WIBU to have half a glass of champagne on Christmas Day

[PineconeK]

I'll be 10wks by then.

Acceptable as a one off indulgence or a silly risk?

God how miserable would a caffeine free pregnancy be!!! I was very anxious first time round (not so much the second, it's lovely!) and even I was happy to stick to the 200mg a day limit of caffeine. If it's advised it's safe by the NHS, you know it's 110% safe as they aren't exactly risk takers (currently grumpy and fed up with all the rules as I've got sinusitis and have been told just stick to paracetamol).

It's surprising what people think you can't have though. At a fancy hotel afternoon tea the waiter tried to stop me having smoked salmon sandwiches (100% safe according to NHS website) and egg mayo sandwiches. 90% of the eggs in the UK are pasteurised, I can't imagine this hotel had their own chicken coop out the back somehow...

@halfbloodprincess

The aldi alcohol free fizz does it taste like Prosecco or more sweet and grape-y? (Still getting over the disappointment of the alcohol free red wine I had a recommendation for).

It’s really nice and not sickly sweet at all. It’s obvious it’s not an actual Prosecco but not in a bad way iyswim. I tried the Sainsbury’s one and it was just like a schloer but triple the price 🤮

I was just about to recommend the same. I gave up alcohol for health reasons this year and after trying all sorts of alcohol free wines, the Aldi 'Zero Point Zero' stuff is the least sweet out there.

Omg am i not aloud christmas pudding

I was ten weeks last Xmas and had two small glasses of fizz few hours apart. Baby now 20 weeks and really healthy.

Really not worth it in my opinion especially that early I think best if you really want to call your midwife team and get their expert advice but the stance on drinking is there for a reason and therefore I would not risk it there's lots of non alcoholic beverages out there and once baby's born pour yourself a glass then

Does anyone know the actual scientific risks/implications of drinking when pregnant, specifically in the first trimester?

Some people say 'don't worry if you have had a few in your first trimester as it wont have an effect' and others say that the first trimester is the worst time to have a drink due to development... (not helpful when you didn't know you were pregnant!!)

I am, as yet, undecided on drinking a small glass at Christmas myself, currently 9w.

In my pregnancy last year, which ended in a MMC and ERPC with NYE in the middle, I was allowed to drink as I was just waiting for the operation. However I still had nearly full pregnancy hCG levels and the alcohol really didn't agree with me or taste like I remembered. It wasn't very pleasurable! So I think you might be surprised by how it tastes, OP.

On the science, I gather the Chief Medical Officer or someone takes the line that, because we can't prove alcohol is safe, we have to assume it might not be.

On caffeine, I thought I saw a study reported in the press recently about no amount being safe (Dublin or Durham uni?). Has anyone come across that?

I would but be warned, it might taste like guilt . I only had two drinks in my first pregnancy because knowing I was pregnant ruined it! Second time round I was more relaxed and actually enjoyed the odd glass of red.

@petra22 the risk of harm is zero. Literally zero.

@YorkieGirl18 I think it varies depending on where you are in the first trimester. And also, no one really knows. You might find this an interesting read.

expectingscience.com/2016/02/10/light-drinking-during-pregnancy-7-things-you-need-to-know/

I didn’t drink during the first trimester, but there’s no way I could stomach alcohol anyway because I found the thought repulsive as I was constantly nauseous!

In the second trimester I’ve had the occasional small beer/Guinness when I’ve fancied it and don’t see a problem with that at all! I wouldn’t judge anyone else doing the same either. It’s my birthday this weekend and we’re going out for a nice meal, I won’t be having a glass of wine with it but that’s because I have quite a large bump already (for 25 weeks) so I am noticeably pregnant and worried about what other people eating there or staff might think if there’s a pregnant woman drinking wine! However I will be having a glass on Christmas Day x

Eek. I was reassured and now I feel very unsure.

I understand the 'don't risk it' mentality, but then it does feel like there's virtually no risk in half a glass. But then if I'll worry what's the point? I do work in mh and I can't believe one glass would prompt fasd. I have never met anyone with this condition in my 10 year career despite many of my client group having awful childhood circumstances.

I'm happy to drink non alcoholic fizz currently and throughout my pregnancy. I guess having a teeny glass on christmas is more so I don't feel deprived? It's hard to express. Christmas is strange!

I think I'd be quite pleasantly surprised to hate the taste as I wouldn't feel I'm missing out

There was a discussion about this on woman’s hour earlier this week - it was about feral alcohol syndrome.

Shockingly they said the UK has the fourth highest rates of drinking in pregnancy in the world, and that of those who drink in pregnancy (74% of women admit to drinking some alchohol), 24% do so to binge levels.

They talked about the impact of drinking in pregnancy as alcohol passes the placenta.

Also - the chief medical officer came out last year to recommend no drinking in pregnancy at all. This is after Emily Osters book (and she’s not a scientist or doctor.)

I think each woman needs to make her own choice but be aware of potential risks that are largely unknown. I am 24 weeks and I’ve had about an inch of red wine on a few occasions but chosen not to drink the rest of the time.

I think the risk is low especially if it's only a little amount... I'm no expert though! I had a small gin when I was pregnant & spent the next 4 days with really bad acid reflux. I find non alcoholic versions are just as good as the real thing. I guess it's up to you and as long as you're not having a heavy session it shouldn't be too bad. You may find that morning sickness has kicked in by then and you might not even want a drink

I probably wouldn't in 1st trimester.

Hang on, what is wrong with Mr. Whippy?

Personally no I wouldn't but I worried about everything in pregnancy anyway, and I wouldn't see the point in such a tiny amount of alcohol, I'd rather just not have any.
But it is your pregnancy and I'm sure you're sensible enough to weigh up the risks, so if you really wanted it I can't see it doing any harm.

No I won't be and I am in the second trimester. My rule has been not to do anything that if, god forbid, something went wrong, I would be upset with myself for. It would be nice to have a drink at Christmas, but it's one day, and I would rather be cautious.

It's fine, just stick to no more than one unit once or twice a week.

I wouldn't but that's because I'm paranoid about everything.

I'm sorry for you having Christmas at 10 weeks as I wanted to die I felt so ill. Fizz was the last thing on my mind!

However, if you really want it it seems a very low risk. I wouldn't, plenty do.

I'm going to be 34 weeks on Boxing day and was thinking about a wee glass - the nagging from my husband not to makes it no so worthwhile though. I had some pate a while ago (can't remember if it was 1st or 2nd trimester) and it wasn't worth the anxiety and guilt afterwards. And now I've just lay on my back in the bath and am feeling guilty/anxious. In terms of @petra22's comment "why would you even risk it?" - i've been thinking about this, as before I was pregnant I thought the joy of bringing a child into the world would outweigh missing all of these luxuries, but the reality is I still get tempted , despite a previous loss :( Lots of things carry some degree of risk.... have you cut out caffeine - does that include all the caffeine you get from chocolate? Do you eat fish for the benefits or avoid it because its full of plastic and mercury? Do you drink untested herbal teas? Do you have too much sugar? Its a minefield!

Perhaps useful in supporting your decisions....

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/alcohol-medicines-drugs-pregnant/

www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/drinking-in-pregnancy-guidance/