Contemplating a (small) glass of wine once a week...

[SaraL77]

anyone else feel the urge? or feel guilty?? But I still feel guilty thinking about it- it's so annoying!

In my second pregnancy I craved lager shandy. I gave in and drank it. I made it weak - more lemonade less lager - and had it a couple times per week.

I indulge. There's no evidence it's harmful. Government guidelines of zero alcohol were based on a judgement that people would find that easier to follow as so few people realise what 1-2 units a week actually means (or can stop at that).

To be fair I hardly had anything (maybe 1 glass of champage?) in the 1st trimester, but I mostly just didn't want it then.

Becks Blue alcohol-free beer is pretty good though.

Opinions differ so much on this... I drink a glass of wine per week, sometimes more but never more than one on any one occasion, iyswim.
Another pregnant friend of mine drinks 2 or 3 glasses in one night but only once a week.
My mum used to drink at least a glass of wine per night.
My SIL didn't drink any alcohol at all in either of her pregnancies.

Don't feel guilty - we've got a life time of that ahead of us as parents!

I had a small glass of wine once (or even twice!) a week once I was past the 1st trimester last time and will probably do the same this time.

Personal choice and all that, but as far as I'm aware there is no scientific basis for complete abstention.

FWIW, medical evidence does suggest that 4 units or more in one session constitutes binge drinking which can be harmful. So 2-3 glasses of wine a night is technically binge drinking.

I abstained totally for the first three months but since then have had a small glass of wine if I go out for a meal or out with people for a special occasion. I tend to spread it out so it probably averages less than one a week. I really don't feel guilty about it.

(Ducks for cover in preparation for hurled abuse)

Yeah I know, I feel like I'm being judged that's the problem- probably because of the 'guidelines' that constantly remind us that caffiene, runny eggs, etc etc are bad...

I completely went off the idea of alcohol in the first 3 months too, but now I'm back to normal! Tried Becks blue but the lack of alcohol I find gives it a funny taste, or maybe it's the lack of 'alcohol' aftertaste that does it.

I'll work on my feelings of guilt- thanks!

I had a couple of glasses of fizzy wine every week while pg. I don't normally drink at all.

It did no harm to anyone.

I abstained for the 1st trimester; enjoyed couple of glasses of wine or cider shandy a week in my 2nd trimester and have gone off it for the last few weeks (am 31 weeks). I might get some red wine today though now I think about it and just have a splash. For me, its all about space in my tummy now- I don't want to waste cake space any more!

I wouldn't have more than 1 unit in a sitting (although I think I have had 2 units in a sitting a couple of times, across two pregnancies ) and not more than 3 times a week if that.

At the moment, like with DS's pregnancy, I am craving beer (bitter, not lager) and sometimes it's staved off with a sip or two of DH's beer of an evening. Occasionally I'll have a couple of inches in my own glass - it can be fairly strong, up to 5%, so it goes down slowly. And if we're having lunch at a pub, I'll have a lemonade and nick an inch or so of DH's beer to make shandy! I don't think any of this is Bad, but what I'm finding I have to watch is not letting it become a routine habit. Once or twice a week feels ok - if I let it slide, it'd be nearly every night! (Am 24 wks, btw)

I never went of booze when I was pregnant - I missed it.
But then again I drank in all my pregnancies - I just abstained in the first trimester and stuck to one glass of wine / champagne about once a week. There is no evidence of harm from small amounts of alcohol and it is very patronising of govt to not only tell us not to but to draw those pictures of pregnant women crossed out on the bottles - it's a ticket for other people to be judgemental when they don't know what they're talking about.

I didn't have anything from finding out till about 14 weeks. Then I had one glass of bitter and gave the rest to dh to make his a pint, once a weekish, some weeks I had none, some I might have had two but rarely.
On my anniversary last weekend we had a lovely meal made by DH, and I had 2 small (1 not full) glasses of red, for some reason I felt so guilty afterwards. Am 32weeks and don't fancy bitter anymore, so think I will be having a drink free few weeks.

I hate those logos.

I was sipping a glass of champage at a wedding a few weeks back and had a few people comment on how nice it was to see me enjoying it and not going overboard with stressing - and they included some NHS health professionals!

