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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Alcohol - do you avoid completely?

27 replies

Saffra · 23/02/2011 13:00

I have read conflicting advice on this - and am a little confused.

I know the government now recommend complete avoidance, and I obviously will be in the first trimester.

However, some sources seem to suggest that one or two units once or twice a week is ok(ex. source: www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/nov/02/drinking-alcohol-pregnant-advice)

I quite fancy a glass of champagne on my birthday or even - gasp - a small glass of wine once a week.

What do you do??

OP posts:

clarabella18 · 23/02/2011 13:13

i avouided for the first trimester. Now i'm 28 weeks and have the odd glass of i fancy it. usually wine, or a half of lager.
At xmas i had a baileys and a snowball! :o

the ionly issue i have is tha i feel a bit squiffy after one glass, not a problem i ever had before!

i did the same with my forst and nver had any problems then either, apart from the indescribable heartburn, nothing a slug on the gavisco bottle couln't sort!

poppygolucky · 23/02/2011 13:14

Do whatever you feel comfortable with and what feels right for you. You are obviously a sensible and responsible woman who wouldn't exceed those limits so a glass of wine once a week won't do any harm. You'll probably find you don't want any more than that anyway.
And enjoy a glass of champagne on your birthday - I drank a glass of champagne on Christmas day and it was bloody lovely!

Ragwort · 23/02/2011 13:20

I had the occasional glass of wine when pregnat (certainly more than once a week ) - and when breast feeding - it did me no harm - but everyone is different. From what you say you are making a very sensible (restrained) choice. My MIL (a midwife !!) drank spirits and smoked regularly during her pregnancies - she had three healthy children - she has since died of cancer but that's a separate issue .

There was some research (can't link) to say that it was 'easier' to try to stop all women drinking when pregnant rather than advise 'sensible' intake becuase there are so many different 'interpretations' of 'sensbile' - just be grateful we don't live in America where it is quite common for bar/restaurant staff to refuse to serve pregnant women alcohol.

BeautifulBlondePineapple · 23/02/2011 13:36

This is my 3rd pregnancy. In each one, I haven't fancied alcohol in the 1st trimester and it gave me shocking heartburn in the 3rd, but during the 2nd I have a couple of (small!) glasses of wine with dinner every week. I don't think it's a problem and it's not for the alcohol per se; I just really like the taste of a glass of wine with a nice dinner.

My American collegue's eyebrows nearly went through the roof when I mentioned this . And you should have seen his face when he saw me drinking my single daily cup of coffee. I might as well have lit up a marlboro while mainlining heroin.

BarbieLovesKen · 23/02/2011 13:40

To be honest, I know many on here have the odd glass but personally, I just prefer to avoid it completely during pregnancy. This is dc3 and I havent drank alcohol during any of the pregnancies (well apart for the very beginning when I didnt actually know I was pregnant ).

poppygolucky · 23/02/2011 13:46

'I might as well have lit up a marlboro while mainlining heroin' - hilarious!

LadyGoneGaga · 23/02/2011 13:58

I do similarly to some ladies on here. Avoid completely in first trimester (when it tastes vile anyway) and have a small glass of wine with dinner or half a bitter once or twice a week. Am 18 weeks and only have actually fancied it in last couple of weeks. So go for it! Did similar when breastfeeding too.

PipPipPip · 23/02/2011 14:05

I've just had a drink when I've fancied it - once or twice a week. Around the festive period I had several drinks a week, but obviously 'padded out' by proper meals, water and soft drinks.

At no point in the pregnancy have I been drunk, but I haven't really denied myself. I've just trusted my instincts, really.

bonnymiffy · 23/02/2011 14:06

I had my "one unit a week" on Christmas Day, and my "one unit of the week" for the following week on Boxing Day! I've had the odd half-pint of guinness since then, probably no more than two, and would have had a sherry glass of wine last night but my taste-buds are shot and it would have been a waste to drink it as it didn't taste right.
I think it's up to the mum-to-be to make the choice - one or probably even two glasses of wine a week aren't likely to give the baby foetal alcohol syndrome, it's all about moderation.

Highlandgirl · 23/02/2011 14:16

I agree with Poppy and PipPipPip....if you fancy having a drink then don't denied your self. Clearly you're not going to go out and get twated.

