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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:
paulaplumpbottom · 05/12/2006 17:29

My MIL says she drank 2 gin and tonics everyday she was pregnant with my husband. Can you imagine?

BahHunkBug · 05/12/2006 17:34

Nice, LE, nice.

I wasn't being smug - just surprised that alcohol's necessary for enjoyment, that's all.

But feel free to do whatever it was - gyrating with lighter fluid

custardthedragon · 05/12/2006 17:40

I've weighed in on this issue before (see the thread on Drugs/alcohol in early pregnancy - as i don't know how to do a link to it).

the main point (IMO) with so many of these things is that they are Risk Factors. not certainties. Risks. so you need to decide weather or not a particular risk is too high for your comfort/guilt level. that means getting (and actually being given!) decent, accurate information to allow you to make your own choices. i think we forget that we are not simply incubators in pregnancy. we are still intelligent (and of course fabulously beautiful) women who are capable of rational decision making for ourselves and our bodies.

and also keep in mind that for every story of 'i knew a woman who did...' there is an equal and opposite story of 'i knew a woman who didn't...' so try not to be too hard on each other.

lulu25 · 05/12/2006 17:46

i don't think anyone said "alcohol is necessary for enjoyment". some of us enjoy drinking, but that's not the same thing. it's a legitimate adult pastime - i'm missing fine wine and single malts, not puking in the gutter after too many bacardi breezers.

MerryChristmasfromQV · 05/12/2006 17:46

Goodness me!!!!

Whats wrong with not feeling (or understanding) the need to have a drink in order to have a good time?

How is it smug? Or pious, for that matter?

BahHunkBug · 05/12/2006 17:48

I was musing around the subject.

I have had people say that to me though - perhaps nobody said it in so many words on this specific thread.

I'll start another so Emma whatserface can come and gyrate at me or whatever she wanted to do

dara · 05/12/2006 17:58

Nobody said it was necessary. Some people think it preferable to have a glass of wine of an evening. Me included.

lazyemma · 05/12/2006 18:48

"Whats wrong with not feeling (or understanding) the need to have a drink in order to have a good time?

How is it smug? Or pious, for that matter?"

Because there's a an indefinable air of superiority about people who go around saying that sort of thing. If you can't see it, you're probably one of those people. And, let's face it: drinking "to have a good time" is not all that weird, really, is it. It's probably not paritucarly healthy, but on a scale of out-there craziness - compared to, say, someone having to smear themselves in marmite and leap around on a pogo stick singing "agadoo" to have a good time - it's really quite conventional.

BahHunkBug · 05/12/2006 18:56

But you can't see that it's a pretty sneery thing to say that that's smug?!

Ha ha ha!

lazyemma · 05/12/2006 18:58

I see what you did there.

BahHunkBug · 05/12/2006 18:58

I can totally understand why people enjoy drinking, btw.

But I don't get it when people say they have to have a drink when they go out - that's the difference.

BahHunkBug · 05/12/2006 18:59
MerryChristmasfromQV · 05/12/2006 19:01

So, I'm smug because I dont drink because I dont enjoy it, and cant see the enjoyment of it? WTF?

MerryChristmasfromQV · 05/12/2006 19:03

I mean, lets be honest now, who drank beer for the very first time and thought "fuck me!!!! that tastes blardy lovely that does"?

doormat · 05/12/2006 19:08

I didnt drink with any of mine

lazyemma · 05/12/2006 19:10

"So, I'm smug because I dont drink because I dont enjoy it, and cant see the enjoyment of it? WTF?"

Good grief! No, of course there's nothing wrong with not liking alcohol - that's not what I'm talking about at all, as should be perfectly obvious. I've already explained what I meant twice - if you're still determined to take it personally, go right ahead: knock yourself out.

Pruni · 05/12/2006 19:30

Message withdrawn

MerryChristmasfromQV · 05/12/2006 19:33

"ecause there's a an indefinable air of superiority about people who go around saying that sort of thing. If you can't see it, you're probably one of those people. "

I'm probably one of those people? But I shouldnt take it personally? Okay...

I wont

MerryChristmasfromQV · 05/12/2006 19:35

LOL Pruni I happen to think you are a minority though.........

Pruni · 05/12/2006 19:37

Message withdrawn

TALLULAHBELLE · 05/12/2006 20:35

Was told by m/w last week that they now advise no alcohol at all,{and have also reduced the recommended max for non-pg women too to 6 units a week} .But GP said just 5 weeks prior that no need to deny yourself though didn't put a safe amount to that statement. I think if you followed everything you're not supposed to eat, drink and do whilst pg then life'd be so miserable no-one would ever reproduce again! A little of what you fancy I say!

naughtymummy · 05/12/2006 20:51

I just wish that the NHS could get together to give consistent advice. When PG with dd (now 8 weeks ) abstained for first 12 weeks on advice of G.P. At the scan (KCH) was told could drink after 12 weeks -i said in moderation and i swear the Dr doing the scan said oh after 12 weeks it makes no difference. So i started having 1-2 glases of wine with dinner on a saturday night (not every saturday night)eg;following the 1-2 units 1-2 a week advice. Then at 30+ weeks an obsterician (i work in hospital ) said oh no latest reasearch is no alcohol AT ALL. Confused? Just a bit and I'm a Dr. so good knows how anyone is supposed to make an informed decision. Luckily DD seems fine- but I realy think the least we can do (as healthcare proffesionals)is give women consistent guildline, which i think using the best litirature that is availible must be no alcohol.(Ducks)

naughtymummy · 05/12/2006 20:56

WHAT Tallulahbelle 6 units for non pregnant women WTF in case of undiagnosed pg or what ? Last I heard recommendation was going from 14 to 21 for women

welliemum · 05/12/2006 21:11

Actually I don't think there should be a guideline on this. Guidelines are very dodgy if they're not based on solid evidence.

Until there's better research available, a guideline on alcohol in pregnancy can only ever be opinion.

And frankly, I'd rather be treated like an adult and make up my own mind.

naughtymummy · 05/12/2006 21:24

Fairenough welliemum it's the inconsistency which got me if everyone just said there is no evidence make up your own mind. At least everyone would be saying the same thing, but being told do n't drink at all at booking then drink what you like 12 weeks later is just totally confusing. I think one can say that heavy drinking through out pregnancy is dangerous for the health of your child and totally abstaining is safe. Other than that i agree it is conjecture.I do n't think that having guildline equates to not being treated like an adult btw, as others have pointed out earlier it is unlikely that there will be any better evidence in the future.

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