Thoughts on alcohol during pregnancy

[babysaurus]

Hi, I am 9+5 and am craving a glass of white wine like you would not believe! My sister said she drank a glass several times a week all the way through her pregnancy, whereas other friends of mine haven't touched a drop from day one until they finished breastfeeding. There also seems to be quite a lot of conflicting advice on alcohol, esp from country to country (eg US says none at all, whereas in France they think it's weird if you dont!)
Am curious to hear other viewpoints and experiences (if only to justify pouring myself a small glass on Friday!)

Was there something in the news about this recently? The latest research being that there are different levels of FAS, from very mild to extreme problems. And that varies with alcohol intake.

The thing I don't get is people will completely avoid certain things but make an exception to alcohol - because the idea of not having it is too much to deal with so they try and justify it. Why not admit you like a drink and are prepared to take a risk? Why not do the same with other stuff too. I have to admit with DS I abstained and now pregnant with DC2 and have had the odd sip because I like the taste but feel guilty for taking the risk. Also it's sad that I haven't been able to abstain - it is only 9 months.

I didn't make an exception for alcohol.

I abstained from being overly concerned with what I ate and drank.

I find the whole obsession with what women do with their pregnant bodies a massive imposition and an unpleasant societal fetishisation of human incubators.

It's not like being pregnant is the only reason not to drink a litre of vodka a day or not be a junkie.

As my lovely (older woman) GP said to me when I asked about cycling when pg "well, just try not to fall off. But I'm presuming you do that anyway"

As it turned out, I didn't feel safe cycling when pregnant, so I didn't. But I felt I'd be OK if I had some wine after the first trimester so I did once or twice.

I think all these bossy guidelines are bullshit and people who talk about "it's only 9 months, why risk it?" are fuckheads.

It's 9 months of my fucking life. I'll assess my own risks thanks all the same.

Iggly, I have done the same with other stuff too. I have had the odd runny egg because I believe that the chances of it harming you are very slim these days. I have also had parma ham, pastrami and a number of other 'forbidden' foods because I believe that the chances are very slim. My DPs family are Italian and they don't give up all those foods or the odd glass of wine (although they are told not to eat strawberries for some reason). I am not trying to justify anything I just simply believe that it's not necessary to completely change my lifestyle.

I take a relaxed and realistic approach to risk. Obviously the effects of excessive alcohol are devastating, but I don't think there's any need for hysteria, or to insinuate that women who choose to drink during pregnancy have a problem.

I also enjoy a runny egg and a slightly rare steak, bought from someone trustworthy and cooked by me. I don't eat pate as I don't fancy it, ditto blue or mould-ripened cheeses.

I have also forgotten to take folic acid most days, but I know I have a healthy-ish diet, so I'm not worried.

Interesting about the strawberries, wonder what the risk attached to them is?

people who talk about "it's only 9 months, why risk it?" are fuckheads.

I think they advise not to because they can cause allergies in babies....that's what they told me anyway!

First pregnancy, couldn't face it.
Second pregnancy, had 1-2 glasses every week or so with dinner.

I went off it totally first time round. Like would puke even at the smell of DHs glass of beer, nearly puked at a friends wedding smelling the champagne all around. Second time I had the odd half glass, maybe 3 in total during the pregnancy. The next few times I had a bit more than that, never more than a half glass, maybe once a month or so - always had red wine for the iron. And I had a bit of guinness for medicinal purposes (seriously!) as I was really anaemic. Go with your own instinct. You shouldn't be getting drunk, and it should only be occasional.

I will add though that I know 2 people who were really drunk on a few occasions before they knew, and not just when they concieved, which is probably a high proportion of people anyhow. And, how do I put it nicely, their children are, well, not quite right looking.

Meant to add all mine fine. Only one that anywhere near not totally healthy is the first - didn't drink at all with that one too!

I drank a few units of Baileys a week during my pregnancy (in 2004), without guilt.

