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Conception

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Original poster

Should I drink while trying to concieve?

11 replies

piercedprincess · 05/03/2015 19:43

So I know alcohol isn't recommended if you're trying to conceive and I don't think I'm a big drinker but I do enjoy a couple of glasses of wine every now and then. I would say that on average I drink about a bottle a week, I don't drink every week mind, that's just the average and when I do drink I'll have half the bottle on one night then the other half the next night typically. But, what I want to know is, is that too much for someone who's trying to conceive?

It's just, my husband and I have been trying to conceive for well over a year now with no joy and nothing to show for it. Husband has low motility and that, coupled with the fact we have not had any luck yet, makes me think "hrrrm maybe it won't be so bad to treat myself to my weekly couple of glasses of Wine." Maybe I shouldn't be thinking that way when I'm trying I don't know, what do you guys think?

OP posts:
stubbornstains · 05/03/2015 19:55

Well, I looked into this when I was TTC, and, despite the "don't drink when TTC" message being widely touted around, the only firm evidence I could find was a Danish study (all these kinds of studies appear to be Danish!), where they compared couples where the woman had "five drinks or more" a week to couples where the woman had "less than five drinks". I can't quite remember the stats, but I think it was something like 65% of the lower rate drinkers got pg within a year, and 50% of the higher rate drinkers did. You may want to Google this, as I'm not 100% sure I've got all the figures right!

What did I take from discovering this? That cutting down is probably helpful, but not the be all and end all. That people probably fuss too much about alcohol consumption, and too little about other factors....

I was drinking quite a lot more than you, and I cut down to about the amount you're drinking at the moment, and got pregnant. Currently 28 weeks. Is my personal anecdote statistically significant? Hell no. Was it cutting down on the booze that enabled me to conceive? God alone bloody knows! Good luck though....Thanks

Alanna1 · 05/03/2015 20:19

I think you should go chat to your doctor to be honest. That doesn't sound like that much alcohol to me - though people usually under estimate their consumption. But trying for a year and no conception is part of the criteria used for some couples to then get help in the NHS.

stubbornstains · 05/03/2015 20:21

Yes, I was going to ask if you've been for tests? And are you tracking your cycles- do you know when you ovulate?

reni1 · 05/03/2015 20:49

Drink 'til it's pink then sober 'til it's over.

Original poster
piercedprincess · 05/03/2015 21:21

Oh yes we're currently being seen by a fertility specialist but we're still at the test stage at the mo so haven't gotten around to really asking about the alcohol thing. Also if I'm honest I'm a tiny bit nervous to ask:P

Had all my bloods done, all normal, had two scans of womb and ovaries, all normal, I have regular periods and I ovulate regularly. When the consultant reviewed the results of my scans he told me I have "good eggs" and a healthy uterus lining whatever that is worth. Going for a HSG next month to check I don't have blocked fallopian tubes or any scarring in my womb but if all comes back fine then it's just hubby we have to deal with.

As for the booze, I'm gonna carry on for now drinking a couple of glasses here and there, maybe try and cut it down to two bottles a month instead of four.

OP posts:
Original poster
piercedprincess · 05/03/2015 21:23

Forgot to say I love your comment reni1, think I'm gonna adopt that as my mantra Grin

OP posts:
Fuzzyduck21 · 05/03/2015 21:54

I knew I wasn't ovulating so slightly different but I carried on drinking at weekends. not loads though. Then when I was finally prescribed clomid I stopped as I knew I only had a few shots at it so thought I should make the most of it!

I'm sure a few drinks won't hurt and might even relax you!

MalibuDaisy · 06/03/2015 07:59

Have a drink if it makes you happy. Last weekend I convinced myself I shouldn't have a drink over the weekend - and then I did. On Friday, on Saturday, and again on Sunday. I felt guilty each time and honestly, now I look back I would have caused myself far less stress just saying "Oh f* it it's the weekend, I will be beveraging and I will not be feeling bad about this." Alcohol might be considered bad for conceiving, but stress is bad for it too, so I think it's pretty important not to deny yourself all the things you like in search of that BFP. And one or two glasses of wine a week is nothing x

WorkingBling · 06/03/2015 08:02

It took nearly two years to conceive ds. If I had not drink that entire time he would never have been conceived frankly!! Smile.

I keep getting sucked into these alcohol threads but honestly it's not crack cocain and in moderation it won't harm your chances b

Original poster
piercedprincess · 06/03/2015 10:45

Yeah I think I will carry on as I am for now. It's taking so long to cook a bubba I can't frickin deprive myself for years. Reading these responses has made me feel a bit better about having the odd couple of glasses. Cheers people *raises a glass of wine

OP posts:
reni1 · 06/03/2015 12:41

Wine It's Friday after all.

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