When is it okay to have a glass of wine

jujo16

So with my first son, there were no soft cheeses, no alcohol and by my 3rd (5 years after being pregnant with my first), my ob was telling me to have a glass of wine at the end to help me get some sleep. I feel like since my first, having a glass of wine has become much more commonplace, but I feel like I have all the rules of my first in my mind - since that's the one you really do all your "research" with. My husband and I are going to dinner tonight and I would love a small glass of wine. I am only 11 weeks though. Am I supposed to at least wait until the 2nd trimester? That's what I am thinking, but secretly hoping you ladies will tell me it's okay

ChristyM87

It is really what you are comfortable with. I am 10 weeks and know that one small glass is probably fine, but I am waiting until the second trimester. That being said, that doesn't mean that is the right decision for you

ELauren88

It's all about your own comfort level, and if you want to ask your doctor first.
Personally, if I choose to partake, I wait until second trimester.
Also, there as a thread similar about champagne on new year's that might help you out with everyone's personal opinions. Should only be about one page back. :-)

jgrace82

I had wine in my first trimester, I'll have wine in my second and wine in my third. Not a huge glass, but a good taste. Comfortable with it and so is my SO and OB.

jujo16

Great. Thanks! Totally get that it's my comfort level, but I was just curious what the general consensus is of when it might be safe to have a small glass of wine. With my first, my OB told me alcohol was not okay in any trimester, but things seem to change with every baby I have. So it seems like in general, 2nd trimester is okay? I will look for the champagne thread. I saw it the other day, but didn't see anyone saying how many weeks they are. I am at the end of July, so not as far along as others on here.

mlthur02

I'm 10 weeks right now, and while I haven't had a full glass of any alcohol since finding out that I'm pregnant, I have had little bits here and there (like a 1/4 of a glass of wine with dinner, just to taste). I feel comfortable that such a small amount isn't going to negatively affect my baby, especially when you read all of the information out there on it. I just remind myself that people have been having babies for millions of years, and, as long as you're careful, we're really not as fragile as the panic-inducing baby books suggest.

yelah250

I had a few sips of champagne at my cousins wedding and a couple sips
Of wine here and there in my 1st tri. Small amounts are fine...I'll probably have a small glass in my 2nd or 3rd tri when I'm actually feeling a bit better at night.

MisSmartyPants

I think it is a personal decision. Interestingly enough, I sort of crave wine, but decided not to have any booze during the whole pregnancy. I do eat deli meat and everything else not allowed by my doctor. DH won't let me have sushi though :-\

ccarrozza1

I do believe in moderation. I think one glass of wine is not going to hurt you. Usually they say wait till second trimester but it's up to you. Our parents didn't worry about all these rules of what to eat or not to eat and a lot of our parents drank and smoked and we turned out ok.

Being happy and relaxed is also important. I myself don't feel the desire to drink but will have a glass or half glass on special occasions. I just like to not feel like I am left out so if I have a small glass, even if I don't drink it, it makes me feel better. And I was a total wine freak before getting pregnant. Now I'm just meh ok. Taste buds change when you are pregnant.

picklesandwich

I really do believe there is no safe amount. I can't say I follow all the rules, I drink coffee here and there blah blah blah, but I truly believe if you can do what ever you can to make sure your baby has the best chance in life, to help them grow and develop in the best way possible, why wouldn't you? I wouldn't risk it for a glass of wine.

law&order

Personally, I don't drink during pregnancy save for some tiny sips of DH's IPAs. I did read a WSJ article that said it's ok to "Drink like a European adult, not like a fraternity brother" which is probably a good policy whether pregnant or not ;-)  

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323514404578652091268307904 

Laurie12820

I had about 3 big sips worth of wine at Christmas dinner.  That's about as much as I'm comfortable with at this point.  With that said the NP at my OBs office said that 2-3 oz on a special occasion is okay.

Beachy730

I had a small glass when out to dinner at 9 weeks. I drank it over the course of at least an hour while eating a ton of food. I personally was comfortable with that, but obviously not everyone is.

Young_Love

I was all set to have a glass of champagne at the NYE wedding we went to...but there was no champagne to be found! Not even for the toast! (They thought it would be fun to toast with jello shots, which everyone else really enjoyed.)

WafflesFriendsWork

I'm personally waiting until the third trimester and then it may only be to help me get some sleep if needed. I'm surprised that I don't miss it at all. For whatever reason it just doesn't appeal to me right now.

