What are your thoughts on this?.. Beer drinkers

kelsojohnso · April 2015

https://www.whattoexpect.com/groups/m/january-2015-babies/discussion/35182373

For our summer time pregnancies

Opinions wanted (bored on a Sunday and looking for input)

*not the original poster

blsav23 · April 2015

I take a sip of my husband's beer or cocktails here & there. I've thought about ordering an NA beer as I don't think it would be harmful but never have. This summer, I plan to buy a root beer sample pack so when everyone else is trying new beers, I can try new root beers!
Also-I have a friend who had a glass of wine here & there during pregnancy. I honestly don't think half a glass of anything would cause any harm. That being said, I'll probably stick to my root beer sampler this summer

LLynde5 · April 2015

I don't see a problem with having an NA but I probably wouldn't want one. They are pretty gross

LLynde5 · April 2015

Again half of my post is missing:(

kelsojohnso · April 2015

I feel like when I crave a Reds I might mix Apple juice and an O'douls... But that would be a one and done type of thing. I don't see the harm as it takes 10 O'douls to equal one regular beer. I think there is a higher alcohol content in vanilla extract than in one O'douls... Thought it was an interesting find... Also that root beer sampler sounds delish right now!

Just something I found interesting

pinkj4182 · April 2015

Nothing like a real, ice cold, alcoholic beer! God I miss beer! I smell my husbands beers but that's about as close as I get lol. Like PP said I'll stick to the root beers

babykitcat · April 2015

I love beer and tried a NA beer the other day and my mouth watered! I haven't had one since but I plan on keeping a few in the fridge for the summer. Mixing NA beer with lime slushie or grapefruit pop is apparently amazing for a patio fix (I hear through a friend who was pregnant through last summer). Good idea on the root beer! I can enjoy a few cool ones with my DH's 5yr old daughter

! There are NA versions of wine too and although I absolutely loved wine pre pregnancy that smell makes me naucious today haha pretty happy about that tho!

I'm a play it safe girl and although a sip of any alcohol beverage probably wouldn't hurt I just can't bring myself to even try one!

LiveNLove44 · April 2015

I don't see any issue with NA beer. I've been reading a lot about how alcohol is approached during pregnancy all over the globe and it's quite interesting. I encourage you to do some searching, too!

blsav23 · April 2015

LiveNLove44 said:
I don't see any issue with NA beer. I've been reading a lot about how alcohol is approached during pregnancy all over the globe and it's quite interesting. I encourage you to do some searching, too!

Yes, exactly. I feel like as long as you aren't binge drinking, one on a rare occasion is probably ok (I can hear the gasps!). But really, I think as a society, we are a little overly conservative when it comes to pregnancy. However, I do love my root beer so it's good enough for me right now

TheSouffleGirl · April 2015

I don't think there is any harm in NA beer. There's more alcohol in a big glass of OJ - for serious.

I've tried a couple of NAs over the course of pregnancy and O'Doul's has been the best. (Never seen Buckler, though.). They don't approach real beer, of course, but I missed the malt flavor and the sipping factor, so I gave them a try. Everything else was just too sweet for me.

I drank the NAs in the first trimester - now that I'm in the second, I've actually switched to a homebrew IPA we made that has a 1.9% alcohol content. I have half a glass sometimes (= a quarter of a normal beer, or two NA beers) and don't feel any qualms about it. Neither does my OB.

As a replacement for cocktails, I recommend a NA fermented vinegar drink called a "shrub." You can make them in pretty much any flavor (sweet or savory) and their complexity approaches a cocktail much better than a virgin mix. Plus, they're much healthier. This book is great: https://www.amazon.com/Shrubs-Fashioned-Drink-Modern-Times/dp/1581572441

Happy sipping!

twogirlsandagreen · April 2015

I craved beer with my second dd. Was just about my only craving. Had one NA beer almost every day late 2nd Tri-birth and she is a super healthy and smart 3 yo

cstory316 · April 2015

I drank a couple O'douls last weekend because I was craving beer. My OB doesn't have a problem with it.

lindsayp916 · April 2015

I have tried several NA's, Buckler and Beck being my favorite (odouls and sharp by miller- not great).

I only drink 1-2 in social settings, and don't see any harm in it at all.

However last night I was at a dinner party and another expectant mother read me the riot act for imbibing ANY alcohol during pregnancy. It was a little embarrassing, but ultimately, I said I talked to my DR. She said it was perfectly fine, and it's my choice. I know this is a hot button issue but geez, I just feel like each mother must make her own decisions and let others do the same.

Glad to know there are other NA beer drinkers out there!

blsav23 · April 2015

lindsayp916 said:
I have tried several NA's, Buckler and Beck being my favorite (odouls and sharp by miller- not great).

I only drink 1-2 in social settings, and don't see any harm in it at all.