Another moderate drinker here. I have 2 or 3 small glasses of good red wine a week and only have the one glass in a day. I think 9 months is a long time to abstain completely, especially as there is no hard and fast evidence that proves 1-2 units 2 or 3 times a week is going to hurt. I think the risks are over-egged by hysterical media coverage. Pregnancy is stressful and that small glass of red chills me out! I really look forward to it! Due my next one on Friday

Alliwant - you've just just reminded me...

I know someone who was pregnant in Belgium who was told by her doctor that she should drink a small glass of good red wineeach evening had to be good red wine though!

I personally am not much of drinker- and have not/will not touch any alcohol throughout my pregnancy. That is purely my decision- and I cast no judgement on others choices.

I do recognise that the evidence does seem to suggest that a couple a week won't do any harm. At the end of the day, I guess it's a personal choice isn't it?

It is funny though, when you know you can't have something- I find your body does tend to crave it more. I have always HATED beer; literally can't stand the smell or taste. Just recently however, I smelt some and practically had to mop up the puddle of druel from the floor!

At the end of the day Babysaurus, it's your body, your baby- you just need to make the choice that you feel most comfortable with and who cares what others think!

Risk from strawberries = toxoplasmos.
Same as with salads and other uncooked vegetables.

If I've understood correctly, the risk comes from the soil so you have to be very careful about washing them thoroughly before eating.

Hence why in France we are told NOT to eat salads in restaurants/shop sandwiches with salad in them (even just tomato) etc. as they are rarely washed well enough to eliminate the risk (which to non-pregnant people is practically 0 - if you get it you just feel a bit unwell, whereas it can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women).

I was also told that restaurant hygiene is not always spectacular, hence another reason to avoid uncooked veg.

up to 2 small glasses

up to twice a week!

also been eating runny egg!

Didn't fancy either in the first trimester, fortunately I don't like soft cheese anyway. Be moderate and guided by your body and your feelings is my motto, the advice (on everything!) changes like the wind.

I've been eating runny egg, too.
I told the midwife I wasn't going to stop, and that it was all to do with salmonella, and my chickens have been vaccinated.
she totally agreed with me :)
I might not be so sure about eggs that I didn't "harvest" though.

2 units a week if you fancy them. Take a look on Wikipedia for the definition of a unit. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_of_alcohol Take the formula with you and ask what the exact amount of alcolhol is in that drink, taking some margin and then ask to fill your glass to that amount and no more. That can't be too bad, can it?

I'm reading Zoe Williams book "Bring it on, Baby" as recommended by someone on here. In it she dispels a lot of the myths about drinking in pregnancy. The one that caught my eye was that drinking whilst BF is actually more harmful to the baby than drinking whilst pg. Something to do with what's going on downstairs (placenta and all that) filtering out most of the alcohol before it reaches the baby. When breastfeeding there isn't that barrier. Or something.

Anyway personally I haven't given up drinking completely, but I'm certainly drinking significantly less than I did. First 12 weeks once I got the BFP I was uber-cautious mind you.

I'm a bit of a lager drinker in normal life but haven't touched a drop since I've been pg - red wine and cider for me in very small quantities, boy can I make it last these days. Thanks for the tip on the Sainsbury's non-alcoholic wine, whoever that was!

Could anyone recommend a decent non-alcoholic cider?

apple juice?

lol!

@ d0gface - Koppaberg

Dogface - Sainsburys do a very low alcohol cider - less than 1% - it's quite nice

Hi everyone, sorry for jumping on this post. I've just started a blog and covered exactly this topic and all the published science behind the government guidelines, you can see it here

I am a regular mumsnetter but have name changed in this post because my blog gives away too much private information!

Basically the research shows no damage from 1-6 drinks a week and even actually that light drinkers have better outcomes (but the researchers don't conclude that alcohol is beneficial!).

Enjoy

Thanks RugbyWidow7 and ipredicttrouble.