That being said, I can't wait to strap with baby into a carrier and head to a vineyard come fall.

wells2010

I almost ordered a beer last week when I was waiting at a restaurant. It's like I forgot I was pregnant! 

Anyways, if I liked wine more, I'd probably indulge in 3rd tri as long as my heartburn was at bay.

usermovedon

If you're interested in some data to help you make a decision check out the book Expecting Better. The author is an economist who reviews peer reviewed studies from across the world and gives odds on a lot of different pregnancy recommendations. Based on the book, my midwife's advice and my own conscience I've enjoyed a glass of red with dinner about once a week the last few weeks. Sipped slowly and enjoyed...very relaxing and normalizing. For me, at least.

law&order

mtsue said:

If you're interested in some data to help you make a decision check out the book Expecting Better. The author is an economist who reviews peer reviewed studies from across the world and gives odds on a lot of different pregnancy recommendations. Based on the book, my midwife's advice and my own conscience I've enjoyed a glass of red with dinner about once a week the last few weeks. Sipped slowly and enjoyed...very relaxing and normalizing. For me, at least.

She wrote the article I linked above. It's interesting for sure!

usermovedon

D'oh @lawandorder‌, I missed that!

law&order

mtsue said:

D'oh @lawandorder‌, I missed that!

Ha! No worries. I missed the part at the end of the article that said she wrote that book I read you post thinking...hey that sounds familiar!

mrspark812

I personally live be the philosophy of why take the risk. I have the rest of my life to enjoy a glass of wine so I can sacrifice that enjoyment for 9 months in order to ensure my baby is healthy. Granted it sucks because I love wine lol but if I can do something to help keep my baby healthy then why wouldn't I do that?

Mamamads

I drank throughout my first pregnancy and will do the same this time. Usually 1-2 glasses a week at the most. I didn't drink in the very beginning, I think I started around 11 weeks or so. I drink with dinner usually and enjoy it slowly. I've done enough research and spoken with my doctor to where I feel comfortable doing so but like most things it's a personal choice so whenever you feel comfortable enjoy yourself and if not wait till baby is here.

masabmom

I'm a very rigid about this, absolutely no alcohol during pregnancy what so ever!!! It's 9 months of my life that I can totally give up alcohol for the health of my baby. It's my job as a mom to give it the healthiest start possible. This 9 months sets baby up for the rest of its life. I'm blessed to be able to have this baby so many women can't, I'm sure I can give up alcohol. Being a Social Worker I know all to well the negative effects alcohol can have. No one will ever convience me that a small amount is ok.

They really have no idea how much is safe, no mom is going to sign up for that study and it would be unethical to ask women to potentially give their babies permanent brain damage.

I've worked with kids with FASD because mom drank before she knew she was pregnant. The only safe time is after the baby is delivered. To me it's the same as putting a glass of diluted wine in a bottle.

mlo151

I had one mimosa while watching football this weekend. I was 14w0d on that day.

I'm a first timer, so after much thought and discussion with my friends/fam (including my retired OB uncle) I've decided that my personal rule shall be wait until 2nd trimester, only 1 glass of wine/mimosa is okay on any given day. No cocktails. (And I don't like beer).

You have the power to decide! No judgement mama.

CreechMommy

I had a small glass at 12 weeks along with a platter of cheese (many of which were soft) and olives and salami. Baby is fine. My dr said the soft cheese thing is only for unpasteurized cheese and that's almost impossible to find in the US and he said not to worry about lunch meat. The only thing he stresses to avoid completely are the no-no medicines such as aspirin and the like. And raw fish like in sushi

CharlotteVol

My OB this time really stressed no alcohol at all.  

My previous OB actually encouraged me to have a small glass or half glass with my first; she thought it would help me relax.  (I had preterm labor so anything that relaxed me or at least got me some rest was positive).   It was standard advice at that practice that a very small amount in the 2nd or 3rd trimester was OK, but she flat out encouraged it when releasing me from the hospital that day.   FTR, I did have a half glass several times and it was fine.  

Maybe my current OB will have different advice once I'm further along...who knows.  I feel too guilty when she said "no alcohol at all" to even drink a small amount though.  

catahoulatte

If you and your OB are comfortable with it, then do your thing.

I had a glass of wine once every now and then in third tri last time. I personally am not comfortable drinking yet, but probably will again have a small glass occasionally when I hit the 30-32 week mark.