To have had one small glass of champagne last night (26w pregnant)

[bluemoon2468]

Basically, what I'm trying to establish is how many mums can actually say they didn't have a sip of alcohol during their entire pregnancy?

Last night I celebrated a friend's birthday with a very small glass of champagne, just less than half of a standard size champagne flute. This was my first drink since a couple of weeks before I conceived, aside from a few very occasional sips of other people's drinks here and there (e.g. tasting a cocktail DH made a few weeks ago with a small sip). I have no particular plans to drink again whilst pregnant, but I won't rule out another small drink at some point before I give birth if I fancy it.

I'm pretty comfortable with my decision, but am just wondering whether in reality most mothers engage in the occasional drink in pregnancy or stay strictly tee total?

[heartsonacake]

I would never. I think it’s very selfish too.

[ToothFairyNemesis]

I didn’t it’s 9 months , I think it’s pretty unusual to drink in pregnancy.

[LaurieMarlow]

OP, you’re brave starting this given the general MN love of teetotalism at the best of times, let alone pregnancy. Get your hard hat ready.

As for me, yes, I had the very occasional glass after 12 weeks. Yes I was comfortable with that because there is absolutely no evidence that small, occasional amounts do any harm.

[LaurieMarlow]

I think it’s very selfish too.

Did you get in a car? That’s far riskier.

[malovitt]

I had the odd low percentage beer here and there, my doctor said it was fine.

[Connie222]

Of course you are not being unreasonable - I hope you enjoyed it!

I’m pregnant at the moment - This is my 3rd pregnancy and I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol in each one. BUT that’s because if I drink, I drink to get tipsy. I don’t drink because I enjoy the taste of alcohol or to be sociable. I drink to get pissed and slob out in front of crap tv

So there’s no point at all in me having just one glass of something in pregnancy because it would be pointless to me, and of course, I’d never drink enough to get drunk so I just don’t bother. After 9 months of pregnancy and a few months of not drinking due to being knackered/having a tiny baby to take care of I’m a pretty cheap date for a while after!

I wouldn’t judge anyone who did have the odd drink though, I’m not that interested in other people’s lives.

[AhNowTed]

The occasional glass is absolutely fine.

[FilthyforFirth]

I had a very small glass of something to toast a family member who died last week. I am nearly 19 weeks. I dont see a problem in what either of us did.

[Gunpowder]

I had a half a small glass of wine a couple of times in each pregnancy (Second or third trimester). Would never drink more than that or on a regular basis in pregnancy.

[Zippy1510]

Half a glass of champagne is fine. Zero evidence it causes harm. FAS is connected to frequent periods of binge drinking. Not a single celebratory glass.

[SkiddySkidz]

I did once on the day we got engaged and then once for my second pregnancy on my wedding day. Drinking during pregnancy is not good but having a small glass of something really isn't the end of the world.

[Pipandmum]

Many people drink quite a bit before they realise they are pregnant. A friend and I went on holiday and she smoked and drank up a storm and three weeks later discovered she had been pregnant the whole time (baby now at a good university so no ill affects).
I think you are fine to drink the odd half glass. Mind you I couldn't stop at just half a glass so didn't drink at all while pregnant.

[TheSmallAssassin]

I didn't drink routinely, but had the odd glass while pregnant. There's very little evidence that at low amounts it will cause any harm to your baby.

[TankGirl97]

I think it's absolutely fine. One small drink, and only occasionally.
I drank nothing when expecting dc1 and it was no hardship. With dc2 I had the odd sip (I seem to remember I liked a very small Guinness a couple times) and felt comfortable with that too.

[Littlemissdaredevil]

I didn’t drink at all in either of my pregnancies but I rarely drink anyway. However, I don’t judge those who have an occasional small drink

[bluemoon2468]

@LaurieMarlow haha no worries I'm pretty thick skinned, and I find 'selfish mother' style comments funny tbh. I'm very confident that I haven't harmed my child in any way, and that I am a good mother. I'm just interested to see how many women will 'admit' to the odd drink during pregnancy on an anonymous poll, as I suspect it's more common than people think!

[moita]

I didn't BUT I have a friend who's a well-regarded obstetrician in the US. He said he'd rather a pregnant lady drank a small glass of wine than a can of coke....made me think.

So many women will judge you but are happy to eat sugar/processed food etc.

[Scarabella]

I had very occasional small glass of red with a meal.

[DamnShesaSexyChick]

I did, most people on here don’t seem to possess basic critical thinking skills - there is no evidence whatsoever that light drinking in pregnancy causes harm or damage.

[BillywilliamV]

I allowed myself a glass of wine once a week when I was pregnant after 3 months. I have never seen any real evidnce that this is an issue, but I wouldnt post on MN about it because you will get minced.

[LaurieMarlow]

haha no worries I'm pretty thick skinned, and I find 'selfish mother' style comments funny

Good

[Queenoftheashes]

I would as there’s no evidence or reason to think that will cause an issue. If one glass of champagne caused problems most people would have them. I hate the paternalistic attitude to pregnant women.

[Whichoneofyoudidthat]

Small beer now and then.

[Crunchymum]

No with DC1 but I did with DC2 and DC3 - both were January born (not twins) so I had a glass of fizz on Xmas day and NYE in pregnancies 2 and 3.