Wine when pregnant

[patronsaintofglocks]

Hi everyone.
I'm nearly 15 weeks pregnant with my first. It's my 24th birthday today.

I'm going out with my DP for dinner this evening, would IBU to have a glass of wine with my meal?

Thank you.

[jdoe8]

These threads really grate on me.

Just because a baby was born fine doesn't mean the drinking wouldn't have long term affects. All these "i drank and it was fine" how about if you played russian roulette and were not killed, does that mean russian roulette is fine?

The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/alcohol-medicines-drugs-pregnant.aspx

[ToffeeForEveryone]

Your choice, as above. Personally I didn't bother because it's only one small drink. I did get a bit bored with OJ when pregnant and out. Fizzy water instead or Koppaberg alcohol free were just about palatable (very sugary though). Becks Blue is so bad I spat it out.

Keep in mind the size and type of wine you are ordering - a 175ml glass of 13% wine = 2.3 units, or more than a double gin and tonic.

[EastEndQueen]

1-2 small (measured 125ml) glasses a week here after 14 weeks. Preformed detailed quizzing of obstetric and neonatal doctors at my work and they could not be less bothered. The total consensus was that you would really have to be drinking vast amounts to cause a problem. Which is why we didn't have universal feral alcohol syndrome before the 1970s...

[Wolfiefan]

One glass in the entire pg? With food? Presumably with a glass of water on the go at the same time?
I would.
You may really fancy one but actually not enjoy it! This happened to me in pg!

[EastEndQueen]

*fetal alcohol syndrome

[Lweji]

I'd only have a small glass and make sure I'd stick with it.

[Crunchyside]

When I had my initial GP appointment at the beginning of my pregnancy I didn't even mention alcohol but the GP specifically told me that if I want the odd glass of wine that's fine So I have taken that as permission...! I probably only drink about half to two-thirds of a glass though usually, I give the rest to DH, just so I know I'm definitely not overdoing it. I do this anywhere from one to four times a week. Always less than a full glass though, and always with dinner.

[oblada]

I didn't and I wouldn't, I just don't see the point, it's not hard to abstain surely. There is no evidence that a little bit would harm baby but then again no evidence that it would not harm baby. Difficult to run a proper study on this really... To me it is an unnecessary risk. Yes we do a lot of "risky" things every day even when pregnant but then again why add something like this to the list? It's not like it's a big deal to stop for a few months surely.

[RainbowsAndUnicorn]

I wouldn't, alcohol can cause damage and it's just not worth the risk when there are hundreds of safe things to drink.

Drinking alcohol when pregnant really isn't any different to giving it to a baby, it goes through the placenta to the baby.

[Scottishchick39]

YANBU, a glass of wine now and again isn't going to do any harm. I only drank occasionally when pregnant as once I had one glass I always wanted another (but didn't). It was easier just not to bother.

[mummabubs]

I'm nearly 14 weeks and have had 2 white wine spritzers (on separate occasions and both in the second trimester, was completely alcohol and caffeine free in first). I won't lie, I felt a pang of guilt the first sip both times but I like to think of myself as a rational thinker who follows evidence, and research currently suggests that the odd drink on occasion has no direct lasting impact on your baby. It's entirely up to you but do what you feel is the right decision for you and not what others tell you. (And happy birthday!) 😊 x

[SuperSheepdog]

Yabu. Why risk it? It's not for long that you're not supposed to drink, it could really bother you if your child had ill health that may have been the result of 'the odd glass' of wine.

[jdoe8]

research currently suggests that the odd drink on occasion has no direct lasting impact on your baby

You speak as if all research concludes that, when other research says that even half a glass of wine does damage. Hence why the NHS advice is not to drink anything.

[EastEndQueen]

OP read the work done by Emily Ostler

www.slate.com/blogs/expecting_better/2013/09/11/drinking_during_pregnancy_what_the_experts_don_t_tell_you.html

Her whole book is brilliant, makes you realise how terrible most of the science surrounding pregnancy is.

[Cocklodger]

YANBU.
There is NO evidence that a small irregular amount does any harm whatsoever.
Make your own decision based upon that.
As long as you aren't binge drinking or drinking daily you'll be fine

[CocoLoco87]

I had the odd half a glass of cider with DC. I felt too guilty to drink wine with DC1.

With DC2, my hyperemesis was so bad I was terribly depressed. I couldn't keep anything down for half the pg, but by about the 25 week mark, my one white wine spritzer a week was what got me through. People might judge me for that, but it was such a dark time in my life, that looking forward to my saturday evening tipple genuinely got me through some awful weeks. It's whatever works for you and your baby. I wouldn't tell someone they should or shouldn't. It's a personal choice as many PP have said.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[ExConstance]

I would have, but I completely lost the taste for it - and for coffee. I had the odd glass of champagne though. if you think of it an awful lot of people will be drinking more than the odd glass before they know they are pregnant, which is quite a dangerous time. For me having to forgo nice cheese was a real pain.

[fiorentina]

DC1 I didn't as I went right off it, DC2 I had a few small glasses at a couple of celebrations but found one small glass just made me want more, so avoided altogether!

[Spam88]

YABU for basing your decision on the opinions of people on an Internet forum.

Read the NHS guidelines, get clued up on the potential risks and make your a decision based on your own risk-benefit analysis.

[inspiredbutohsotired]

I'm 23 weeks and have had I think 4 glasses in total, and only in second trimester.
Midwife told me it was totally fine and not to worry, but just to keep it to the one. She said they often tell people 'No alcohol at all' because some women take 'a little bit is fine' to be one bottle a week, all in one sitting.

[CustardOmlet]

Up to you if you take the advice or not. For me it was zero alcohol, zero risk. I was pregnant at my 30th birthday party and still didn't drink.

[MyheartbelongstoG]

Everything you eat and drink goes straight to your baby.

Would you pour a glass out and hand it to your baby?

Same thing.

[seven201]

I would and did.

[seven201]

It's not the same myheart.

[DEMum101]

I would. 7 years ago with my first, the advice was 1 or 2 small glasses a week IIRC. I drank less than that but still had the odd one and DD was fine (I am aware that the plural of anecdote is not data, of course).

This time, the guidelines said none at all but I drank a bit early on because it was hard to avoid without telling people why I wasn't drinking, particularly family. DH finished off a lot of wine for me those first weeks poor man! Now at 33 weeks, it mainly gives me heartburn although Prosecco seems to go down ok.

The studies really don't show exactly how much is safe but there is pretty clear evidence that small amounts of alcohol will not do you any harm and you are beyond the first three months now anyway.

Like a PP said, the guidelines are none at all because they think women don't know where to draw the line and, in fairness, comparisons with the 60s and 70s aren't that helpful because wine has a significantly higher percentage of alcohol now than used to be the case.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your birthday celebration!