Risks of alcohol consumption related to conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding

Around 80% of women of child-bearing age in the Netherlands drink alcoholic beverages. Many women stop consuming alcohol as soon as they become pregnant, or even earlier if they wish to become pregnant. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 35–50% of the pregnant women in the Netherlands continue to consume alcohol. The percentage of non-pregnant Dutch women who drink ‘heavily’ ranges from 3% to 12%, depending on the age group concerned. Heavy drinkers consume an average of six or more standard drinks of an alcoholic beverage per day. Heavy drinkers are less inclined to stop drinking alcohol after discovering that they are pregnant than women whose alcohol consumption is lower.