Pregnant Bartender -> Trashy??

tessalynw

I've been working as a bartender for the last 2 years at a small local dive bar.  Everyone is excited that I am expecting but I am just concerned that serving beer and working a bar while pregnant might look a bit trashy.  Of course I do not plan on downing drinks when I'm done but once or twice a week I plan on having a glass of red wine or gulping down an O'Doul's when I'm done.  Any opinions? 

YaMrWhite

As far as working at a bar, if its your job and you need it what can you do? 

I frown on drinking during pregnancy so my opinion on that is no. It's just a few months out of your life. Put the wine down. 

luvtakestaime

I agree with the PP. Do what you have to do to support your family. Also, I know it can be hard seeing it all the time (I had to watch DH down three 'ritas last night for his bday), but just wait it out and/or find something to replace your craving for wine during work hours.

rmpar29

I agree that working in a bar is fine during pregnancy, as long as there's no smoking in the bar (depending on what state you are from).  I also agree that drinking alcohol while pregnant is a big faux-pas in my mind.  Check out this website for more information - https://www.babycenter.com/0_drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy_3542.bc  I certainly can't tell you what to do, but is the risk worth a couple drinks a week?

TXUltraRunner

I don't think a pregnant bartender is trashy. If you're worried what people think they will look down on you more for drinking rather than serving

renaewoo

TXUltraRunner said:

If you're worried what people think they will look down on you more for drinking rather than serving

Agreed

tripletoe

I don't think a pregnant bartender is trashy, you still have to pay the bills. Drinking while pregnant is a taboo subject, especially on these boards! There is no known "safe " limit, but my Dr did tell me a half a glass of wine every few weeks in the 2nd and third trimester wouldn't harm the baby, but there are always "what ifs?". With my first I did have a little wine on my birthday and Christmas dinner, I was 7 and 8 months pregnant. It maybe amounted to a glass of wine total through my pregnancy, but I definitely wouldn't have done it early on!

tessalynw

Well keeping opinions on an occasional glass of wine aside, since I obviously disagree, I was just wondering if anyone has ever seen a pregnant bartender because I never have.  I don't NEED the job... I've just been doing it part time because I enjoy it so I could easily quit or find something else.

tessalynw

Although keeping the job includes the benefits of being able to wean in and out of the job whenever I want to.  Not so flexible with other jobs I've looked into!  Thinking about it now I might even get more tips once I start showing!  Bonus.

tripletoe

I know my friends who have been pregnant servers definitely got more tips. Also when their hands got too swollen to wear their wedding rings they got even more tips, lol.

MusicFanatic

I would never even take a second glance at a pregnant bartender. It's just a job. The bartender at a local restaurant we frequent is pregnant, I think nothing of it.. it's how she gets paid.

I'm not really into drinking while pregnant, though.  I'm not at all opposed to occasional glasses of wine at the end of pregnancy (like very end for me), but that's it.  Just not something I'm comfortable with, personally.

drpayne

rmpar29 said:

I agree that working in a bar is fine during pregnancy, as long as there's no smoking in the bar (depending on what state you are from).  I also agree that drinking alcohol while pregnant is a big faux-pas in my mind.  Check out this website for more information - https://www.babycenter.com/0_drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy_3542.bc  I certainly can't tell you what to do, but is the risk worth a couple drinks a week?

If you are going to site a reference, I'm not sure babycenter.com counts.

I assumed you were bartending because you need the money.  the fact that you just think it's fun is kind of weird to me but maybe that's because drunk people annoy me when I'm sober.  That said, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the job.

As far as wine goes, I don't think a glass here and there is a big deal.  A lot of recent studies suggest small amounts of alcohol are not harmful.  However, if you're worried about how people will perceive it I wouldn't habitually drink there after your shift.  That might look pretty questionable. 

dragontears507

As far as bartending, I worked with a pregnant bartender while in college, and if anything, the customers were excited for her and not at all weird about it. She toned down her outfits to be a bit more modest since we worked in an outdoor setting and usually wore shorts and tight-ish tank tops. (Don't judge. You're only 21 once! Haha) 

As far as drinking while pregnant. No no no and no again. I know in my head that one glass of wine here or there is not necessarily going to affect the pregnancy, but I personally think it's an incredibly selfish thing to drink while pregnant. Is a glass of anything really worth the risk to your baby? There are so many things that can go wrong in even a normal pregnancy and so many people praying every day to have children, is it really that hard to give up booze to ensure a healthy child?

That being said, you're gonna do what you're gonna do but know that your customers and employers may feel the same as I do and may not be comfortable with it either. 

tessalynw

Gotcha.  It's not as taboo where I grew up... or even around Omaha so I didn't realize it would be such a hot topic.  I grew up in bars and I know my mom occasionally drank and smoked while pregnant with me and my sister.. and so has my husbands entire family lol!  I'll keep it to myself, thanks for the heads up

MusicFanatic

tessalynw said:

Gotcha.  It's not as taboo where I grew up... or even around Omaha so I didn't realize it would be such a hot topic.  I grew up in bars and I know my mom occasionally drank and smoked while pregnant with me and my sister.. and so has my husbands entire family lol!  I'll keep it to myself, thanks for the heads up

Just because people do things doesn't mean they're supposed to.

AlfiesMOM

I don't see anything wrong with being a bartender. I truly feel bad for any pregnant woman that have to be on their feet all day! I have no idea how they do it!!

As for the drinking, I personally choose not to do it, I figured its a few months and if anything happened I would never forgive myself. That being said I know a few girls who had the occasional glass of wine in their late second and third trimesters who had no issues. I say to each their own, just be smart about how often and when in your pregnancy!