To ask if you drank alcohol during pregnancy

[Butterflyflower1234]

I'm curious as to people thoughts on alcohol during pregnancy?

I was always of the opinion that I wouldn't touch a single drop of alcohol during pregnancy but now I'm wondering would it be significantly harmful to have say one small glass of wine with dinner every so often (less than once a fortnight).

The thought of it turns my stomach, but even if I was wanting a drink I wouldn't have one. Why risk it? The baby is sharing my blood.

I did. I think when I was pregnant advice was that one or two units a week was ok, so I had a glass every weekend. I didn't drink for the first trimester though. (Kids look fine, though one does collect wine corks, draw faces on them and secrete them under his pillow, slightly worryingly).

A MW told me the reason they are now saying none at all is people not understanding what, "in moderation" means

Such nonsense. Of course people understand what moderation is because we're not stupid despite being female and the guidelines used to give examples anyway. It's just another way of trying to control women.

Parenthood involves being selfless and putting their needs first

Such a lovely example of MN perfect "parenting" virtue signalling.

I think when I was pregnant advice was that one or two units a week was ok

So what's unclear about that, NHS? Or have you assumed that we're all so stupid we think one "unit" is a massive bottle of champagne - what are they called, a Jeroboam?

I didn’t drink with my three birth children, as am not a big drinker anyway and didn’t miss it. Dd 4 is adopted and on the FASD spectrum. She has problems with growth, her hearing, sensory integration, emotional regulation and mild learning difficulties. Her birth mum was a heavy drinker throughout the pregnancy I believe. However, seeing the difficulties that my dd is presented with, I feel quite strongly that it is better to abstain for the nine months if possible. The odd drink is unlikely to result in full blown FAS, but is it worth taking any risks?

@mantarays

Of course not. There are plenty of reasons to leave the house. Social or work or whatever. I certainly don't think a midwife would say well now you are pregnant please ensure you stay inside in case you risk getting hit by a bus/in a car accident. Because they are ridiculous and pretty much unavoidable requests.

My point is drinking is avoidable because it is controlled by you.

Alcohol is dangerous and a harmful substance. Especially when misused as an adult. What has be measured out and suggested for adults, is for adults NOT babies. So, when you consume something so does your baby, do you think a baby could cope with one drink?

You are putting your baby at risk simple as! You put your baby at risk or dont. Regardless, of no "evidence" we know alcohol is a harmful substance.

No I didn't drink during or after pregnancy.

JTTWC

You don’t have to leave the house socially. And you could argue, if leaving the house to work is a risk to a child, it’s highly unreasonable to expect pregnant women to work and maternity leave should begin as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.

But we don’t, because (we say) life goes on. Really it’s because the cost would be too great and the benefit too small. But we don’t mind making a giant stink about women having the occasional glass of fizz because that doesn’t cost us anything.

So, when you consume something so does your baby...

Review your science. This isn’t what happens.

@lauriemarlow

Can I see that proof?

Parenthood involves being selfless and putting their needs first

But it’s okay for parents to put their desire of getting in the car and going to the shops first.

Despite online shopping existing they don’t have to be selfless about that according to you.

I had an occasional glass of wine while pregnant with my second. I didn't drink when i had my first and had given up with my third.

A few of us Mum's used to meet up at one of our houses and watch a film on a Saturday night. We'd buy a box of Country Manor, it was the early 90's and I'd have a small glass when I wasn't in the heartburn/feeling sick stages.

Considering the previous generation were told to drink Guinness or Mackeson's Stout, when pregnant and breastfeeding, I don't think we did any damage.

From what I've read issues can be caused by the alco pops (which wasn't around when I was younger), because the chemicals, in them have more of an effect on the fetus than the alcohol content. That was when the advice started to change.

It is different to when we just drank spirits and mixers.

Can I see that proof?

Well there’s absolutely no proof that a very occasional glass of wine does any harm for starters.

Every time you get in a car you have a small percentage chance of being injured. I’ve no idea what that is off the top of my head.

@cologne4711L

So they don't give drinking guidelines to men then no? Just women pregnant and not? It's not a way to control us its a health guideline what a strange way to look at it.

@LaurieMarlow

Yes but what if I fancy a bar of chocolate and can't wait another week to do the online shop? Then it's a necessity!

Yes but what if I fancy a bar of chocolate and can't wait another week to do the online shop? Then it's a necessity!

Read back what you’ve just written

@Mantarays I dont need to... You are warned not to drink for obvious reasons. It is toxic!
Information that is available is not to "control" (that's just paranoid and idiotic) it is to inform us.

@Oxfordnono12 - absolutely right!

@cologne4711 dont understand your feminist response to my comment at all, controlling women?, what?....

@LaurieMarlow

Oxfordnono12

Then please allow yourself to be informed. If someone has one drink, that is factually not the same as their baby having one drink.

Nope not a drop when pregnant but I’ve always been careful with what I eat and drink when pregnant because nothing means more to me than my DC.

I challenge anybody to read this and drink during pregnancy:

depts.washington.edu/fasdpn/pdfs/astley-oster2013.pdf

It was written by a doctor who specialises in FAS.

She refutes Emily Ostler. She also puts the idea that the odd, small drink is ok in context.

@mantarays, @bingbangbing

When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your baby.

A baby's liver is one of the last organs to develop and does not mature until the later stages of pregnancy.

Your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect their development.

Direct from the nhs.

I didn’t drink at all during my first pregnancy and I haven't drank at all during this pregnancy. However, I rarely drink at all when not pregnant, maybe once every few months.