How much do you drink?

eatdrinkstretch · July 2011

I know there is a huge spread of opinion on TTGP between total abstinence and "drink til pink," but I am curious to know how much you ladies drink while TTC? Does your answer change depending on the time of the month - AF v. waiting to O v. TWW?

Last month I figured, hey, this *could* be my last month with wine for a while, so I better live it up. Well, I lived it up a bit too much. (FWIW - I don't have a problem, we just tend to go out a lot in the summer months and social drinking is the norm in my circle.) After a series of BFNs, I decided to needed to cut WAY back this cycle and found a bunch of well-respected research that says that drinking 5+ drinks per week can drastically decrease fertility (in men and women). Ugh. So, I am trying to abstain as much as possible but I am very interested to know what other people do.

megemoney · July 2011

I rarely drink. Even before TTC. So I am probably not much help here. I will allow myself to have a drink during my period or before O if we go out to dinner, but I don't buy anything to drink at home. I am going out of my way to not drink during the 2ww.

rellicdragon · July 2011

I never knew about this 5 drink rule per week.

I agree with you, during the summer months we are out every weekend and some week nights and social drinking is the norm.

We ususally go to at least one game each week, so I have a beer or two, and then weekends are the same.

I am trying not to drink more than 2 - 3 drinks in one night, but I haven't stopped and I don't plan on stopping cold turkey until BFP

byrne15 · July 2011

I don't drink at all... and i quit coffee and soda as well

blaharn · July 2011

I'm on the "drink til it's pink" team. I like my wine

That said, it's rarely more than 2 glasses.

candr09 · July 2011

I don't drink. At all. I've been sober for 2 years and 8 months.

However, if I was "normal" and drank socially etc, I think during TTC I would allow myself a drink or 2 on weekends and follow the "drink til pink" philosophy.

Michelle_G · July 2011

I don't keep track of how many drinks I have. Some nights I feel like drinking, some nights I don't. Over the 4th weekend, I got sloshed at my friend's 30th. It was a blast, but I had just gotten my opk+ that morning. If I knew I was well into the 2ww, I probably wouldn't have gone so far. Honestly, If I don't have a bfn, I just go with what I feel like doing.

lauranicole91 · July 2011

Before joining this site, I was strictly a no drinking at all kinda person. But now I'm fine with a drink here and there. I had a mimosa on the 4th of July and a few sips of beer.

I feel as long as I'm not DRUNK a few drinks here and there are fine during TTC and TWW.

TETaylor · July 2011

I rarely drink as well. This cycle I had 2 glasses of wine prior to O.

LaraValentine · July 2011

In general at parties I have one n.a. drink when I arrive, one alcoholic drink after that(which I try to nurse, slowly), and then I go back to sodas or juices. I'm not a big drinker in general, and it doesn't take much to loosen me up. Plus, since my friends are used to seeing me drink juice at parties, they won't get suspicious when I am ktfu but am too early to feel comfy with telling them.

That said, last night I went to visit my best friend at her new house (she had to move an hour out of town so they could live close to her husband's job) and we went on a total bender. I made watermelon sangria with champagne as a base, she made lime mojitos, we had shots of vodka, and wine. I'm not sure how I managed to avoid a hangover, and part of me wants to feel guilty cause I'm in the tww, but this was a special occasion. My best friend and I have celebrated many memorable nights with a hardcore drinking bout, and breaking in her new home was no exception.

For the rest of the 2ww I'll be sticking to lemonade and sparkling water.

mel66 · July 2011

Our social crowd are big on the social drinking as well, so it's a bit odd around them right now. They also don't know that I'm TTC either.

I will allow myself to have a couple of drinks during AF up to a few days before O'ing.

This is my first month TTCing as well - so I haven't thought about my story this weekend just yet - lol.

What I say is - if you had sex since AF was here - there is a chance you could be pregnant already, so abstaining would be a good idea.

jll1881 · July 2011

I have a glass of wine or beer with dinner several (3-4) nights a week. It's pretty rare that I have more than one drink in a day/evening. I drank until I got a BFP with my daughter. We even went to a wine festival and a beer festival during the 2ww.

alison2379 · July 2011

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

I drank moderately throughout the 5 months it took me to get pregnant, and it all turned out fine. Moderately meant a glass or two most weeknights, and sharing a bottle on weekend nights. I did not change my pattern during my two week wait, even during the 2ww that ultimately yielded my BFP.

Nine (really almost ten) months is a LONG time to be pregnant. I've not had a drop since my BFP, and I know I'll be limited in my ability to imbibe while breastfeeding, so I had my fun while I could.

ENJOY yourselves. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you're not hurting yourselves or your future children.

lycih · July 2011

We have a poker night every thurs, and usually there is a lot of drinking involved. Since we've been TTC, I've been toning it down, but still drinking some. There's no way I'd be drinking like we used to during poker while TTC.