I found out I was pregnant at 6 weeks...had my hen party and wedding during that time..so the drink rule was smashed to bits without me knowing about baby...!

I have found that some alcohol gave me horrid heartburn...champagne as I do love it. But thankfully that's passed

If you come home from work and fancy a nice glass of red wine with your supper, have it.

I'm due tomorrow and I haven't denied myself anything food or drink wise.. Pregnancy is tough and I don't see why (imo) you shouldn't have the things you enjoy.

Highlandgirl · 23/02/2011 14:18

Forgot to say..moderation is the key...just like most things really.

Good luck with your pregnancy?

KatieWatie · 23/02/2011 14:44

I am really confused.
In some threads people are stating to avoid altogether in your first trimester, but then in others where people have panicked that they've been drinking whilst not knowing they were pregnant people have responded not to worry!

Which is it?

I am now about 7 weeks and really struggling with the not drinking thing tbh. I've always been a steady but regular drinker (typical working woman, need at least 2 glasses of wine a night to get over being at work!). Now I am still working ft, still stressed about work, but not even able to have a drink to wind down. It's very hard. I can't WAIT til I just don't fancy it any more.

I'm also unable to socialise or even go see my parents during this time, as I am well known for loving a drink (possibly even "being a lush" lol) and it would definitely arouse suspicion if I went a night without a drink. Does anyone else find this?

JimmyChoo17 · 23/02/2011 14:54

Other than when I didnt know (first 4 weeks) I hadnt drunk any booze. Ive not missed it and whilst Ive fancied it about twice...I feel too guilty as I had previous losses, unrelated to booze I would imagine..

However...I went to a party last week (am 2nd trimester) which had a champers entrance and I took a small fluteful which I sipped on for ages (Savourng more than anything) and my gosh...the jaws around me were dropping and I even heard someone say..well she always liked to drink so why would pregnancy stop her...I felt so guilty! They were all older mums with ground up kids and rather disapproving. I actually had my hubbys flute which he had drunk out of anyway so it was not even full.

If I felt it was going to damage baby in way I wouldnt have of course...I think you are allowed to drink in moderation (1-2 units a week) but you can guarantee every now and then you get some medical group giving out different advice!!

You sound level headed - go for it.

(I am 19 weeks now)

poppygolucky · 23/02/2011 14:55

I always enjoyed a drink pre-pregnancy and similar to you katie, knew everyone would know I was pregnant very early on if I was in a social situation and didn't have a glass of wine in my hand.

Also i regularly had wine as a way of de-stressing after a hard day - found out at only 5 weeks and therefore had 7 weeks of not touching a drop. Yeah I did worry about what I'd drank in the 5 weeks but the point is that you can't actually change that and you'll probably be ok. However, the first trimester is so important, I just didn't want to risk it. But I wouldn't judge or blame any woman who does choose to have a glass of wine before the magical 12 week mark - it's up to you.

What I will say though is I managed it and I was drinking quite a bit before I found out. Horrendous morning sickness helped in that I didn't really want to drink from about 8 weeks. Now at 22+3, I have had one glass of wine in the past two weeks, but may well have one tonight and maybe even on Friday as out to dinner both nights. Will just see how I feel. Anyway it's not forever and be sensible. Best advice I personally received.

JimmyChoo17 · 23/02/2011 14:56

PS my own opinion...I would always avoid drink in the first trimester though....You have probably been drinking for the first 4-5 weeks anyway before getting your BFP so another 7 weeks should be fine to wait.

Its the busiest time for babies development. Just my opinion tho.

minibmw2010 · 23/02/2011 15:00

I didn't drink in the first trimester but over Christmas had maybe one glass of wine each evening. We have just got back from 10 nights all inclusive holiday and while there I had a small beer at lunchtime and a glass of wine in the evening each day and that was my lot. Its really a personal choice, but I know I'm not going to do anything to harm my baby, but I just felt two small drinks was OK.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 23/02/2011 15:03

I had the odd glass in 1st trimester, and I have probably had a small glass once a week on average for most of the rest of my pregnancy. When we went on holiday I had a small glass every day with my dinner for 4 nights.

