Newsletter - August 9, 2025

A Clearer Message on Alcohol and Pregnancy Planning:
Why Zero is Best

Hi everyone,

If you’re taking the time to read What to Expect Before You’re Expecting, chances are you’re thinking ahead and doing everything you can to give your future baby the best possible start. And that matters—a lot.

One area where we still need clearer guidance and fewer mixed messages is around alcohol. There’s often confusion, permissive language, or outdated ideas that suggest a little alcohol here and there is okay. The book states on page 18 that “There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to drinking alcohol while in the TTC (trying to conceive) stage”.  I guess there are no ‘rules’ per se, but there definitely is evidence that tells us clearly that pre-conception health and alcohol consumption matters.  

The truth is: there is no known safe time, type, or amount of alcohol at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even small amounts of alcohol—especially in those early weeks before a pregnancy is confirmed—can affect how a baby’s brain and body develop.

🌿 Why the Early Weeks Matter?

In the first few weeks of pregnancy, even before a missed period, important things are already happening—placental formation, nutrient delivery systems, and neural pathways are all starting to take shape. Alcohol exposure during this time can interfere with these essential processes in ways we may not even see right away, but which can have lasting impacts on emotional, behavioural, and learning outcomes.

That’s why experts across Canada and globally recommend going alcohol-free for at least three months before trying to conceive—not just after.

🌿 Dads Matter Too

We’re learning more every year about the role both parents play in healthy pregnancies. Research now shows that alcohol use by the biological father at the time of conception can influence gene expression, sperm health, and even early embryo development. It has been linked to reduced fertility, a higher likelihood of developmental challenges in children, and even changes in how children process and seek out alcohol later in life.

This isn’t about shame or blame—it’s about making sure everyone has the information they need to make thoughtful, empowered choices.

🌿 Let's Take the Worry Off the Table

Sometimes when the message is permissive—“a little bit might be okay”—people take that risk, assume that the medical world is being overly cautious, but then worry about it later.

That’s not fair to anyone. Instead, we can give clear, kind, and accurate information up front: alcohol-free is the safest choice. Not only are alcohol-free beverages delicious and more widely available than ever, they’re also a small but powerful way to protect the lifelong well-being of the child you’re hoping to bring into the world.

We’re building a little body and brain. There’s no greater responsibility, and every step we take matters. We know that not every baby exposed to alcohol during the pregnancy will have obvious struggles or a diagnosis of any kind, but why take a chance and do anything at all that may interfere with the baby’s potential?

For a deeper look into the lifelong impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure—especially when it happens early or goes unrecognized—check out A Complicated and Beautiful Brain by Angela Geddes. This resource gently explores the emotional, learning, and behavioural symptoms that can show up later in life, even when prenatal exposure was brief or unintentional.

Together, we’re building a world where complicated and beautiful brains are better understood, supported, and celebrated.

Warmly,
Angela, and our team.