In the 2WW I'm started what I call "quasi drinking" where I basically make a mixed drink but take out the hardest alcohol. It's not entirely non-alcoholic because there will still be something in it like Triple Sec/St Germaine/Grand Mariner or something, but the vodka/rum/gin/whathaveyou that would normally be in it, I leave out.

Other than that, I'll have wine with dinner once or twice a week, but that's usually just a glass or two.

BlueEyedDreamer · July 2011

blaharn:
I'm on the "drink til it's pink" team. I like my wine That said, it's rarely more than 2 glasses.

Me too.

@OP, I'm wondering if you could share the source of your 5 drinks per week rule. I've read a lot about drinking while TTC (I'm a TTC nerd), and while studies show that excessive drinking can definitely cause problems with Oing, I have never seen a study that specified a # of drinks per week.

In other news, I think it's kind of silly that so many women on here think it's better to drink while waiting to O than during the 2ww. Drinking can affect ovulation much more than it can affect an un-implanted fertilized egg.

BlueEyedDreamer · July 2011

::BURP::

rellicdragon · July 2011

thanks Alison,

I was just reading through the whole post getting nervous, but reading your answer makes me feel a bit better ...

byrne15 · July 2011

alison2379:

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

I drank moderately throughout the 5 months it took me to get pregnant, and it all turned out fine. Moderately meant a glass or two most weeknights, and sharing a bottle on weekend nights. I did not change my pattern during my two week wait, even during the 2ww that ultimately yielded my BFP.

Nine (really almost ten) months is a LONG time to be pregnant. I've not had a drop since my BFP, and I know I'll be limited in my ability to imbibe while breastfeeding, so I had my fun while I could.

ENJOY yourselves. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you're not hurting yourselves or your future children.

this is not true for everyone....glad it worked out for you, but not really good advice to strangers

huskymomma94 · July 2011

BlueEyedDreamer:

blaharn:
I'm on the "drink til it's pink" team. I like my wine That said, it's rarely more than 2 glasses.

Me too.

@OP, I'm wondering if you could share the source of your 5 drinks per week rule. I've read a lot about drinking while TTC (I'm a TTC nerd), and while studies show that excessive drinking can definitely cause problems with Oing, I have never seen a study that specified a # of drinks per week.

In other news, I think it's kind of silly that so many women on here think it's better to drink while waiting to O than during the 2ww. Drinking can affect ovulation much more than it can affect an un-implanted fertilized egg.

I agree!

Oem617 · July 2011

I am with the motto, drink till it is pink. That said, I am not a huge drinker anyway. I will have some on social occassions, such as last weekend for the 4th, but looking ahead this weekend, I will probably not drink at all. I do not make my decision to drink based on my 2WW or AF or anything like that.

NovOwl · July 2011

megemoney:
I rarely drink. Even before TTC. So I am probably not much help here. I will allow myself to have a drink during my period or before O if we go out to dinner, but I don't buy anything to drink at home. I am going out of my way to not drink during the 2ww.

This. Smile

andy71781 · July 2011

I plan to only drink on CD1. My H is a doctor and is super concerned about potential ill effects and I'm crazy scared about being infertile.

This is a big change for me - which is not to sound like an alkie but....I drink every night with dinner. Never more than 2 drinks...but still.

MrsE05 · July 2011

I have cut down on drinking but I wouldn't say the only reason is because we are ttc. I just wanted to be a bit healthier in general and perhaps if I do get a bfp soon it will be an easier transition into a dry 9 months. I do agree with drink until it's pink. I'll have a drink or two depending on the situation. If it's a big party like a wedding or holiday I'll have a few, but if it's just dinner with DH I'll skip the drink.

eatdrinkstretch · July 2011

OP here - I could not find all of the sources I looked at previously in order to answer quickly, but here are two articles about the same study: https://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/160/7/661.full and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC28642/

info from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/female-fertility/MY01095/NSECTIONGROUP=2

a couple other not so reliable sources: https://infertility.about.com/od/causesofinfertility/ss/stressfertility_7.htm and https://www.babyhopes.com/articles/alcohol.html

In response to some of the other posters, I completely respect that this is an individual choice. I did not post this with the intention to make anyone feel bad/worry, or to get justification for my decision, I am just really curious to see what other women are doing and how they feel about their decisions because I need to decide how seriously I want to take this. Unfortunately, my husband and I have a limited window to TTC before taking a required break for a few months, so I want to do everything I can to maximize my chances.

workingmama · July 2011

I will have a drink or two on CD 1, until we have se x for the first time that cycle. Then, nada. FWIW, my doc says it's fine, but I just will not take any risk. I am the type that would think it all went back to that one drink if something went wrong and I can't live with that. That said, most of my friends drink while TTC and even while PG and their babies are "fine."

