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Pregnancy

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

One or two small drinks while pregnant on holiday?

43 replies

Zaplolly · 02/05/2018 14:35

Hi everyone!
My partner and I have just booked a gorgeous holiday away, which may be our last for a little while!! At the time we go I will be 14-15 weeks pregnant....
Is it ok to have a small white wine spritzer or glass of sangria while away? (Please don't judge!) BlushWine
Thanks!! Xx

OP posts:
blaaake · 02/05/2018 19:04

Chances are the baby will be fine but what's the point if you're only having one? I like a drink but I don't see what you'd gain by taking all that risk for just a glass?

Wildlingofthewest · 02/05/2018 19:05

Yes, you will be fine! The odd drink won’t do the baby any harm what so ever! Have a lovely holiday!!!!

SVRT19674 · 02/05/2018 19:22

Had a small glass of champagne for a special occasion last week and a liqueur sized glass of white wine yesterday. Rest of the time stick to non alcoholic beers and soft drinks.

Flutist · 02/05/2018 19:26

I didn't think it was worth the risk, however small, just for a drink. I figured if I couldn't stop drinking for nine months for the health of my child then I obviously had a problem.

Strokethefurrywall · 02/05/2018 19:41

I didn't think it was worth the risk, however small, just for a drink. I figured if I couldn't stop drinking for nine months for the health of my child then I obviously had a problem.

Congratulations on your thinly veiled judgement, and a round of applause for being a superior human being - Bravo!! Star

hystericaluterus · 02/05/2018 20:10

I am always amazed at the cultural attitudes towards drink in this country.

None of my continental friends drank when they were pregnant and as far as I can tell the national guidelines in respective countries say that alcohol during pregnancy is not advised.

It’s a platitude to say that it’s your choice. Of course it is. But it would not be my choice. But then again I can have fun/ relax without drinking.

Midthreademergencynamechange · 02/05/2018 20:49

What are the "national guidelines" in "respective countries" ?

Smellyjo · 02/05/2018 20:59

Not judging you at all, plenty of people do and the guidelines have changed in various ways over the years so it's natural there are lots of different views on it. But I wouldn't - to me I think I'd never give a newborn baby alcohol, so why would I give some to a baby inside my body? Alcohol does cross the placenta. Hope you have a fab holiday!

muffyduffster · 02/05/2018 21:03

Echo to read Expecting Better, great evidence-based research in the book. I'm 21+1 and the only drinks I've had have been three half glasses of chianti in Italy on holiday at Easter with my dinner, but it's more because I totally get out of the habit if I don't drink regularly and I lose the taste for it a bit!

Lifeaback · 02/05/2018 21:12

but then again I can have fun without drinking

I don't think by the OP wanting to have a singular drink to celebrate being on holiday means she can't have fun without alcohol. Get down off your high horse ffs.

Through all four of my pregnancies I have had a small glass of wine (topped up with soda) on my birthday. All four of my daughters are healthy and were absolutle textbook babies so no damage done at all. I think as long as it is just the one weak drink and isn't a regular thing and also as long as it is after the reccomended date (think it's 14 weeks?) then you are okay. As others have said though, it still involves some level of risk so it's a personal choice and no one on here can tell you it's right or wrong.

Enjoy your last childless holiday!

Tattybogle89 · 02/05/2018 21:20

Why do people post and ask this. Will it make you feel better about it if a bunch of strangers told you they had a drink when pregnant?
If you want to and in turn risk harming your baby go ahead. You don’t need permission

RippleEffects · 02/05/2018 21:24

My eldest DS is severely disabled (Autism). Before I knew I was pregnant we'd been on a whiskey trail. I hadn't really been able to tollerate any drink or eat anything which led to me testing and finding out I was pregnant.

Having a disabled child comes for me with some guilt and there's always been that nagging doubt - did I do something wrong.

Medically, I've been told numerous times, the odd sipp, because that is litterally all I'm talking about, would have made no difference but that little guilt complex is still there.

Statistically though, chances are everything will be fine if you do. Have a fab holiday.

MaryPeary · 02/05/2018 21:31

Until recently, the UK guidelines were that one or two drinks, one or two times a week, was absolutely fine. The change in guidelines, AFAIK, was because people tend to kid themselves about how much they're drinking, and nobody wanted to be liable for that. There has never been any evidence that a small amount of alcohol was harmful, but on the other hand, nowadays we don't really have evidence to say that it's not. It's a change of emphasis.

Here, for example, are the [ www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg62/chapter/1-guidance#lifestyle-considerations UK guidelines from 2008] :

1.3.9 Alcohol consumption in pregnancy
1.3.9.1 Pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy should be advised to avoid drinking alcohol in the first 3 months of pregnancy if possible because it may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. [2008]

1.3.9.2 If women choose to drink alcohol during pregnancy they should be advised to drink no more than 1 to 2 UK units once or twice a week (1 unit equals half a pint of ordinary strength lager or beer, or one shot [25 ml] of spirits. One small [125 ml] glass of wine is equal to 1.5 UK units). Although there is uncertainty regarding a safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy, at this low level there is no evidence of harm to the unborn baby. [2008]

1.3.9.3 Women should be informed that getting drunk or binge drinking during pregnancy (defined as more than 5 standard drinks or 7.5 UK units on a single occasion) may be harmful to the unborn baby. [2008]

SarahSiddons · 02/05/2018 21:34

Well I did. Enhanced my holiday (one drink a night max) and my children are fine. Maybe depends on your attitude to risk and how you’d feel if something went wrong with the pregnancy and/or your child was born with a health condition.

shmivorytower · 03/05/2018 11:25

@Midthreademergencynamechange

From the official German website. They government advises not to drink alcohol at all during pregnancy.l, because it crosses the placenta and risks are difficult to calculate.

https://www.kenn-dein-limit.de/alkohol/schwangerschaft-und-stillzeit/alkohol-in-der-schwangerschaft/

The Italian government has the same guidelines

http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C177opuscoliPoster1011ulterioriallegatiulterioreallegatoo1alleg.pdf

My linguistic knowledge does not allow me to look for sources in other languages.

Now, of course we are entitled to take all official guidelines with a pinch of salt, but I personally don’t think that it is a coincidence that in a country where there is so much pressure to drink, there is a wider tolerance for drinking during pregnancy.

Fluffybat · 03/05/2018 14:01

I had a glass of prosseco at new year and one on Christmas day. I think as long as it is only occasionally it's fine. Enjoy!

Alanares89 · 03/05/2018 15:13

I’m just back from Tenerife! At 10 weeks, And I did have a Bacardi breezer but a felt bad. I found not drinking made my holiday one off the best ever holidays, I felt fresh (minus the morning sickness) and liked the long walks! Usually I go on holiday to drink my weight in vodka, but honestly, drink never entertained me much, I was so thirsty due to the heat I really appreciated a nice cold water or smoothie! But your decision what you do :) have a great holiday

Sunflower2018 · 03/05/2018 19:51

It's not like you are considering sky diving or caving! I think one should be ok. Personally I wouldn't, as much as I am dying for a cocktail but each to their own and I'm sure one won't be an issue! Have a lovely holiday! X

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