To have one small glass of red wine at 38 weeks pregnant?

[baby2c]

I’m not a drinker at all but DH gets a bottle of red once or twice a month and tonight I really fancy just a very small glass, I’m a weirdo (according to DH) who likes ice in red wine on the rare occasion I have it. DH is only having one glass just in case I was to go into labour and he had to drive to hospital. So I was thinking of having a tiny amount with some ice and enjoying sipping it whilst watching tv in my pjs however I’m not sure if this is totally out of order or reasonable? Would you? Or did you? I haven’t touched alcohol at all since finding out I am pregnant at 4 weeks.

The advice is based on people who are alcoholic which can result in problems for the baby. A bit of alcohol is fine. In most countries and in most times that would have been necessary - what do you drink if you cannot drink the water?
And it's advice, not prohibition.
The odd glass of wine hurts none - it's binge drinking they are after. So, a sledgehammer on everyone to stop idiots. You can't legislate for idiots.

I don't think most of the population are posting on AIBU threads either. It's not a representative group!

Anyway, it remains a fact that both alcohol in pregnancy and unnecessary car trips are avoidable risks to a pregnant woman. If you did get in a car when you didn't have to, and I suspect you did (I did!) you're a hypocrite saying that a woman who also took an unnecessary risk is selfish.

Well said. A small glass once or twice a week is fine. How do those of you who are not in your 50s or older think we ate and drank when we were pregnant 20-30 years ago? We were told not to drink much and not to fave too much coffee, not to refrain completely.

Nope not comparable but you're entitled to your opinion and I'll stick to mine.

Dare one hope that you're going to explain why it's not comparable? Because if you don't, it'll look like the reason you're so insistent it's different is because you unnecessarily went in cars and you think avoidable risks are ok if they're things you did.

What a stupid comment.

You keep restating you opinion without giving any evidence for it. If you haven't got anything new to bring to the table, why bother replying? You say you haven't got time to explain, but you do have time to reply while saying nothing

As above.

A child directly drinking wine is very different from a child sharing a bloodstream with somebody who has just drank wine.

The alcohol content involved in those two situations is completely different.

Drinking a small glass of wine, infrequently, will not affect your blood alcohol levels enough to harm a foetus.

Whereas a baby directly drinking a small glass of wine would probably become drunk which is obviously a no-no.

It's absolutely fine to have one glass of wine at 38 weeks

Yeah maybe. On the other hand, how many people who "crave" alcohol genuinely stop at one small glass? From my point of view, it's extremely easy just not to drink for 9 months.

The vast majority of people are capable of having one glass and then stopping. Pretty patronising to suggest otherwise.

Of course if someone has a genuine problem with alcohol it's not a good idea. But it doesn't sound like this remotely applies to the OP.

But I said people who crave alcohol which, since it is an addictive substance, more than hints at a problem.

The word is used very loosely by many. I wouldn't read very much into the use of one word - if that's all you're going by.

Actually, the advice is quite clear: no amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy.

Yes, @silverygreen. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also makes this point quite clearly.

www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/alcohol-and-pregnancy/

Keating, I have to disagree in the case of alcohol, as with any drug. Craving a glass of wine, needing a stiff drink, deserving a bottle after a hard work day-- not typical of people who can actually take or leave alcohol.

And your comment contributes what exactly?
You wouldn't give a baby alcohol directly - goes without saying- but drinking does expose the foetus in the womb. A PP shared this document here and on page 8 it clearly sums it up: Research on the effects on a baby of low levels of drinking in pregnancy can be difficult to interpret. The risks are probably low, but we cannot be sure that this is completely safe.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80b7ed40f0b623026951db/UK_CMOs__report.pdf
Low does not mean zero. That's the only point worth making. Everyone then decides for themselves.

Yes of course you can and enjoy it!

They only make this point because there is little to no research allowed to be completed due to how ethical it is to carry out research on pregnant women and their unborn babies and the affects of alcohol. Therefore it’s NOT safe because they can’t say for certain whether it is or it isn’t.

I wouldn’t sweat this at all. The only unreasonable thing is asking MN - you’re quite sensible enough to make the decision either way.

Exactly!! Would you give your newborn a cup of tea in their bottle? - No. Would you give them pureed cheese omlette - no. Use your brain

If I said I was 38 weeks pregnant and thought I might drive into town and meet a friend, would you be advising me not to be selfish and to stay at home?

Yep I would and have done before 😊

Have it

I remember old women in the 70s talking about giving babies brandy to make them sleep.