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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Having a sip of gin whilst pregnant?

54 replies

CobaltRose96 · 25/12/2018 12:09

Hi all.

I'm currently 29+3 with my first baby and have so far completely avoided alcohol. However, today I had a tiny sip of my partner's gin and tonic and didn't think much of it. However, my partner's mum seemed horrified that I was 'drinking a spirit' when pregnant. Now I'm a little worried Sad

It was the tiniest sip. I understand that alcohol is best avoided in pregnancy and so far that tiny sip of gin is the only alcohol I've had or plan to have. Have any other pregnant ladies indulged a little?

OP posts:
Didyeeaye · 26/12/2018 23:09

I doubt a sip would hurt but a bit worried about the people having pints and saying it's ok. Foetal alcohol syndrome is harrowing reminder of how dangerous alcohol is to a developing baby. I wouldn't risk it.

Mumtobe193 · 27/12/2018 02:40

Im 22 weeks pregnant, I had a few gulps of my partners beer on Christmas Day, just before we headed to the inlaws. I probably would have had a small glass of Buck's Fizz or something were it not for us being at the in laws most of the day, because I know my MIL's reaction would have been similar to yours. Wasn't worth the grief!

It's odd because when I had my DD 3 years ago the advice given to me by my midwife at the time was that once I was past the first trimester it was generally okay to have 1-2 units every now and then, maybe once a month or so? Maybe on a special occasion? I did have a small glass of red whilst on holiday when I was pregnant with DD and that was all!

This time around my midwife has told me no alcohol whatsoever at any time. I would be interested to know, has the official NHS advice changed on this? Or is this just a matter of differing opinions between the midwives I've had?

FrowningFlamingo · 27/12/2018 08:30

Mumtobe the advice has changed but the evidence hasn't. They changed the advice because they said women didn't understand 'occasional' or '1-2 units' Hmm
Silly women...
There was quite a lot about it in the press at the time but it was a few years ago now.
I have several friends who are obstetricians or paediatricians and they have all had small amounts of alcohol during their pregnancies (about a unit a week, generally, but none in the first trimester. Though any I've spoken to about it have said that the studies into it suggest that more than that is fine).
The whole issue makes me quite cross as I feel that the powers that be have decreed that as a sex we are too stupid to weigh up the risks and make a decision for ourselves. So instead of presenting us with actual information and evidence they just tell us not to do it.

DeRigueurMortis · 27/12/2018 13:35

The whole issue makes me quite cross as I feel that the powers that be have decreed that as a sex we are too stupid to weigh up the risks and make a decision for ourselves. So instead of presenting us with actual information and evidence they just tell us not to do it.

Yes - absolutely and it causes some women totally unnecessary stress (like the OP) when they have been perfectly sensible.

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