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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

alcohol and pregnancy

73 replies

vivie · 22/03/2004 14:24

Hi,
Does anyone know a sensible limit for alcohol consumption during pregnancy? I realise that ideally one wouldn't drink booze at all, but a girl's got to live...... a bit. Should we drink less early in pregnancy?
Thankyou!

OP posts:
ponygirl · 22/03/2004 14:31

I was advised by a doctor friend not to drink at all in the first three months of pregnancy as this is when all the main development occurs, but that after moderate drinking was fine. Another friend asked her doctor and the gp said "Are you going to get completely trashed every night?" Answer, no. GP: "Then don't worry about it." There are different opinions on this! I would, and did, avoid alcohol in the first three months and after that probably drank a couple of nights a week, but no more than 2 glasses of wine. All 3 of my babes seem fine. HTH

hercules · 22/03/2004 14:33

hth

suzywong · 22/03/2004 14:34

Ponygirl, that is exatly what I was going to say, But I never drank any neat spirits. Not even meths.
The though of going through a pregnancy, especially a second pregnancy without the head-space and fortification of a quiet glass of wine a couple of times a week is mortifying

hercules · 22/03/2004 14:36

and this

ponygirl · 22/03/2004 14:38

Oh yes, Suzy, I meant to say that: I didn't drink any spirits, which as a devotee of G&Ts was quite a sacrifice! Second and third (and more if there is such a thing) definitely require a relaxing glass of vino. Should be on prescription...

Actually, though I'd probably get slated. Now I definitely will!

Crumpet · 22/03/2004 14:44

It took me over 2 months to realise I was pregnant, so I hadn't taken any special steps until then and had definitely had a binge or two which I wouldn't have had if I'd known - after that I worked on the principle that a glass of wine every so often would be fine.

Have a feeling that some countries in Europe think a glass of wine a day is good even during pregnancy

motherinferior · 22/03/2004 15:09

I am happy to say that my booze intake while pregnant - denial and champagne followed by positive pregnancy test on my birthday - made it into the latest Mumsnet book

Seriously, though, a glass or occasionally even two of fortifying red wine of an evening is a necessity IMO (ducks and waits for the fetal alcohol police).

ponygirl · 22/03/2004 15:15

It's OK motherinferior, there's safety in numbers. Phew!

piglit · 22/03/2004 15:16

I agree motherinferior. Unfortunately I haven't been able to drink at all since I became pg - I've found that alcohol of any sort tastes of hot acid!

madgirl · 22/03/2004 15:20

pregnancy police are out there, be careful ladies! i am drinking 1/2 units a week once/twice a week. i cannot , cannot believe that this will be harmful. i am incredibly proud of myself (sorry but it's true) for giving up smoking and shellfish so this meagre amount of alchohol i beg you to condone!

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:26

anyone else had the experience when you;ve been given disapproving looks because you have an alcoholic drink in your hand and a bump?

(I had about 1 or 2 units about twice a week BTW)

dinosaur · 22/03/2004 15:27

No, funnily enough, in fact I get people tutting at me and looking at me as if I am being a fusspot for turning down alcoholic drinks!

madgirl · 22/03/2004 15:27

oh my god yes. i remember going out with dh on my due date with ds and having "a" glass of red wine and getting disgusted looks from the next table. why oh why oh why do people do that??

madgirl · 22/03/2004 15:28

dinosaur you've been drinking a bit haven't you?

Crunchie · 22/03/2004 15:34

katierocket I had even worse in my pg, I went to a restarant on a business lunch and ordered goats cheese salad - with cooked goats cheese (well warmed a bit(!) ) and someone asked me 'should you be eating that' ! I then ordered a glass of red wine to go with it

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:38

I find it incredible that people do this kind of thing. I mean if you're mainlining crack but a glass of wine, a goats cheese salad?!! Made me want to wear a sign saying

"Yes I am a bad mother but I'm pregnant and deserve a treat from time to time. So, err, mind your own business."

Crunchie · 22/03/2004 15:48

Even worse, she was the editor of a pregnancy magazine!!!

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:49

given half the chance she'd probably have had you on her yogic birthing ball practising your breathing exercises.

Crunchie · 22/03/2004 15:53

But she'd never been pg

CountessDracula · 22/03/2004 15:55

Oh god these bloody people! I didn't drink for the first 3 or 4 months at all, then like the rest of you one or two glasses of wine once or twice a week.

When I was about 6.5 months preg we went to New York for a wedding, on the plane I said to dh that I really fancied a Whisky & coke and he said go ahead, treat yourself! We were on American airlines, the stewardess served me the drink and tried to give me peanuts, I said sorry, no thanks and she said "Oh are you allergic" and when I said "No, pregnant" she recoiled in horror, stared at my whisky and stalked off.

We totally pissed ourselves laughing!!! I only drank one half of one of those miniatures! Americans are much much worse about drinking while preg than we are I have to say.

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:55

WHAT?!

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:55

sorry that was in response to crunchie's post not yours CD!

katierocket · 22/03/2004 15:56

In the US the advice is not to drink anything at all I think.

motherinferior · 22/03/2004 16:31

I'll admit it; I drank a glass most nights. Didn't drink spirits as it was easier to have a 'no gin' rule than 'small weak gin' one. My god, that first post natal G&T was one of the most overwhelming experiences of my LIFE, conception included

expatkat · 22/03/2004 16:37

CD & Katierocket, yes the Americans say NO alcohol at all. They are quite inflexible about it. The medical establishment tends still to be patriarchal (even though more women than men seem to be ob/gyns these days) & I can't help but think that the advice to avoid alcohol altogether is geared towards the lowest common denominator of stupidity. . .that is, they are afraid that if they say, "a little alcohol is OK" it will be misinterpreted by some very thick or very addicted women as a green light to drink as much as they want. It's as though the medical establishment there refuses to put any trust in a woman's common sense.

That said, I have read or heard of one scientific report which argues strongly against drinking at all. I think it was a British article.

And that said, I had a drink now and then. Once I had a glass of red wine while dining out in NYC, my first drink in 2 weeks. The waiter looked at my belly, looked at me, and icily went to bar to fetch my wine. Wish I'd had your sense of humor, CD. I was pretty irked at being judged.