Alcohol in pregnancy

[Mog]

Just wondered what people thought about this. I didn't have any first time round but I'm being a bit more relaxed with the second pregnancy - odd beer at the weekend. Do people think it a definite no-no or is some acceptable?

I may be an odd one out here, but I also drank odd beers and wines while pregnant (very very infrequently first trimestre, maybe twice a week after). The doctor didn't seem to think it was a problem - she ticked the "non-drinker" box when I said I had a couple of glasses of wine some days)

As it goes many (in fact I think all, but someone mey correct me on this) of the studies which show that alcohol can have a detrimental effect on the unborn baby were in fact carried out on alcoholic women who were hospitalised through alcohol poisoning at some point in pregnancy. "Fetal alcohol syndrome" is certainly associated with heavy drinking, not casual.

I read an article recently in which the writer used the above to argue that all this mustn't-do-this,mustn't-do-that stuff in pregnancy is in fact a form of control over women by the establishment. I wouldn't go that far, but you're certainly not alone!

I drank whilst I was pregnant. Not to excess, but I would have a couple of glasses of wine with my tea and maybe a pint of Guinness whilst we were out. I stuck to red wine and Guinness as I thought at least they are partially good for you!

I did read that alcohol in moderation can be good for the baby as it increases the oxygen levels in your blood.

I never got any hassle from ordering drinks whilst pregnant. I know some people have been refused at pubs, which is just ridiculous, although obviously if a pregnant woman is overdoing it they should say something. I also read that a group of breastfeeding mums in France were reported to the authorities for sharing a bottle of wine whilst feeding their babies!!!! I think you should just be sensible about it.

During my first two pregnancies just about the only no-no was smoking. By the time I was pg with Nos 3 & 4 there were whole raftloads of "Things Pregnant Women Must Not Consume."

I think this is one of those issues in which we need to use common sense. An occasional drink isn't going to harm a baby, I feel sure, the same as the occasional paracetamol for a headache won't do any damage.

Lucy123, that is certainly an interesting theory. Maybe it is the (mainly male) establishment's subconcious reaction to women escaping from the kitchen sink!!

Mog, I think the contradictions on alcohol while pregnant are particularly for the 1st trimester and in large amounts. In both my pregnancies I completely avoided alcohol (and caffeine, painkillers, etc.) during the 1st trimester. After that I probably averaged a few drinks a week. I found that particularly later in the pregnancy it calmed my baby down enough at night to let me get a few hours sleep. None of my doctor's american or english suggested that I was harming my baby.

Just to say that the 'official' recommendation for alchohol intake during pregnancy is no more than a couple of units a week, regardless of gestation - just so you know.
Saying that, even just a few years ago, it was believed that 'up to ten units per week' was acceptable, so the advice has changed quite dramatically in this time.
I would echo tho' what others have said - its all about being sensible, and drinking in moderation. The odd drink will be fine.

I drank too , though not to excess, in fact I shared a bottle of wine with the midwives one night prior to delivery ! For me - the heavy drinking's kicked in since giving birth

I didn't drink any alcohol during either of my pregnancies nor when breastfeeding BUT have made up for it since. When I was in France and very obviously, ie more than 6 months pregnant, waiters were very surprised when I refused wine at dinner, even when I told them why.

Havnt drank with either pregnancies, the odd guiness while breastfeeding, but only when ds was nearing one and not feeding as much. Although had a glass of sparkling wine while pregnant with ds as it was our wedding and another this time round at my cousins wedding, rebel.

Couldn't stand the smell or taste first pregnancy but had a glass of white wine a night whilst b/f (I'm sure my Miriam Stoppard book practically insisted!). 2nd pg I think I probably had a glass more nights than not though occasionally didn't fancy it. My doctor also said you'd have to be an extremely heavy drinker for it to have any effect on the baby. I'm now well back on the white but dd2 is now 2y7m and I still can't bring myself to drink red wine though, ever since 1st pg, and like sobernow I used to drink vats of both before!

I went off red wine as well after having baby no. 1. Wonder what causes this? My midwife suggested I drink Guiness and eat Mars bars while breast feeding (in addition to a healthy diet of course!). So I was happy to oblige as you can imagine.

When my mum had me (30+ yrs ago) she was kept in hospital due to high Bp and every night was allowed to get a stout from the fridge.
I'm just like Mog, much more relaxed about alchol this time around. I think I can have up to 2 units twice a week. Mind you last time I really couldn't stand the taste anyway.
On a bottle of wine my DH bought from the Coop it actually said that pg women could drink a certain number of units of alcohol a week. I don't think alcohol should be encouraged in this way. Any comments

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I drank a glass or two of red wine a week. Before going on holiday the baby was measuring very small (6 months) but after holiday and I must admit, a glass of red wine every night, she was much bigger. DD is an unbelivably strong child, I like to think it was the helpful glass of red wine

mmm..wine...I would happily drink a glass of red wine a couple of times a week (currently 33 weeks pg) but unfortunately indigestion prohibits it now - and Honeycomb Aero eating has also been affected by this

That's no good Enid ! Have you got anything to substitute Honeycomb Aero and wine with that are equally as divine but definitely more tolerable?

not yet...but I'd be grateful for any suggestions - have tried double deckers and snickers crunchy but they are just as bad

Drank a single glass of wine when out, which fitted in with my role of designated driver. At the beginning I think that was the biggest giveaway about my new condition!!

Was on a Mums and Tots outing and couldn't believe it when two of the pregnant Mums lit up in the car park on arrival. Not only surrounded by small children (OK I know it was outside) but pregnant. But thats just me being extremely judgemental, I'm afraid.

Didn't drink in the first 3 months. (Don't think I felt like it and remember being really thirsty.) But after that used to enjoy the occassional glass of wine or beer. Gave up the G&Ts!

My own view was that it's made of grapes and beer is made of hops so it's got to be good for you... it's fruit and stuff isn't it

I even went to a wine tasting with a group of girl friends when I was about 7 or 8 months pregnant. Probably had 1 glass of wine in total all night but was enjoying the company etc and had a sip of most. You should have seen the faces as I went up to get a taster of each. And one very interfering server, told me " You really shouldn't drink too much!" Made me laugh...

Enid I eat Star Bars, have you tried them

I guess I had 3 glasses wine/week for most of my 1st pregnancy, maybe 1-2 glasses/week for some of my 2nd pregnancy. Pregnancy is so hard anyway... takes over the body and in my case seems to require months of sickness (when nothing stays down). Gotta worry about cheese, tuna, liver, cat litter, cafeine, gardening, any over the counter medicine & so much else. Alcohol in small amounts is one of the few pleasures left.

So glad to read this thread. I too couldn't stay away from wine altogether - it just felt too much as if I wasn't me anymore. I only ever had one or two tiny glasses at a time, and only twice a week at most - except on holiday when 7months pg and I had a tiny glass every night. No g&ts though. the lack of hangovers was nice, esp as I have one today. Red wine - aaaargh!