March of Dimes says, "It is unlikely that the occasional drink a woman takes before she realizes she is pregnant will harm her baby. The baby?s brain and other organs begin developing around the third week of pregnancy, however, and are vulnerable to damage in these early weeks. Because no amount of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy, a woman should stop drinking immediately if she even suspects she could be pregnant, and she should not drink alcohol if she is trying to become pregnant." They basically say that no study has shown how much alcohol is okay and under what circumstances, so just don't do it.

alison2379 · July 2011

byrne15:
alison2379:

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

I drank moderately throughout the 5 months it took me to get pregnant, and it all turned out fine. Moderately meant a glass or two most weeknights, and sharing a bottle on weekend nights. I did not change my pattern during my two week wait, even during the 2ww that ultimately yielded my BFP.

Nine (really almost ten) months is a LONG time to be pregnant. I've not had a drop since my BFP, and I know I'll be limited in my ability to imbibe while breastfeeding, so I had my fun while I could.

ENJOY yourselves. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you're not hurting yourselves or your future children.

this is not true for everyone....glad it worked out for you, but not really good advice to strangers

No, not true for everyone, but few statements are. True for the majority, and fine advice for "strangers."

volleymommy · July 2011

I have done some of the same internet research you have. Previously I would drink maybe 6 or 7 drinks a week, moreso during the summer because I am a teacher. I currently am doing my best to abstain always. I did drink over the holiday but also told myself I will not be drinking for quite a while.

I do have a different situation- I have stage II endo and drinking causes estrogen increase which inturn also can make the endo return faster or be worse. Angry

cbee817 · July 2011

I pretty much stopped drinking after my 21st birthday (horrible experience), so cutting out my 1/2 beer maybe once a week was pretty easy when we TTC DD and when we'll TTC #2 this Fall. I think the best thing is to stop before you TTC- it's just easier to get in that mode of taking better care of yourself.

jrnelson627 · July 2011

candr09:

I don't drink. At all. I've been sober for 2 years and 8 months.

However, if I was "normal" and drank socially etc, I think during TTC I would allow myself a drink or 2 on weekends and follow the "drink til pink" philosophy.

Congrats on your sobriety! I too am a friend of Bill W.....I've been sober now 3 and 1/2 years....so I don't have to worry about the drinking issue. When I was drinking, I always told myself that if I ever found out I was pregnant, I would stop. I was such a drunk in fact, that I occasionally wished I would get pregnant, so that I would have to stop. Pretty ashamed to admit that, I know it's a horrible reason to want to get pregnant. I never tried, just thought that would be a way for me to quit. Alcoholics have a pretty backwards way of thinking though.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to say congrats, and keep it up!

willamina28 · July 2011

I have a few drinks a week. Definitely drink till it's pink.

BorderGirl · July 2011

Before TTC I would have 2 drinks per month at most. Now I average 1, pre-ovulation.

Rvnsgrl81 · July 2011

alison2379:

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

I drank moderately throughout the 5 months it took me to get pregnant, and it all turned out fine. Moderately meant a glass or two most weeknights, and sharing a bottle on weekend nights. I did not change my pattern during my two week wait, even during the 2ww that ultimately yielded my BFP.

Nine (really almost ten) months is a LONG time to be pregnant. I've not had a drop since my BFP, and I know I'll be limited in my ability to imbibe while breastfeeding, so I had my fun while I could.

ENJOY yourselves. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you're not hurting yourselves or your future children.

This exactly! xoxo Alison!

katelonnee · July 2011

I don't drink often but will drink socially while out with DH during AF and while waiting to O. I try very hard not to drink at all during the 2WW but I do "occasionally" have a drink or 2 during the 2WW.

lin681 · July 2011

While TTC I havent really cut back except during 2WW Ill watch what I drink. I have cut back on coffee and soda in general.

** I really dont drink that much though!

I have friends who drank until +HPT and they have healthy children!

LM915 · July 2011

alison2379:

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

I drank moderately throughout the 5 months it took me to get pregnant, and it all turned out fine. Moderately meant a glass or two most weeknights, and sharing a bottle on weekend nights. I did not change my pattern during my two week wait, even during the 2ww that ultimately yielded my BFP.

Nine (really almost ten) months is a LONG time to be pregnant. I've not had a drop since my BFP, and I know I'll be limited in my ability to imbibe while breastfeeding, so I had my fun while I could.

ENJOY yourselves. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you're not hurting yourselves or your future children.

I agree, I plan to bf so once I get my bfp, it will be a long time before I have a drink... and I love my wine. So I drink till it pink, and I'm enjoying it until I can't.

gberg1331 · July 2011

blaharn:
I'm on the "drink til it's pink" team. I like my wine That said, it's rarely more than 2 glasses.

this. same with caffeine, although i also don't drink much there.

angelsnight · July 2011

I am likely no help because I don't drink much. I used to, but since trying to lose weight I've pretty much cut it all out because I would rather eat my calories, plus as I get older, the more I feel the hangover.

However I do have an addiction to pepsi, it's like my wine. I know once I'm pregnant I won't really have trouble kicking it because then it will be for baby that I'm kicking it, since I apparently have issues giving things up for my own health.

So until then I am trying to cut down, so maybe you could try that so you can still enjoy drinking until you get KU, but you won't be going from 60 to 0 right away.

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