Is one large glass of wine every other night whilst pg ok, or not?

[AuntieSocial]

and if your friend was drinking this much, would you say something, or not?

sorry, expat. I agree with you on the misogynistic nature of maternity care actually. Today, I told the dr at my surgery after I was asked if I had any questions that I had noticed some clear sticky fluid coming from my breasts and I was worried if this was normal. I was then told that I "must be imagining that" as it's too early. I'm bringing my nightshirt in tomorrow as evidence.

I just don't think it really applies to the alcohol argument so much... I wouldn't drink just because I think my dr thinks little of women. I am very affected by the smallest amounts myself and have seen so many abuse it horrendously that when it comes to drinking in pg, just can't do it myself - but, as I said, I wouldn't say anything to someone else - it's up to each individual as to what and how much of anything we put into our bodies.

They admit the guidelines were changed, star, because of the belief that British women don't know how to drink in moderation.

If that's not misogynistic, I don't know what is.

And for the most part, I've not had anything to drink in my pregnancies. I'm mostly sick and don't fancy it.

I had a stout or two and a pina colada in the 3rd trimester with DD1, and a couple of glasses of white wine last in the 2nd trimester with DD2, and I've had a glass of wine and two beers this time round - 24 weeks now.

But if someone feels differently, well, it's her body.

I will agree that it's misogynistic of them to say that.
I just still think it's not good for a developing feotus and lack of evidence that it does harm just isn't good enough for me. I would need concrete evidence that it doesn't harm. I wouldn't want alcohol anyway, though, tbh.

I work with two toxicologists who both say that a little alcohol won't do any harm even in the first trimester.

The Food Standards Agency recommends no more than a glass of wine a couple of times a week and this recommendation is likely to be below what research has shown to be safe (this is me speculating and I don't know the actual level that research has shown to be safe or otherwise).

Drinking wine slowly and with food will also reduce exposure.

The risk really depends on a combination of how much is being drunk, in which trimester and how (i.e. slowly, with food etc).

It really is her decision about how much she drinks and, as HuwEdwards points out, she is aware that she is drinking more than the recommended amount.

RachelG are you a temperance movement activist by any chance?? Sorry but I don't see anyone on this thread "promoting the use of alcohol". As for "discrediting the medical establishment", far greater brains than I have considered the evidence and concluded that there is no conclusive evidence of harm from 1-2 units once or twice a week. See link below:

www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/pdf/alcohol_pregnancy_rcog_statement5a.pdf

Not "passionately defending" any perceived right to the odd glass AT ALL. Just doesn't feel right on a personal level ATM. But I would most certainly defend my right not to be pontificated at...

So does alcohol cross the placenta? genuinely interested, does anyone know?

earlyriser - yes afaik it does

yes it does cross the placenta

(how could it not?)

Expat you've got a memorable name, that's all - so I remember seeing it on the last alcohol thread. I'm too busy to stalk you.

And I'm not a temperance movement activist either. I'm just a GP, who has seen far too many people disregard medical advice and live (or not, as the case may be) to regret it. It kind of affects the way you view the world.

she's right - you do have a memorable name... there aren't others that are close to it.

RachelG as a GP you would know that the medical establishment did not impose the complete abstinence of booze during pregnancy line the department of health did so I am not sure why you think expat is trying to discredit the medical establishment with her stance.

'there aren't others that are close to it. '

There are actually two other members with names extremely close to it and when I came here several years ago, there was another with a similar name, although she's changed hers.

In fact, I considered changing it as there have been instances of others confusing me with another poster.

But similar names are common, as are debates/fracases about who should change her name, if at all.

I'm too busy to remember who posted what, tbh, and for the most part don't care.

Also, I'm not the only person who expressed this point of view on this thread, but if you wish to continue singling me out, feel free to continue.

well then perhaps I'm mixing you up with them! sorry that this works people up so much.

but isn't drinking in pregnancy and drinking whilst breastfeeding different?

I honestly don't know.

Had some stilton a few minutes ago (am b/fing) and had a huge wave of guilt....

It doesn't work me up except when people assert that no other ones even close to my name exist. When they definitely do.

oh my goodness I'm sorry!! Ithought it was a unique name.... jeeez some people would like that, but, obviously, some don't I guess. Maybe I didn't notice the others that are like yours. My deepest apologies. And I mean that sincerely.
If that's what works you up, then I'll be MUCH more careful about how I respond to posts from now on... goodness... thanks for that. I guess I really need to think more about what I say in a reply before I send it.

And I mean that sincerely - not sarcastically at all! I am truly sorry for upsetting you. I should not have assumed that your name was so unique.

'Had some stilton a few minutes ago (am b/fing) and had a huge wave of guilt....'

As you should! That stuff is minging, dog .

So if alcohol crosses the placenta, is the opinion that it causes no harm rather than causing an effect on the baby? As surely it must have a similar effect on the baby (slight tippsiness/relaxation/pain relief??)as it might on the mother. Or am i missing something?

Hi expat! It's hangover, oops I don't mean this, from being pregnant.

Didn't have shell fish, blue cheese, soft cheese or alcohol whilst pregnant.

Wonder if French women get the same advice re: cheeses?

But I'm genuinely not sure about what one can have/not have during breast feeding?

ilovemydog: for b/fing, can highly recommend this site: www.kellymom.com. Lots of useful links and info. and all in a nice non-preachy format, too

Message withdrawn

the main food-borne infection to avoid is listeriosis while pg because Listeria can infect the foetus and the amniotic fluid, harming or even killing the foetus. Listeria is a bacterium that has been found in raw egg, soft cheese, cook-chill foods, pate and even salads. One of the reasons Listeria is so dangerous is because it can survive and reproduce at 4-10 degrees C, which many of the other food poisoning organisms can't. The foods that need to be avoided in the case of Listeria are the ones that can't be cooked to kill it - i.e. soft cheese, pate etc. as mentioned above. And all salads should be washed, even pre-washed ones.
Raw egg can also contain Salmonella, as can shellfish.
Toxoplasmosis most commonly comes from pet faeces but can be from infected raw meat.

None of these are likely to affect breast milk without you becoming ill yourself, and probably not even then.

dammit, forgot the bit about the alcohol - the foetus doesn't have the same capacity as adults for detoxifying the alcohol as their liver won't be mature enough to make the necessary enzymes. So you are relying on your own liver to detox the alcohol for both you and your foetus - if you are a regular low-level drinker, you will always have a supply of the necessary enzymes ready to detox the alcohol quickly.
If you are not, then the liver doesn't necessarily keep the enzymes to hand and will have to manufacture them from scratch, leaving the alcohol free to do more potential damage for longer.
This is why binge drinking is more dangerous than regular low-level consumption.