Katie - the reason people say not to worry about having been drunk before you find out you are pregnant, is that until the egg has actually implanted there is no way for the alcohol to reach it. So getting blind drunk at less than 6 weeks pg really isn't going to have done anything.
Don't understand why you would avoid your parents though? Surely if you miscarry you would tell them anyway for moral support so no harm in them knowing you are pregnant?

Highlandgirl - yes champagne gives me dreadful heartburn too, very disappointing! Good job that I can still enjoy a lovely glass of red :)

There is no reason to avoid alcohol when you are BFing either, in fact a glass every evening to help you relax is good and can help if your baby has colic.

Vassia · 23/02/2011 15:05

My friends guessed when I said I would drive on a night out. But by that point I was a bit further along and didn't mind them knowing. Plus, I probably would have told them if something went wrong anyway. I still want the odd glass of wine to chill out after work, but by the time I get home and into my jammies, I can't really be bothered. I'm along the lines of "what's the point in only having one?" So I don't. I'm 28 weeks now and have had 3 glasses of champagne in total to date, for christmas, a leaving night and an engagement. And I drank them slowly to savour them and to not overload the nugget with a full glass in one gulp! But like others, I avoided completely in the 1st trimester, and can't be bothered now I'm hitting the 3rd.

I am longing for a nice cocktail (or 5) when this is all over though....

KatieWatie · 23/02/2011 15:10

Alibaba - OK thanks for the info, I feel less bad about it now. Everyone is different and I won't be telling my parents until I am beyond 12 weeks. I did miscarry in December and to this day they do not know I have ever been pregnant. I doubt I would get moral support from them and I do not need their disapproval, disappointment and negativity at what would already be a bad time for me. Once I am past 12 weeks I will be telling the world

LearningFast · 23/02/2011 15:22

Katie,

I was very worried about people noticing that I wasn't drinking over Christmas, especially as I was 39 years old and 4 months into a marriage - thought everyone would see my empty glass and immediately ask if I was up the duff (which I was, by 6 weeks). It was made worse by spending time between Christmas and over new year staying with DH's family.

DH and I agreed a cunning plan where I would just sip from my wine glass and we would periodically swap glasses when no-one was looking. That worked quite well. In reality people paid a lot less attention than I thought they would.

We've still not told anyone about the pregnancy (looking forward to doing that this weekend - albeit with a little trepidation about the reality then kicking in!) but I think that my work colleagues and 2 closest friends have guessed. However they are being very polite about not asking - and even if someone thinks they know, they don't actually know unless they come out and ask you directly, and I think people respect the fact that if you haven't said yet it's for good reason.

thefurryone · 23/02/2011 15:22

My maternity notes indicate that alcohol should be avoided in the first trimester and then be limited to 1-2 units a week thereafter. I'm in NI so maybe the blanket advice to avoid isn't policy here.

I have the odd glass of wine and the occassional beer, I probably don't always reach the 1-2 units a week quota as quite often when we're out I'm driving and that a whole new level of irresponsibility!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 23/02/2011 15:23

Katie - that's a shame about your parents. I hope you'll find them supportive once they know about this LO. :)

Original poster

Saffra · 23/02/2011 15:41

Thanks for these comments, actually, it does really put my mind at rest.

I think I read something about that reasoning somewhere, Ragwort, i.e. that it's 'easier' / 'safer' overall to give a zero tolerance guideline. (In a way, if you think about it, pretty much everyone ignores the 14 units per week for (non pg) women). So, if they say total abstinence, the message is then very clear - even if it doens't necessarily have a scientific basis to it.

DISCLAIMER: Not saying there is NO medical evidence at all for not drinking at all, just not seen any yet!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Saffra · 23/02/2011 15:53

As I do like a glass of wine or two to chill out (and going to the pub was previously what I did for socialising), I've also felt really obvious about my lack of drinking!

Fortunately, I got my BFP just after New Year, so didn't have to make excuses over Christmas.

Katie - sorry to hear that you feel that way about telling your parents, etc. They might be more supportive than you think. Perhaps your feelings about your Dec MC is clouding your feelings - maybe? I'm not known for having the closest relationship with my parents but yet it really helped me knowing they knew what I'd gone through when I had previous issues too (previous ectopic pg)

OP posts:

lilly13 · 23/02/2011 16:34

i avoid completely. had 1/4 glass of champaigne for new years and that felt weird...

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