohol is carried in your blood through the whenua (placenta) to your pēpi. There is no known safe level of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Even small amounts of alcohol can harm your pēpi.
Complications from alcohol
Drinking alcohol in pregnancy will increase the risk that your pēpi will have lifelong problems. There is a risk that:
- they will not grow properly
- their brain will be damaged
- they will have ongoing behaviour and development challenges.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Sometimes, pēpi will be born with an intellectual disability or an unusual face. But most pēpi affected by alcohol will not have these features.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the term used by healthcare providers to describe the range of problems that can occur. The more you drink, the greater the risk your pēpi will have these kinds of severe and lifelong problems.
If you choose to drink while breastfeeding
Breast milk continues to have alcohol in it as long as alcohol is still in your bloodstream.
Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding parents. Generally, moderate alcohol consumption by the breastfeeding parent (up to 1 standard drink each day) is not known to be harmful to your pēpi. This is especially so if you wait at least 2 hours after drinking before breastfeeding.
Exposure to alcohol above moderate levels through breast milk could be damaging to your baby's:
- development
- growth
- sleep patterns.
Drinking alcohol above moderate levels may also impair your judgement and ability to care for your pēpi.
Drinking alcohol is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. But it is safest for your pēpi to always be cared for by a sober parent.
If you do drink alcohol while breastfeeding, it is recommended that you wait at least 2 hours before breastfeeding for each standard drink. This is because your alcohol level takes time to drop. For example, if you have 2 standard drinks, you should wait 4 hours to breastfeed.
You might choose to express your milk, and discard it after drinking alcohol (pump and dump) to ease any physical discomfort.
If you cannot stop drinking
If you cannot stop drinking or are worried about the amount you are drinking, get help. Talk to your midwife, healthcare provider or nurse. They will be able to refer you to a local service for help and support.
Drugs and pregnancy
Recreational drugs like cannabis can cause problems for you and your pēpi, such as:
- you may have a miscarriage
- your pēpi may be born too early
- your pēpi may have a dangerously low birth weight.
Drugs such as methamphetamine can cause significant harm to your pēpi. This includes brain damage and birth defects.
Other drugs, such as heroin, may cause your pēpi to be born dependent on drugs and suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Pēpi who are born dependent on drugs need expert care if they are to survive.
The use of more than 1 drug, including alcohol and tobacco, will increase the risks to you and your pēpi.
If you are using drugs
Talk to your midwife, healthcare provider, or nurse. They will be able to refer you to a local service for help and support.
Help and support
The Alcohol Drug Helpline is also available for free, confidential information, help and support. It is available 24 hours a day. Call 0800-787-797 or txt: 8681.
You can also find support services in Alcohol & drug addiction.
Adapted from Health Information and Services. Last reviewed November 2024.
Sources
Review key: HIPRC-41255
