Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Stopping drinking while trying to conceive?

38 replies

Paperclip34 · 15/09/2024 19:57

Hello! Just want to get a sense of what the norm is....did people stop drinking when trying to get pregnant? I will obviously stop when if I do, but do people stop when trying?

OP posts:
Sunshineclouds11 · 15/09/2024 19:58

No I didn't

Allswellthatendswelll · 15/09/2024 20:00

I sometimes drank a bit less after ovulation and I think in general I drank less overall as trying to be healthy.

However it took us 18 months this time and I had about 6 weddings in that time plus Christmas so definitely enjoyed a few drinks. Life has to go on!

Sprogonthetyne · 15/09/2024 20:02

I did. Stopped about a month before and didn't drink again until baby was about 6 months old (breastfeeding, so when they would reliably not want a feed for a while). I was however fortunate to fall pregnant first month, if it had taken a year or more I'm sure my pre-PFB enthusiasm would have worn off.

Businessflake · 15/09/2024 20:02

I made no effort to stop drinking whilst trying to conceive.

AlwaysKindaKnewYoudBeTheDeathOfMe · 15/09/2024 20:03

Nope

sel2223 · 15/09/2024 20:09

No, not on either occasion.

Superscientist · 15/09/2024 20:18

Nope, I tested with the first pregnancy to see if I could have a drink on my birthday. I was drinking a week earlier at my works Christmas party. With my second pregnancy I stopped the day my period was due. I was on holiday so couldn't test straight away.
I'm not a big drinker though. I would probably avoid heavy drinking but that's it.

Quaver9 · 15/09/2024 20:20

I’m not a big drinker but even at events I only have a few/nothing a lot of the time. My partner also cut down and we’ve cut down on caffeine too.

We’ve had two losses and moving to ivf soon so given the only thing we can control is our health we are trying to improve that to give us the best chance next time.

it’s completely up to you and depends on your circumstances!

teatoast8 · 15/09/2024 20:20

Nope

Kt1704 · 15/09/2024 20:27

No I didn’t. I was on holiday drinking every night. My period was due end of the holiday. I tested the day before my period as my boobs were so sore and was positive. stopped drinking then on holiday x

Sara1988 · 15/09/2024 20:28

Me and partner stopped drinking the first month we started trying and got pregnant straight the way. Did quiting help? We'll never know. But we were both big drinkers so were worried it would have affected our chances of conceiving.

We both agreed to stop until I became pregnant but to be honest I think we may have had a drink if it had taken months and months to conceive.

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 15/09/2024 20:34

I did.
My reasoning was that I suffered multiple miscarriages and for me, I needed to know that I did nothing to cause the losses.

I know that consuming alcohol won’t cause miscarriage, I know this for sure but I wasn’t thinking straight such was my desperation.

Also cut out caffeine for the same reason.

It was vital to me that I was as healthy and free of toxins as I could be.

Resulted in no alcohol and no caffeine for 7 years while ttc as that’s how long it took to finally have a successful pregnancy. Then breastfed for 3 years so no alcohol or caffeine then either.

I just don’t bother at all with either now.

teatoast8 · 15/09/2024 20:37

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 15/09/2024 20:34

I did.
My reasoning was that I suffered multiple miscarriages and for me, I needed to know that I did nothing to cause the losses.

I know that consuming alcohol won’t cause miscarriage, I know this for sure but I wasn’t thinking straight such was my desperation.

Also cut out caffeine for the same reason.

It was vital to me that I was as healthy and free of toxins as I could be.

Resulted in no alcohol and no caffeine for 7 years while ttc as that’s how long it took to finally have a successful pregnancy. Then breastfed for 3 years so no alcohol or caffeine then either.

I just don’t bother at all with either now.

I drink alcohol and caffeine whilst breastfeeding. Doesn't cause any issues

teatoast8 · 15/09/2024 20:37

Obviously don't drink now as pregnant

Olika · 15/09/2024 21:01

I reduced drinking when we started trying but it took us several years to fall pregnant so it was a mix of going out with my colleagues/friends and having few drinks and not having any alcohol after CD14. Towards the end before we finally got pregnant I would only drink a cider when my periods started and then nothing until next periods. Thought my periods had arrived and had a cider. Turned out I was pregnant.

malimoon · 15/09/2024 21:38

I never used to drink much anyway but probably tried to drink less during the two weeks between ovulation and then my period starting. Then I'd know I wasn't pregnant for the next couple of weeks anyway so could drink as normal until the next cycle. But I wouldn't stress about it too much!

Ponderingwindow · 15/09/2024 21:39

I only drank while menstruating

Rory17384949 · 15/09/2024 21:57

I didn't, but not a massive drinker anyway so I didn't think a glass of wine here and there would make a difference

Blue2020 · 15/09/2024 22:03

I had a glass of wine while on my period to cheer me up as something I couldn’t do if I was pregnant.

Betterthanitseems · 15/09/2024 22:08

I cut back to try Give my body the best chance. Mainly Just special occasions and even then drank less than I usually would have. Alcohol free beer etc is great in these instances

Quaver9 · 15/09/2024 22:16

Just to say, no one is saying alcohol or caffeine in moderation would cause a miscarriage or stop you getting pregnant but for anyone who has been TTC and met with a consultant, one of the first things they talk to you about is diet & lifestyle. It’s about improving the egg and sperm quality and your general health to give the best chance of a successful pregnancy. It starts with the egg is a good book if you wanted to look into things in abit more depth and start taking some vitamins etc.

m00ngirl · 15/09/2024 22:22

I did stop some months but took me ages to get pregnant so didn't keep it up, and actually got pregnant in a month when I was drinking... but think cutting down in general is good/helps. But being a bit relaxed helps too!

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 15/09/2024 22:25

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong for anyone to drink alcohol or caffeine at all, it was my grief stricken, desperate psychologically damaged brain telling me that I could possibly cause my losses. (7 in total).
Sometimes, it was all that got me through those dark dark days.

mondaytosunday · 15/09/2024 22:27

No but I didn't drink much then. I certainly drink more now I've had kids!

BurbageBrook · 15/09/2024 22:27

I did, not because I think alcohol before conception could do any harm (it can't) but because alcohol can disrupt oestrogen levels (it's why it can be a risk factor for breast cancer) so it stands to reason it can have a small effect on fertility. I wanted to do everything I could but then again I only had to try for five months. If it had been longer I would have had the occasional glass I think.