18 Jan 2013

Four reasons to febfast for fertility

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February is the month of FebFast- when we take a break from alcohol and raise much needed funds for vulnerable families and young adults tackling serious alcohol and drug issues. And for any woman thinking about conceiving this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to prepare your body for pregnancy. Naturopath Stephanie Hamilton lists the top four reasons why a break from the booze may be good for fertility and the health of mum and bub.

Pregnancy and preconception

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1. Women’s fertility and hormonal health
Alcohol has been linked with infertility in a number of studies. As alcohol intake increases, the chance of conceiving decreases even among women drinking five or fewer drinks per week.

Alcohol has been shown to cause a rise in oestrogen which may lead to a reduction in FSH secretion which may affect ovulation, reducing a woman’s chance of conception. Alcohol may also have direct negative effects on the female egg and in early pregnancy alcohol may negatively affect blastocyst development and implantation.

Women with high or frequent alcohol intake have been found to have higher rates of menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmennorrhea (painful periods) and irregular periods.

2. Pregnancy complications
Alcohol in high doses is a known teratogen (a substance that can be harmful to the foetus), and a high intake of alcohol has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and pre-term deliveries.

Drinking during the first trimester, especially before knowledge that conception has occurred, is especially risky as it is at this very early stage when the nervous system and the brain are forming. Therefore avoiding alcohol if there is any chance of conception will result in better outcomes for you and your baby.

3. Infant health
Alcohol readily crosses the placenta and enters the foetal bloodstream and may affect the foetus directly. As a toxin to the developing foetus, alcohol is known to cause many negative effects, collectively termed foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

At the most severe end of the spectrum, heavy drinking during pregnancy is known to cause fetal alcohol syndrome which is characterised by growth retardation, distinct facial appearance and brain damage of the baby. However even low to moderate drinking can affect the development of the foetus, especially of the baby’s brain, increasing the risk of developmental delays and behavioural problems and may put the child at risk of developing learning difficulties and psychiatric disorders as they grow older .

Many other body systems are affected by alcohol exposure whilst in the womb, including the cardiovascular system. One study showed moderate exposure to alcohol during pregnancy was associated with lower sperm concentration in sons tested at 18-21 years of age.

4. Breastfeeding
Alcohol moves freely from blood to breast milk and will be present in the milk 30-60 mins after you start drinking. Milk flow and supply may be affected when drinking frequently and of course the baby will also be affected. Research shows that infant behaviour, for example feeding and sleep-wake patterns are disturbed as well as affecting psychomotor development in babies fed milk from mothers who drink 2 standard drinks or more per day.

References available on request

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