Can you drink during egg freezing?

Why do we tell women not to drink alcohol in pregnancy?

In pregnancy, or when trying to conceive, experts tell women to completely avoid alcohol.

Alcohol gets into our bloodstream quickly and is a molecule that can readily cross the placenta and reach the baby’s developing brain. Alcohol can act as a neurotxin (nerve toxin) for babies, causing teratogenecity (birth defects in babies) including brain abnormalities and intellectual disability.

Eggs on the other hand are less sensative. As we make all out eggs before birth, the fact is that all your eggs have experienced every alcoholic beverage that you have.

It is not necessary to tee-total during an egg freezing cycle. However, I recommend that you minimise alcohol intake during this time to 1-2 standard drinks per week.

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Written by Dr Raelia Lew

RANZCOG Board Certified CREI Fertility specialist, Gynaecologist and the Director of Women’s Health Melbourne. 

Co-host of the Knocked Up Podcast, Co-founder of Lovers intimate wellness solutions. Raelia has a PhD in Preconception Health Promotion and Genetic Screening.  Raelia is a leading Australian expert in IVF and egg freezing, pioneering a bespoke model of care.