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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Anyone else told by MW that the ruling is now no alcohol in pregnancy?

157 replies

incy · 04/12/2006 14:15

At my booking in appointment my MW told me the guidelines on alcohol in pregnancy had changed (although still to be updated) and that no alcohol at all should be consumed. Didn't drink at all last time so not a huge concern but wondered if anyone else was told this ?

OP posts:
Piffle · 04/12/2006 14:17

mine has told me no alcohol is advised but that the maximum deemed safe by health bods is 1-2 units not more than 1-2 x a week

Gemmasmummy · 04/12/2006 14:40

Never been told this, but the advice seems to change so often, doesn't it? I think no alcohol at all is a bit strict. A little of what you fancy ... etc. The consensus seems to be 1-2 units, once or twice a week (ie a total of 4, but no more than 2 a day). That's what I've been told and am sticking to it. With that amount you're not going to get bladdered but nor are you depriving yourself unnecessarily - and there are already enough things you can't have in pregnancy!

Gemmasmummy · 04/12/2006 14:40

Never been told this, but the advice seems to change so often, doesn't it? I think no alcohol at all is a bit strict. A little of what you fancy ... etc. The consensus seems to be 1-2 units, once or twice a week (ie a total of 4, but no more than 2 a day). That's what I've been told and am sticking to it. With that amount you're not going to get bladdered but nor are you depriving yourself unnecessarily - and there are already enough things you can't have in pregnancy!

Gemmasmummy · 04/12/2006 14:40

Never been told this, but the advice seems to change so often, doesn't it? I think no alcohol at all is a bit strict. A little of what you fancy ... etc. The consensus seems to be 1-2 units, once or twice a week (ie a total of 4, but no more than 2 a day). That's what I've been told and am sticking to it. With that amount you're not going to get bladdered but nor are you depriving yourself unnecessarily - and there are already enough things you can't have in pregnancy!

Original poster
incy · 04/12/2006 14:52

Thanks both of you, I thought a few drinks in moderation was considered Ok and so was surprised when she said nothing was considerd safe. Perhaps she is being a bit OTT?

OP posts:
HunkerTheInternetPhenomenon · 04/12/2006 14:55

I posted about some research a while back that showed foetuses exposed to alcohol in the womb had more "tremors" than those not. I'll see if I can find it - I think it was that.

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:00

Sounds like a load of pants to me. People have been drinking moderately in pregnancy for donkey's years. And the 1-2 units 1-2 times a week is the "on the safe side" guideline.

Personally, if I go to a Chritmas party and fancy (shock, horror) 3 glasses of Champagne, rather than two, I shall bloody well have it.

Don't plan to knock back any martinis or Long Island iced teas in the near future so don't think the baby is in any danger of foetal alcohol syndrome.

NativityJane · 04/12/2006 15:00

What are tremors? Sorry if I am being thick and should know this already!!

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:03

Incidentally, at my 12 week check the MW asked if I drank and I said, "yes, but have obviously cut down." She said, "as long as it's in moderation and you don't get drunk!" and she laughed.

There was no talk about "how much is moderate". Likewise she skimmed over the foods "banned" list and said I could read up if I wished. (I didn't.)

Original poster
incy · 04/12/2006 15:04

Twelvedays, this is what I thought....Am worried because I was going to have a glass of champers on christmas day (as no longer in 1st trimester) and now I feel awful about it ! Wouldn't mind but I was completely paranoid last pregnancy and didn't touch a drop !

OP posts:
flowertot · 04/12/2006 15:06

I think pregnancy is a time when you 'need' a drink TBH!
What do you honestly think the odd unit here or there is going to do to the health of your baby??

pollypeachum · 04/12/2006 15:10

Incy, I drank a little bit throughout all my pregnancies - in moderation only, probably not in the first three months (or at least not once i realised i was pregnant) and only white wine. I ate extremely well and drank what felt like gallons of water so was never dehydrated. None of my babies had low birth weights, they all had maximum apgar scores and at least one shows signs of being brainy. I honestly don't think that the odd glass or two does any harm provided you are sensible, eat well and keep yourself hydrated.
I completely agree with the comment about pregnany (and thereafter!) being the time when you flipping well need a drink.

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:11

I may very well get pounced on for this, but I can't help feeling that there is too much emphasis on pregnancy and what you can and can't have. It makes it into an illness.

If you're the sort of person who knows what "moderation" means, then I expect you'll be able to listen to your body and know what is right.

So yes I have the occasional drink. I had two small glasses of wine and one glass of champagne on Saturday (wooooooo) and I still eat soft eggs and have had pate twice since falling pregnant. (Double wooooo.)

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:13

Also can't help thinking that the guidelines are there more particularly for those people that don't really understand moderation and for those that perhaps don't have great nutrition and/ or food hygiene...

Original poster
incy · 04/12/2006 15:14

Bless you all - I will have my drink on Christmas day !

Was particularly narked because apparently the Portland clinic sets a limit of 8 units per week in pregnancy and advises a drink a night in late pregnancy to calm BH contractions. Should have gone private !

OP posts:
twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:21

One law for the rich, eh!

As I'm sure I was SUPPOSED to be born wealthy; I shall take the Portland's advice.

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:23

It will certainly make my craving for Baileys a lot easier to handle. Woo hoo!

snowydelight · 04/12/2006 15:24

My (French) MIL thinks the British "no alcohol in pregnancy" notion is very strange and reckons the entire French race would have died out by now if there was a problem - her words not mine! I drank one glass of wine every evening with my dinner throughout my pregnancy with DD, now 3; it was the most pleasant of my three successful pregnancies by far.

AmyP · 04/12/2006 15:25

All these "guidelines" make my head spin. I'm sure women in Japan don't stick to the rule of "no sushi", and I know for a fact that women in France are positively encouraged to drink red wine with their steak. When I was on holiday in Italy and preganant with my first baby I was told by the cab driver that I had to drink lots of expensive red wine, and if I drank cheap stuff the baby would have a sour face, like Chelsea Clinton!!I thought this was a bit harsh on poor old Chelsea, but took his advice!!

satine · 04/12/2006 15:27

What with slowly turning into a beached whale, having to wee the second you think of it, ligaments failing to hold you up properly and maternity clothes being designed by a blind geek, pregnancy is one time when you need the occasional drink. FGS!

twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:30

I love it!

And since the champagne I drank on Saturday was Dom Perignon; I must have KNOWN subconsciously.

Original poster
incy · 04/12/2006 15:31

So it would appear if you are a sophisticated continental type or have forked out £15k for the Portland then drinking is OK - unfortunately nothing doing if you are NHS. No wonder these rules seem complicated !

OP posts:
twelvedaysofchristmas · 04/12/2006 15:33

French women also eat smelly cheese, pate...

Piffle · 04/12/2006 16:09

would be v interested to read Hunkers link re tremors...

paulaplumpbottom · 04/12/2006 16:28

Its the smelly cheese I missed the most in my last pregnancy. French women have all the luck.