Pregnancy and alcohol - would you?

Jotter

[QUOTE=flogen

@Jotter - firstly I don't think sipping makes much of a difference - you mightn't feel as much of an effect but it's still the same quantity going through the foetus' system. Secondly, if you're going to nurse a drink for the night, why would you bother at all? What exactly is there to get from one drink consumed slowly?[/QUOTE]

Look I know what you mean and trust me out of the few drinks I did have while pregnant I usually didnt even finish them bec Id be wondering if the baby was ok. Id say i managed to finish 2 full glasses throughout my whole pregnancy. That said it was nice the very very odd time to be out for dinner and have a glass of wine just to sip instead of orange juice, I dont like soft drinks that much and orange juice was the only other thing I drink, id have tonic water the odd time too but you do get sick of the same thing every time and 5 orange huices in a row is pretty sickening!

Im not exactly for drinking in pregnancy, if someone asked me if its ok to have a glass here and there Id say I dont know and I would leave it up to them to decide for themselves. I was with a team of midwives with the odd doctor visit and none of them thought the very odd glass here and there was a problem but they did say its a personal choice as 'the experts' are very much divided on the issue.

Before anyone hops on me for that last comment, Im in no way advocating drinking during pregnancy, Id like another baby and in light of the new recommendation to not drink at all during pregnancy, I probably wont, but I have a 10 mth old thats the same size my 16 mth old nephew, hes walking, trying to talk, trying to feed himself and according to my phn is streets ahead of himself so I can say that the very small amount of alcohol I consumed didnt make any difference to him.

Again Im not advocating drinking during pregnancy, I just think people can be a hyper about the issue when they make out that one glass can scar your baby for life - not speaking of anyone in particular by the way (so please dont hop on me) just people in general.

Steve_o

DaveMcG wrote:

I'm a bloke and don't think women should do it. If I had a spouse and she got pregnant I'd have no problem dropping the booze for 9 months to support her.

Good Man, I think its definitely a no go!

Mrs_Doyle

I'm not pregnant, and I have never been pregnant, but I reckon that when the time comes I might allow myself the occasional drink with a meal, for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, etc.

I don't think that would do the baby any harm, and I would never over indulge.

neuro-praxis

When my ma was pregnant with me over 25 years ago, according to her, she smoked like a chimney and drank like a trooper.

I came out at over 10lbs in weight and have never had any health issues.

Having said that, I spent a bit of time with children with FAS in Africa and so have seen the effects that drinking during gestation can have first-hand.

My sister in law and friend had babies recently and their doctor told them both that the odd glass of wine was ok. I do believe this, but if and when I get pregnant myself I will simply give up alcohol for the nine months, and probably caffeine too. If there is a risk, however small, why take it? Nine months is nothing, and a baby's health is everything.

Giblet

Ask any Doctor. A single glass of red wine is fine.

@Jotter - firstly I don't think sipping makes much of a difference - you mightn't feel as much of an effect but it's still the same quantity going through the foetus' system. Secondly, if you're going to nurse a drink for the night, why would you bother at all? What exactly is there to get from one drink consumed slowly?

Don't leave your day job and persue anything in the medical field.

Anti

Surely a glass of red wine or a glass of guiness isnt bad. I dont mean every week. Like maybe once a month ? Or could that still cause problems?

tallaght01

Giblet wrote:

Ask any Doctor. A single glass of red wine is fine.



.

Except the deputy chief medical officer in the UK and the team of doctors who drafted the new guidelines, which say you shouldn't drink during pregnancy.

simu

My docs told me not to drink anything at all!

NextSteps

I don't think drinking a glass of wine and simultaneously wondering what it's doing to the baby would be much of a fun night out. Better to stay off it - and off lots of other things like cigarettes, drugs, very chemically treated foods, painting, DIY, spraying weedkiller...

Pythia

I think even if one or two drinks is fine, it's easier to not get into the habit of it and just stay off for the 9 months.

flogen

Giblet wrote:

Don't leave your day job and persue anything in the medical field.

I don't intend to, but feel free to enlighten me with your own wisdom all the same.

The Freeman

DaveMcG wrote:

Scumbag

second that statement

Oryx

Ive been pregnant twice, healthy kids thank god. As far as I recall, I had one drink during each pregnancy. (Big occasion each time). It was too much of a guilt trip to drink really. I also didnt take as much as a paracetamol. Personally I dont think one rare drink now and again is something to get hung up on, but actually getting drunk is.

I dont think its something we should police women about, I think most* women have enough sense to take proper care of themselves and their unborn children and you have to respect that.

*of course there will always be the irresponsible twits who get plastered and dont care. But hopefully theyre a minority

embee

I didn't drink during my pregnancy - I just don't think its worth the risk.

Having said that, the idea of alcohol made me retch and heave and the smell of it (I remember being at a wedding when I was 6 months pregnant and having to dash to the bathroom many, many times to throw up) was just gross.

I haven't had any more than three glasses of wine since my daughter was born - last time I drank was about 9 months ago (my daughter is 16 months) and I don't miss it a bit.