More than 1 in 7 pregnant women in the U.S. reported recent alcohol use.
Context
Despite public perception that small amounts of alcohol may be harmless during pregnancy, evidence has long supported complete abstinence (). To estimate recent prevalence of drinking during pregnancy, CDC researchers used 2021–2024 survey data from ≈8500 pregnant women in the U.S. They asked respondents to report drinking habits within the past 30 days, including any current drinking (at least 1 drink), binge drinking (≥4 alcoholic drinks on 1 occasion), and heavy drinking (≥8 drinks in 1 week).
Key Findings
- 15% reported current alcohol consumption, 5% binge drinking, and 2% heavy drinking.
- Among current drinkers, 33% reported binge drinking and 15% heavy drinking.
- Unmarried women were twice as likely to report current drinking — a difference that authors postulate reflects social support rather than marital status itself.
- Women who reported frequent mental distress were twice as likely to report current drinking and three times as likely to report heavy drinking.
Comment
Patients are sometimes surprised to learn that no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy. It’s a conversation worth having early and without judgment: If you’re pregnant or think you might be, the safest choice is none. What strikes me is who is drinking — women under stress, or without much support. It’s a reminder that this conversation cannot be one-size-fits-all; some patients may need behavioral health support or connection to other available services. The practical first step is to make alcohol screening routine at every prenatal visit.