Free family guide · Healthy pregnancy

Alcohol, smoking and drugs during pregnancy

CDC says there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, no safe time to drink, and stopping at any point helps.[1]

Last reviewed: Next review: No outside ads and no affiliate links.

Sources on this page: CDC; NHS; ACOG; HRSA

This page shares what health organizations say. It is not medical advice. It is general information. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about your own situation.

In an emergency, call 911.

Alcohol

CDC says there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and no safe time to drink.[1] It says stopping at any point helps.[1]

The NHS says alcohol reaches the baby, and risks include miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.[2]

Smoking

CDC says smoking slows the baby's growth and raises the risk of preterm birth, bleeding, cleft lip and palate, and sudden infant death.[3]

CDC says the baby gets more oxygen within one day of quitting.[3]

ACOG says your partner should not smoke around you, because secondhand smoke is linked to sudden infant death.[4]

CDC lists the free quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), and in Spanish 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569).[3]

Cannabis and other drugs

ACOG advises stopping tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs and nonmedical use of prescription drugs before pregnancy.[4]

ACOG says not to stop prescription medicines without talking to your provider.[4]

Getting help

CDC lists the free quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), and in Spanish 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569).[3]

HRSA says the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 1-833-852-6262, takes calls and texts 24/7 in English and Spanish.[5]

Questions families ask

Is one drink OK in pregnancy?

CDC says there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.[1]

Is it too late to quit smoking?

CDC says the baby gets more oxygen within one day of quitting.[3]

Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages

Updated 2026-10-24: first published.

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.
  2. NHS (United Kingdom). 24 weeks pregnant guide. Checked October 24, 2026.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Tips From Former Smokers). Smoking, Pregnancy, and Babies. Checked October 24, 2026.
  4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Good Health Before Pregnancy: Prepregnancy Care. Checked October 24, 2026.
  5. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Checked October 24, 2026.