However last night I was at a dinner party and another expectant mother read me the riot act for imbibing ANY alcohol during pregnancy. It was a little embarrassing, but ultimately, I said I talked to my DR. She said it was perfectly fine, and it's my choice. I know this is a hot button issue but geez, I just feel like each mother must make her own decisions and let others do the same.

Glad to know there are other NA beer drinkers out there!

Honestly, this is one of my main reasons for forgoing a small glass of wine or beer. I just don't want to hear everyone's opinion and/or judgment. And you were drinking NA beer...sheesh! Imagine if it had been a small glass of wine?! I know I sound like an addict or something, but people need to lighten up. I'm sure half the crap we eat (i.e processed foods) are much worse for our babies than a small drink of beer or wine.

MeganKGarcia · April 2015

I taste alcoholic drinks all the time because I'm a bartender. When I taste them it is with a small coffee stir sized straw. Throughout a shift I don't even get a fill swallow but I have still gotten crap from fellow employees. I'm quick to tell them to shut it. I would never do anything to hurt my baby. I did LOVE red wine before pregnancy so I do plan to enjoy a glass here or there later on.

nrocke129 · April 2015

I had a sip off my husbands beer a couple weeks ago and I was satisfied after that one sip. I got the flavor and went back to my lemonade. I had 1/2 a glass of wine with my first pregnancy and I was nauseous the rest of the night. That sip of beer I was fine. To each their own.

cgummie · April 2015

I've tried a few NA beers, not the tastiest but it'll do. Buckler (made by Heineken) is the best I've had. My sister swears regular O'Douls with lemon is great. (I have a great distaste for citrus, so I passed on it) Another idea: wine slushies. Just two ounces of wine (pretty safe) with ice, juice and Sprite. Very summery, with little alcohol.

That all being said, I work in a bar and too often serve cocktails to pregnant women. There are plenty of women who do not abide by this rule and it makes me very uncomfortable! I'm not talking a glass of Merlot, a PITCHER of regular beer.

jesswill86 · April 2015

I usually drink more wine than beer, and have replaced my drinks with muscadine grape juice during social gatherings. I am also a big coffee and tea drinker, so have been considering this an experiment to find different alcohol and caffeine free beverages I might not consider otherwise.

MirandaC1984 · April 2015

I had a couple of Odouls over the weekend. We were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and celebrating a friend's birthday. I am not concerned about the safety at 2 NA beers. It was enough to satisfy my craving and I was content. My favorite so far is the Odouls amber. The regular Odouls is ok too. I've tried the Beck's NA and it was NO good.

ashfen426 · April 2015

In plan on having a beer occasionally this summer. One, every once in a while won't hurt

tate62610 · April 2015

I don't care one bit what any rando has to say to me. I still have a beer here n there or a glass of wine. Did it with my first pregnancy and I have one very healthy little girl.

aiden0516 · April 2015

As another poster said...I agree and think America is a little over conservative when it comes to alcohol. Someone sees you take a sip and its like omg-call cps. Which is ridiculous. We generally have the-if there's any risk at all then don't do it attitude. However, it's not uncommon to see women in oher countries like France, for instance, drink wine here and there. As long as you aren't pounding it back

personally Im not a big drinker, even before pregnancy-but i wouldnt hesitate to take a sip of a friend's wine if i wanted.

rylee murray · April 2015

I had NA beer and wine with my last pregnancy and I plan to again with this one. I was just waiting for the second trimester. I personally liked Beck and St Pauli Girl the best, with O'Douls being the worst I tried. The brand FRE makes a great NA champagne too! I'm definitely going to try Bucklers, I just wish they made an NA summer shandy!

rylee murray · April 2015

I also have a lot of friends and relatives that would drink a glass of wine a week starting sometime in their second trimester. I personally did not, but I didn't judge them. If you think about the way our mothers drank and smoked cigarettes when they were pregnant with us, NA beer is nothing!

allessandra511 · April 2015

I have been too scared to even take a sip of a friend's cocktail but with this thread, I just might have a beer or two this summer. I do agree that we are much to quick to say omg don't touch it! I think one should be fine

Eta gramma

BBaires · April 2015

I love beer. Before pregnancy all I drank was coffee, beer and water. Obviously that's had to change but my plan was to drink a small bit of coffee or beer throughout. Bebe had another plan. Beer and coffee taste awful to me now. I've tried sips of my husband's beverages here and there and just can't stand them.
Anyone else have this happen to them? I sure hope my tastes return to normal after baby!

StephN310 · April 2015

Why would NA be a problem?

I had a few this weekend with V8, green olives, and celery salt. Delish!! I can tolerate the Labalt Blue NA beer but I usually doctor them up. They just taste like they are missing something! ;-)

I don't partake in alcohol mostly because I don't want the judgement and always have that what if fear. That vein said I will probably enjoy an NA and one cigarette on Saturday evenings while sitting in the yard. It's my relief!

