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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

a drink a day in pregnancy?

53 replies

Krythia · 31/08/2006 21:10

I am a new member and have joined hopefully for some advice and reassurance from non threatening mums! I am 9 weeks pregnant with 3rd child - have 2 boys of 3yrs and 14 months, and am in Germany with Army husband who is about to go away on operations for remainder of pregnancy and birth. I am currently unable to kick the glass of wine a day habit - positively long for it by 7 pm, after a long day with the boys. I am now tearing myself apart with worry that I have already given baby FAS. Do you think there is any point stopping now?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

liath · 31/08/2006 21:14

As I recall, most of the concern about alcohol is on the effect it has on the developing brain so giving up/cutting down now would definitely be a good idea - I don't think it's a case of all the damage being done by now - it would carry on accumulating throughout the pregnancy.

Wecome to MN & hope that helps.

magnolia1 · 31/08/2006 21:16

I am having my 5th baby and did not give up drinking completely during any pregnancy. Gp and midwife were both of the agreement that a glass or 2 of wine every so often was fine. Maybe not every night but if its just a small glass I really don' tthink you should worry

foundintranslation · 31/08/2006 21:18

Yes, there would be a point to stopping - agree with liath. They do yummy alcohol-free wine in Germany - I know it's not quite the same, but the 'trappings' of the ritual are still there, iyswim.

Where are you in Germany? I'm near Stuttgart.

Original poster

Krythia · 01/09/2006 07:23

Hi there, I'm in Bielefeld - not sure how far away that is from Stuttgard. Thanks for the advice - guess I'll have to try a bit harder! Easier said than doen when DS1 spent yesterday using me as a punchbag and DS2 refuses to be put down!!!!!!

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Spanna · 01/09/2006 13:37

I am on my 3rd pregnancy. I hardly had a drink for the 1st trimester -didn't fancy it - but am now happy to drink a glass or 2 a few times a week. I drank like this (very lightly, for me) through my other 2 pregnancies will no ill effects as far as I can tell. My midwife in my 1st pregnancy said it was fine to have 1 or 2 units every day!! In one of my books it cites a large study (10,000 women I think) where all the women drank up to 8.5 units a week - i.e. at least a drink a day - and there was not a single incidence of FAS. Most of my friends with medical background would agree that light drinking is not known to cause any harm. My doctor said if a drink helps you relax, the alcohol is less harmful than the stress levels.
So CHEERS!

Iklboo · 01/09/2006 13:39

I work with a lot of doctors etc and they all told me that a glass or two of wine a couple of nights a week is fine as you'll feel relaxed. Every night might be a little much - but alcohol free wine is OK - or a white wine with large soda (my drink of choice when pg) and Becks do an alcohol free lager too

Scoobydooooo · 01/09/2006 13:44

I am sorry but i would agree it's time to give up drinking, i think smoking & drinking in pregnancy is a bad thing, why risk the health of your unborn baby? it's only for 9 months i am sure you can give up 9 months of your life for the sake of your babies health.

Scoobydooooo · 01/09/2006 13:44

Goodluck by the way

Piffle · 01/09/2006 13:47

1-2 units 1-2 times a week
Thats one glass 2 x a week
If you are struggling you need to ask for help
Can you water down the content with a wine and soda perhaps?
I was a regular drinker before pregnancy and have teetotalled completely
Yes there is every point in stopping now.

Original poster

Krythia · 01/09/2006 17:18

spanna, I like your logic!!!!

OP posts:

lulu25 · 01/09/2006 17:25

Me too. "Only" 9 months is a f* of a long time and you need to take care of yourself as well as your unborn.

Scoobydooooo · 01/09/2006 17:30

Hmm 9 is not " a F* of a long time" when we live for god knows how many years, it's also not good for your own health let alone your child so in IMO its not looking after yourself either

sallyrosie · 01/09/2006 17:40

Current advice is NO alcohol in pregnancy. What you're describing is regular drinking, not just the odd glass at a celebration for example. A glass of wine you pour at home is probably the size of 2 'units' as well. While its really really unlikely you've harmed your baby (my mum and her generation drank during pregnancy cos no one told them not to) its like smoking - its always worth stopping or at least cutting down.
What about other ways to unwind like a bath or alcohol free/low alcohol drinks?

p.s Becks alcohol free is really nice and very convincing - it cons my brain into thinking I've had a drink...

hunkermunker · 01/09/2006 17:46

This is interesting, I think - how true, who knows - but this sort of article was enough reason for me not to drink while my babies were developing

KathyMCMLXXII · 01/09/2006 18:12

You will NOT have given your baby FAS. There may be minor risks associated with low-level drinking but that's NOT the same as FAS.
Is there any point in stopping - well, stopping might do a little bit of good and won't do any harm.
Should you tear yourself apart with worry - God no!
I didn't drink much at all on my first pregnancy and am drinking slightly more on this one (half or a glass of wine a few times a week) and I accept that not drinking is probably better than drinking, but it's not a major worry to be honest.

CantSleepWontSleep · 01/09/2006 18:21

I'm with Hunker on this one. Similar article here .

Scoobydooooo · 01/09/2006 18:23

I should have written " 9 Months "

squishy · 01/09/2006 18:30

Best of luck, Krythia. As well as trying non-alcoholic or watering it down, perhaps you could try waiting 15 mins more or so in the evening to 'wean' yourself off a bit (it worked for a friend of mine). I think it is well worth you stopping now, you're very early on and it could make a big difference. It sounds like you're worried about having done any 'damage' already, but I think it's never too late to stop.

Original poster

Krythia · 02/09/2006 08:05

thanks to lulu25 and squishy for their support. I am struggling, I admit, but as for asking for help - not that easy in a foreign country when any support group is in the evening and I have no family to look after the children when my hussband is away. Still, I am encouraged by some of the warm messages here, so thanks to all who took the time to reply to me.

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lazyemma · 02/09/2006 09:06

I'm just coming up to 9 weeks and I've stopped drinking completely. I used to be a heavy drinker - at one point, I was getting through a bottle of red most days - so I do understand more than most people how much drinking can become entrenched in your daily routine. But I gave up as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and honestly - even try a week without it, and you might be surprised how easy it becomes with time. I only miss my wine now if I go out to pubs or to dinner.

The other good thing about me giving up completely is that I used to smoke when I drank, so now I'm not tempted to smoke either. Even after the first trimester, I don't plan to drink again because I'm the sort of person who'd find it difficult to stop at one or two glasses, and I don't want to put myself in that position.

ghosty · 02/09/2006 09:11

In NZ the current advice is NO drinking AT ALL during pregnancy.

Original poster

Krythia · 02/09/2006 20:23

have managed tonight without a drink! Every journey begins with a single step.......

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hunkermunker · 02/09/2006 20:24

BRILLIANT! That's great, Krythia!

Thomcat · 02/09/2006 20:26

I didn't drink every single day for the whole 9 months but I drank at least one glass with my meal for at least 3 or 4 days of it.
My midwife said it was fine and I have a very happy, contented little 8 month old DD now.

Original poster

Krythia · 02/09/2006 20:30

thanks hunkermunker! Really appreciate the encouragement

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