I know it's been done a million times - alcohol in pregnancy - anyone got any links to actual research?

[BigBellasBeerBelly]

I have been trying to find out some actual recent research on the effects of alcohol in pregnancy, various amounts and in the different trimesters.

I know the various advice from govt/NICE ect ranging from no alcohol at all to one or two units once or twice a week after the first trimester. Also people are advised not to binge (7.5+ units in one sitting) which I hadn't come across before. (I mean I had never heard that, not that I previously thought bingeing was OK!).

What I am interested in is the research that this comes from. It all seems conflicting and a lot of it is old - with some research showing that moderate amounts may be good for boys, and so on.

I'm not really interested in people saying "safest is none" because, while true, what I'm interested in is the actual risk for people who choose to have more than none, or are eg alcoholic and find it impossible to stop.

And I'm not getting very far googling!

nolongerchunky posted this on an earlier thread:

"every time there is this debate on mn I post

this link

so I have again.

hope it's interesting/useful/stops a few people beating themselves up

---

It is an article rather than research but it does quote research sources so you may be able to find what you're looking for by Googling for those.

Thank you nekabu (and chunky!) I will have a read.

Excellent article - raises a lot of questions about why we are fed unsubstantiated scary nonsense when pg - but that's another thread.

Thanks again

I found this recent paper which is an Australian study of drinking in pregnancy. If I understand correctly - no risk of preterm labour or growth retardation with low levels of alcohol which are defined as less than 7 standard drinks per week with no more than 2 standard drinks on any one day.

Incidentally, this level of alcohol consumption is in line with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for alcohol consumption in pregnancy! As opposed to our government guidelines of 'Drink at your own peril'

Link here

Thanks nimsy I saw that one. I think that once they had adjusted for maternal smoking it said that none of the conclusions were statistically relevant - ie that there was no correlation as far as they could see between low/moderate drinking and low birth weight.

I wonder why there aren't more studies so people actually know what's what. it's as if people want to be extremely prescriptive in what pg women can and can't do...

All i can add is that i am a 'drinker' - and can drink ALOT of wine and Gin / Vodka and feel no after effects. I drink maybe 5 or 6 nights a week.

I was / am like this both before and after my DSs. But not while pregnant. I used to allow myself the first inch of DHs pint - that was it.

I felt very proud of myself at the time and felt i was looking out for them if that makes sense. That's 18 months of my life spent not drinking - not alot in the long run.

NB: I don't drink now irresponsibly with my boys.