Alcohol when TTC

[StaringAndSquinting]

I have read online that alcohol makes it harder to get pregnant- do any of you not drink at all because of TTC? I don't know how much it is supposed to affect fertility but really don't want to go teetotal just yet unless I have to. I don't drink a lot and don't drink on a day to day basis but maybe have a night out once a week when I may have about five drinks.

I have a few events coming up this month, a big night out and a wedding- would it be wise to go teetotal?

[Wolfiefan]

Five what? Five pints would be some serious binge drinking.

[StaringAndSquinting]

Probably a couple of cocktails and three vodka tonics. I probably have a night like that once every ten days.

[OneBiscuitAtATime]

I'd never heard that, but I became pregnant while doing dry January for charity after 4 months of trying.

[StaringAndSquinting]

That's interesting onebiscuit I have a night out on Saturday and then may go teetotal for a couple of months and see if it helps.

[DueOct30th]

My 3 conceptions would disagree with the being drunk makes it harder to conceive argument 🤣

[Gingerbreadmam]

i got pregnant drinking every wkend sometimes friday and saturday. none have ended well tho.

[beekeeper17]

From experience, TTC can quickly take over your life, and who knows how long it's going to take, so go out and enjoy yourself, life still goes on when you're TTC. I'm sure some people will tell you differently, but for me (and I'm sure a lot of others), I just carried on as normal and all worked out ok.

[aheffalump]

It won't do any harm but like PP says, don't let it take over your life. I doubt it'll make much of a difference.

[chopsticky]

I wouldn't bother unless you're having trouble conceiving already?

[Wolfiefan]

I personally wouldn't stop drinking completely. TTC can be a long journey. But I wouldn't binge. Two or three drinks a night would be enough for me. (Watch the cocktails as each one can have several shots in.)

[StaringAndSquinting]

Yes I don't want it to take over my life and you're right who knows how long it will take. I think I'll just be careful with how many when I go out and try and cut back by a couple of drinks.

[Sonnet18]

Wouldn't worry about it. If you want to drink then drink! I fell pregnant over my 30th bday weekend (many, many drinks were had) plus had a wedding and a best friend's 30th party...I am due on Friday.

I drank moderately when ttc first time round and my little girl is perfectly happy, healthy and normal.

Enjoy your drinks!

[kel1493]

I didn't. I carried on drinking as normal, as did my dh. We conceived in 4 months.
(Shock, I drank when I was pregnant as well. My baby is perfectly fine.)

[Spam88]

From what I read before TTC, there's no evidence that drinking reduces your chances of conceiving, but there is evidence it affects the success rates of ivf (which I think possibly indicates that there is an effect on conception but it hasn't been demonstrated in any studies). So I wouldn't be concerned about drinking at the moment, maybe look at it if you're having issues further down the line?

FWIW, I was just concerned about drinking after conception but before I knew I was pregnant, so I'd drink from when my period started until we next had sex and then not again until my next period.

[Spam88]

Obviously I don't mean I drank continuously, although that might have been fun.