A man’s alcohol consumption and drinking habits affect not only their sperm health and quality, but studies have identified links to brain and neurological impairment in babies whose father consumed alcohol before conception.[1]
In my book, I dedicate the first chapter to men’s role in making a baby and explain the importance of proper preparation before trying to conceive. One of the main reasons is to ensure that sperm needed to fertilise the woman’s egg are of the utmost quality.
Sperm take between 74 and 90 days to make and everything the man is exposed during this period will impact sperm quality. This includes environmental toxins and also alcohol. The pre-conceptional period is thus increasingly recognized as a highly sensitive window.[2] Therefore, a pre-conception preparation period of an absolute minimum of 3 months, preferably 6 months, is recommended.
A recent Shanghai study examined the associations between paternal alcohol consumption during the last 3 months before conception and the risk of child behavioral problems at 2, 4, and 6 years of age.[3]
This study revealed evidence that paternal alcohol consumption during the last 3 months before conception may increase the risk of child behavioral problems.
Children born to fathers who drank alcohol before conception displayed higher incidence of experiencing behavioral problems including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, aggressive behaviour, emotional reactivity and internalising problems.
Another study found that if fathers drank alcohol before conception, foetal growth appeared to be impacted.[4]
Preparation is the key
Men tend to underestimate their role in producing healthy babies. However, with more research we are better understanding the mechanisms involved and the main link between male fertility and future health of their children is the quality of sperm.
Please remember that you are creating a new life. Everything you do, consume and are exposed to during the 3-6 months prior to conception will affect your baby for the rest of its life.
How to Have a Healthy Baby provides all the explanations and tips to help you father a healthy child.
[1] Finegersh, A., Rompala, G. R., Martin, D. I. & Homanics, G. E. Drinking beyond a lifetime: New and emerging insights into paternal alcohol exposure on subsequent generations. Alcohol 49, 461–470.
[2] Toivonen, K. I., Oinonen, K. A. & Duchene, K. M. Preconception health behaviours: A scoping review. Prev. Med. 96, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.11.022 (2017).
[3] Luan, M., Zhang, X., Fang, G. et al. Preconceptional paternal alcohol consumption and the risk of child behavioral problems: a prospective cohort study. Sci Rep 12, 1508 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05611-2
[4] Periconceptional maternal and paternal alcohol consumption and embryonic and fetal development: the Rotterdam periconception cohort van der Windt, M. et al.Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Volume 49, Issue 5, 104351
