Did anyone have a drink or two in third trimester?

[loub91]

Tbh not looking for any backlash or judgment, just trying to understand views. So, I am going on holiday to Rhodes next week which will fall over my birthday and I will be 31 + 6 weeks. Now one of my friends said treating myself to a birthday cocktail or a couple of glasses of wine would be totally okay (I haven't touched a single drop of alcohol throughout and found out when I was 2 weeks as well) and that even having a glass of wine with dinner isn't totally frowned upon.

I even spoke to my midwife and she also said its really not the end of the world to have a glass of wine here and there in the third trimester, but she advised there isn't a "known" amount of alcohol that is deemed safe hence why its not recommended.. but she told me she had some prosecco at a friends wedding when she was in the 3rd trimester so its really down to how I feel about it as well.

And if I'm being totally honest I have been craving a little drink every now and then! I've always been a sensible person but being pregnant throughout the summer has been a bit depressing and I have struggled in the pregnancy quite a lot with various, aches pains, nausea, you name it.. so I can see why I feel like I want to have a cheeky little tipple on hols!

I just want to know if anyone else did this and what your views are (again no nasty judgment please). I feel as though I should be able to enjoy a little drink on my birthday especially as I am on holiday too but I still feel some guilt around it? Any advice or feedback is welcomed🙂

Are you able to fly so late?

I'll probably be accused of being a raging alcoholic but I had a small glass of wine every few weeks in my 3rd trimester. At home though, I didn't have anything on public as I was scared of judgement

No, I decided it wasn’t worth the risk and I wouldn’t enjoy it. It’s not like you’re pregnant forever.

On one hand, in an all inclusive the alcohol content of a cocktail would be minimal, but on the other - I just don't see the point.
I couldn't in all good conscience do something that it recommended to avoid in order to keep an unborn baby safe.

There are plenty of women out there who do have the odd glass without a second thought though.

Yep, you can fly before 36 weeks in an uncomplicated single pregnancy. No issues whatsoever with that

I don't think I would. Especially not in public. Maybe a small glass of wine at home on your birthday. You could drink mocktails? I don't think having no alcohol makes your birthday celebrations any less good or special so I wouldn't bother

Your midwife is right, there's no proper evidence of the impacts of small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy, it's impossible to do that sort of research from an ethically perspective. Suggest 'Expecting Better' book if you haven't read it. I would never judge someone for drinking small amounts, I personally haven't because I am paranoid after having a miscarriage and I know I wouldn't enjoy it - I know I will appreciate it more after the birth! Most of my friends have had small amounts in third trimester though. The NICE / NHS guidance is no alcohol because that's a clear message to give people, not because of evidence.

Why not in public?

Yes, OP, I had a glass of very good champagne on Christmas Day (start of third trimester), and another about a fortnight before my due date, to celebrate a special occasion. Both were exquisite. Both were in public.

No, I'm not a big drinker anyway tbh so it wasn't something I missed, I just couldn't imagine feeling the need to drink whilst pregnant. I think if you wouldn't feed baby breastmilk after drinking then you probably shouldn't in pregnancy.
But I also wouldn't be flying at that stage either so perhaps I'm just over cautious.

Yes.

I had severe hyperemesis and was vomiting up to 20 times a day.

My doctor said eat pretty much what you want as long as you can keep it down and recommended Guinness. I did try Guinness but didn't like it.

No because there was no need too

I did with my second pregnancy. Nothing extravagant maybe half a beer every so often. Baby was due the end of the summer so I definitely did not feel guilty about enjoying the odd cold beer at the end of a hot sticky day!

Actually you are allowed to drink when breastfeeding, I was advised this by a breastfeeding nurse when I went on my hospital tour as I was worried about drinking champagne at xmas this year - you shouldn't get blackout drink of course, as thats just reckless but there is a lot of misinformation on this and she said it often scares new mothers when it really isn't a problem!

Also flying in an uncomplicated single pregnancy before 36 weeks is perfectly safe.

I have had the odd glass of wine but I don't think I'd chance a cocktail because they use spirits. Just something I have in my head that spirits is worse than wine 😅

Yes, of course. I had a small glass of wine/champagne on my birthday, at Christmas, and a couple of other times when I happened to feel like it in both pregnancies. As did pretty much everyone else I know, all of whom were scrupulous about dietary and risk advice.

I had a half pint of Guinness the week DC1 was due.
He's all grown up and working as an architect. He survived the half pint!
Funnily enough, I was never a drinker, ever.
But I had this mad craving, late pregnancy, for a Guinness, which my Irish mother declared was my anaemia talking to me. She's probably right. She's kinda 'witchy' that way.

As for having a cheeky glass of wine, that's up to you. I'd start and stop with one though, in all honesty. If for no other reason than to avoid the anxiety and guilt that might grip you after that second glass. You'll worry. And it's not worth the worry.

I have this mindset as well.
Not that I'm a big drinker even when not pregnant, but on the very rare occasion I might have a small glass of red wine or half a lager but I won't touch spirits.

Thanks for your feedback! I think honestly I feel more guilt due to over the top judgements and social pressure! I think I may just treat myself to a nice cold glass of wine with my dinner on the beach 😀

That makes total sense to be honest, and a few of my friends said they had a glass or red or white wine towards the end especially if it was a nice occasion!

Fuck everyone else! You do you! For all they know it could be a 0% glass of something!

My MiL was advised to have the odd half-pint of Guinness throughout her pregnancy with DH in mid-1970s for precisely that reason!

Oh god that sounds awful for you! My sister had very horrible HG in her pregnancy too - thank you for your feedback though, its good to get a clear picture of what other women have done in their pregnancies!

Personally, no. If anything had gone wrong afterwards I would have blamed myself.

I had a glass of champagne at a friends wedding at 39 weeks pregnant. Its down to personal choice really. I didn't feel guilty about it. It was a special occasion and I didn't have anything else (even when trying) before that.
I did get one waiter refuse to serve me but another did.

I know right?! Honestly I see so many new mothers get absolutely crucified for asking simple questions - we need to remember to support each other through what is considered a really hard time and I dont feel like I'm a monster or unfit mother for wanting a glass of wine on hols lol