Alcohol during pregnancy?

emmasue18 · August 2011

I saw a thread on 2nd trimester, and I do think it makes for interesting conversation. What is your thought on this? My family is extremely Italian, glass of red wine with dinner is the norm. My OB cleared me to enjoy a glass of red wine a day if I wanted to, it's "good for the heart" he says.

Personally, I haven't taken advantage of this clearance during this pregnancy. I am married to a man that doesn't drink much, and though we keep a stash of wine in the house...neither of us are tempted. I did have one with DS only on a special occasion. I do not think it's wrong nor do I think it hurts the baby at all (I am talking a SINGLE glass of RED WINE here or there).

I was reading on other threads that it's child abuse, your baby should be taken away at birth, etc. I feel that is a LITTLE harsh. What are your thoughts??

pb&fluff · August 2011

I had 2 sips of white wine at a huge GTG. It was great. If that's the worst thing that I do my whole pregnancy, I think I'm going well. I wouldn't go for a whole glass everynight though.

goldenleaves · August 2011

I come from a family of wine drinkers. I will definitely enjoy a glass of wine here and there in my third trimester.

ETA: We're not wino's, haha. I will probably have 1 glass per month at family dinners Smile

momyof22b · August 2011

My OB says if your stressed out and a glass of wine will take away the stress its more harm to the baby being stressed out than having a glass of wine. I drank one every once in a while with my DD and I just had a glass a few nights ago but thats been about it.

emmasue18 · August 2011

momyof22b:
My OB says if your stressed out and a glass of wine will take away the stress its more harm to the baby being stressed out than having a glass of wine. I drank one every once in a while with my DD and I just had a glass a few nights ago but thats been about it.

With the age gap between your children, you deserve a glass here and there! ;-) Bless your heart!!

Hunterloren · August 2011

I am not sure how I feel about it because I have heard so many differing opinions. However, I know that I will probably indulge in the third tri, when I feel a little more secure in baby's development. I understand from my doctor that my little stinker is a very active one and I can feel the party going on in there after dinner. Think I may need to give him a little incentive to sleep.

5bears · August 2011

My DH is a pediatrician and his take on it is that they don't really know where the risk is, so it's best not to indulge. I don't really 100% disagree with him, but I am a worrier and I respect his concerns, so I won't be indulging.

Killed me to go to the wine tasting we planned with my parents last month though and not indulge! I normally love indulging a few times a week.

KTCaliL · August 2011

Personally, I would never feel comfortable drinking one glass of wine a day while pg. When my DH has a beer or a glass of wine I take a couple sips and call it my indulgence.

aggie1983 · August 2011

I will probably have a glass or two of wine later in pregnancy. For now I have the alcohol free wine I take around with me to parties. It is actually not bad. I'm not going to lie, I cannot wait to have a big old margarita in 7 months or so

Jess.O · August 2011

I don't think it's a big deal. In Europe, it's very common for women to drink wine while pregnant. I've seen studies (and I thought I bookmarked them but didn't) that show that there isn't evidence that a glass a day or less frequently is harmful. I've also read that since they don't know what amount does cause damage, they (American doctors) just say to avoid it completely.

My personal opinion is that Americans (in general) are so overindulgent that doctors/society don't trust us to do it in moderation so they tell us that any is harmful. I totally understand how drinking too much during pregnancy is a problem and can be harmful but I don't think having a glass of wine here or there (after the first tri) is dangerous.

Just my .02.

andreabeth913 · August 2011

My personal opinion is to abstain and follow my doctors orders and she said no so the answer is no. I am a first time mom to be and we spent over 2 years ttc and suffered a loss so even if the studies aren't 100% I don't feel that it is worth the risk because it took so long to get here I feel that I can wait until after the baby is born. I did enjoy my wine prior to pregnancy and will one glass here or there kill me or the baby, probably not, but I prefer to err on the side of caution. That being said, I am not living in a bubble or anything but just trying to control what I can.

dr_pr · August 2011

Jess.O:
I don't think it's a big deal. In Europe, it's very common for women to drink wine while pregnant. I've seen studies (and I thought I bookmarked them but didn't) that show that there isn't evidence that a glass a day or less frequently is harmful. I've also read that since they don't know what amount does cause damage, they (American doctors) just say to avoid it completely.
My personal opinion is that Americans (in general) are so overindulgent that doctors/society don't trust us to do it in moderation so they tell us that any is harmful. I totally understand how drinking too much during pregnancy is a problem and can be harmful but I don't think having a glass of wine here or there (after the first tri) is dangerous.
Just my .02.

I agree with this 100%. As long as you can keep things truly in moderation, I don't think a little alcohol during pregnancy is going to hurt anything. I'll probably end up having a glass of wine per month (maybe 2!) as I get further along, and I really don't plan on feeling even a little guilty about it!

I have to say some of the opinions on the other threads were cracking me up--if you can't go 9 months without a drink, then you must be an alcoholic? Really? Wow.

Jen&Louie · August 2011

I do not believe in drinking during pregnancy at all. IMO, it is a completely avoidable and unnecessary risk.

Do I think having a glass of wine here or there is definitive child abuse? Not necessarily but, I really do not see the point of doing something that could potentially harm an unborn child when it is so easy not to. And, if it isn't easy to avoid for the limited duration of a pregnancy, that could be a sign of a problem.

I do think that an OB telling a patient to go ahead and "enjoy a glass of wine a day" is a reckless and dangerous statement.

Bethanyc1492 · August 2011

There is nothing wrong with having a glass every now and then! i wouldnt do it everyday mainly because i get so thirsty and would rather have water but people over react. Also if your already at risk for things i wouldnt drink at all. people all over the world drink wine during pregnancy and they have done plenty of studies that prove that it does not effect the unborn. I believe that study was posted on the bump. If it were as terrible as most people think, it would be illegal! Obviously going out and getting wasted is not healthy pregnant or not. There are other risks like falling down, or getting so dehydrated! But 1 glass a dinner is not going to kill u it doesn't make you a bad mother and you are not abusing your child. Also why dont they say the same thing about soda then? and coffee!!

hmt7 · August 2011

I have had a few sips of my husbands beer or wine, and a half a glass a week ago. There are also risks in eating ice cream (diabetes), eating lunch meat (listeriosis), hot dogs (Nitrates), and people still do all of this!! You would be hard pressed to find someone that is a perfect saint all throughout their pregnancy.......

mrssoprano · August 2011

I read about this study and I am totally okay with the occasional glass of wine. I'm trying to wait until after 20 weeks, though, just for the heck of it.

"The research found that not only can pregnant women safely drink a glass or two of wine per week, but that their children performed better three years after birth when compared to children of women who did not drink at all.

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