I didn't have anything in the first 10-12 weeks as I just didn't fancy it with the nausea etc. Now (nearly 16 weeks) I am having the occasional small glass maximum once a week. Wouldn't drink more than that at one sitting, but would consider drinking that amount more than once a week. Would also consider beer, but wouldn't have anything stronger than wine without a mixer (I mean I rarely have that anyway, would never neck a neat vodka LOL, but more thinking of something like cognac after a nice dinner, which I like, but wouldn't do while pg).

I do struggle for non-sickly-sweet non-alcofrolic drinks though. I can only drink e.g. 1 j2o before feeling like I'm going to go into sugar shock, flavoured waters etc. are just as bad. Even real fruit juice is too sweet after 1 glass. Ironically, the much mocked Schloer is actually less sugary tasting than lots of alternatives. Also liking tonic water with lots of ice and lemon as it honestly doesn't taste that different from a G&T!

D

I abstained in the first trimester but have started treating myself to a small glass of red once a week (125ml). I've been surprised at how long a glass lasts if I have a large glass of sparkling water on the go too. On holiday last week I had a few bottles of Becks Blue and was pleasantly surprised as it wasn't too sweet! Other than that real ginger beer with a dash of lime's nice.

I'm having a glass or so a week

Deliaskis I agree with you about the tonic water! I'm 8 weeks so trying not to tell people and we had a party last weekend. I didn't want people to notice I wasn't drinking, so just stuck to the tonic and told everyone it was G&T. A couple of times I was worried I'd picked up someone else's glass because it tasted so similar. I really didn't miss the gin. Revelation!

Lime and soda has been a real help to me when out in pubs! IKWYM about juice being too sweet. I didn't have anything for first trimester, but since then, I had er, several (small) glasses of champagne (with food) at a friend's wedding. Apart from that, I just have a white wine spritzer (1 part wine to about 6 parts sparkling water) or a lemonade topped up with a finger of bitter. My DH raises an eyebrow if I have any more than that, which is fine as all I want is a taste. Usually have a sip of whatever wine DH is having, again, I just enjoy the taste, no real desire to drink.

I didn't fancy it in the first trimester, but now I have about half a glass a night, topped up with some water.

Japhrimel is wrong though: "FWIW, medical evidence does suggest that 4 units or more in one session constitutes binge drinking which can be harmful. So 2-3 glasses of wine a night is technically binge drinking." That's not medical evidence that's the government guideline - bit different!

I have my "Friday night unit". Although this pregnancy that has become slightly more like my "Friday night 2 Units, and possibly another one at some point in the weekend".

DC1 was fine. Only time will tell with (as yet unborn) DC2.

But yes, do miss alcohol, although not as much as I thought I might.

I've not touched a drop since I found out I was PG at 4 weeks. I'm now 31 weeks. I'm now being holier than thou but I miscarried last year and I just can't handle the thought of doing anything, however remote, that may cause any harm. Also I LOVE wine and if I had one glass I don't think I'd want to stop! So best for me to have none! Having said that I'm sure a glass or 2 a week doesn't do any harm... I had also heard that the gov said none as they didn't think people knew what a unit was and to say none was easier than people working out what was allowed IYSWIM.

I have 1 or 2 small glasses a week, but not each week. As and when I feel like it. Mostly in pubs, and I don't feel guilty at all. As I begin to look more pregnant, people look at me askance but for god's sake, it's just a drink, and I am responsible enough to drink in a way that shouldn't harm my baby.

From the NHS website: "If you do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to your unborn baby you should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week"

I have chosen to drink, and choose to work to their guidelines. DP trusts me to be sensible and doesn't say a word if if I have two small white wines in an evening, if it's just once per week.

Octaviapink - I'm confused by your statement. Government guidance is zero alcohol in pregnancy. Medical evidence suggests the risks rise with 4 units or more and that 1-2 units a week is safe.

I'm 18 weeks - and didn't drink in first trimester - but only cos i felt so sick!

But have had either a bottle of beer a week or glass of wine - but I'm only doing it if at party/friend's house/bbq.

to be fair, wasn't an at home drinker anyhow - but did tend to geet hammered if out! And miss having more than 1 beer at a BBQ. :)

I've had a few but now my acid is so hideous that just looking at wine sets it off.

I wouldn't drink it in public now - couldn't cope with the judgypanted looks from random strangers even though I shouldnt give a monkeys since I would know it's the only drink I'd had in weeks.

I've had people make comments about the fact I'm having a coffee (not random strangers though!) so goodness knows what they'd have to say about booze! Once pregnant you are now officially public property apparently and fair game for unwanted opinions.