BbyCastillo · April 2015

I don't see the harm, I would def stick to less than 8-10 though and speak with my OB/Midwife just to get that extra reassurance. I LOVE BEER! but sadly, the thought of it grosses me out right now lol well not so much of a sad thing to say as it is doing me a huge favor to not crave it so far! but we will see how I feel by the summer, I am hard on myself though...with my first pregnancy I was also pregnant during the summer and it was a constant mind over matter battle and before I knew it I realized I had overcome the "need" of having an ice cold refreshing beer. We will see how this summer goes! If I really must I will steal your ladies ideas

mrsbird1721 · April 2015

I waited until I was out of my first trimester and celebrated with a half glass of wine - at home, with my hubby. And it was the best thing I've ever had. Savored the smell of it and every last sip. It put me in a better mood than I've been in for weeks! Relaxed, happy mama... happy baby!

adge223 · April 2015

I am not here to poke buttons but I work directly with people affected by fasd and see the direct outcomes these people have and it is extremely sad. There is no way to study how much alcohol is too much-realistically that one or two drinks here and there likely won't hurt anything but why take that risk? Again I don't want to judge anyone it's your own choice but i had to throw in my two cents doing what I do for a living-it's not worth the risk!!

tate62610 · April 2015

Because I don't actually feel like it's a real risk having a glass of wine or a beer.

csy2947 · April 2015

My baby loves beer lol. I was a wine person through and through pre pregnancy but now I'm always stealing sips of my husband's beers because it literally tastes like nectar to me now loll.

I also participated in the champagne toast at my friends Bachelorette party and had a mimosa on Easter. Neither my doctor or my doctor parents said I should be remotely worried, more the opposite, that a relaxed and happy me is good for the baby (not drink happy just not stressing out about everything I consume happy).

A lot of what they say about alcohol is skewed because there aren't great populations to study in America (ie, very little data on light drinking). The type of woman who would drink drink during pregnancy is also more likely to do all kinds of other bad things and to binge drink. Studies of European countries show that very light drinking (a drink or two a week) is totally fine. I think it's good we err on the side of caution but like pps say...I think we take everything a little too far over here.

heytallmama · April 2015

I was reading "expecting better" and the author pointed out that statistically speaking, in the second trimester as many one glass of wine/beer a day isn't going to impact baby. Granted, take that data to inform your choice of booze/no booze, but it was nice to read that one glass here or there really won't have a negative outcome- it's the binging that will. Definitely give that chapter a read! I love having sips of my husbands beers and am trying to pretend NA wine tastes good (I miss the real deal) so once I hit a little further along in this trimester, I'm definitely going to enjoy a crisp IPA

swelniak · April 2015

There's nothing wrong with NA beers. They have as much alcohol as OJ and bread. They're gross though, so I don't drink them. I do love the Fre champagne though! Esp as a mimosa- it's pretty convincing! Nothing like the sparkling grape juices.

Msdpgp · April 2015

I drank lightly throughout my first pregnancy and will with this one (it helps that I have a European doctor and a mother who lives in France) The threatening, shaming horrible way that we react to women that drink alcohol during pregnancy is just straight sexism; it is one of they ways that society feels entitled to control women's behavior. Total abstention is NOT supported by science. Empower yourselves and enjoy your wine or beer. Love your babies, bodies and selves!

Peatree26845 · April 2015

adge223 said:
I am not here to poke buttons but I work directly with people affected by fasd and see the direct outcomes these people have and it is extremely sad. There is no way to study how much alcohol is too much-realistically that one or two drinks here and there likely won't hurt anything but why take that risk? Again I don't want to judge anyone it's your own choice but i had to throw in my two cents doing what I do for a living-it's not worth the risk!!

I get what you're saying. I had a student that was missing fingers on his hand and everytime I think I might be tempted, that image pops into my head. I'm sure a very small amount won't do anything harmful, but I wouldn't enjoy it anyway so what's the point.

ELParker814 · April 2015

I had a sip of champagne at a friends wedding last weekend. I'm not a big fan so it was easy just to have a sip. But the doctors say a sip or two sometimes is no big deal. I have even heard you can have one real drink every once in awhile. I probably wouldn't do that just because I'm not a big drinker anyway, but there is no reason not to have a sip or two when your craving it.

dchiapella · April 2015

I love, love, LOVE a good dark stout. Any other Guinness or Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout drinkers out there? Now unfortunately the smell now makes me sour but I've always been a wine appreciator as well, I actually used to drink a glass or two of Malbec with dinner each night and I definitely miss that. Especially now that I'm into the second trimester I personally... I repeat, personally... am fine with a small glass at big occasions, my Mom's engagement, mine and my husband's birthdays, our anniversary, etc. There is risk in walking out your door every morning. I live in a small fishing town where everyone on my way to downtown smokes, the food I ate might have had well disguised, my OB said I could get my hair and nails done but what about those chemicals? My pre-natal nurse said one of the worst things you can do is to walk around in total fear all the time, she even recommended I stay off the internet and just call them if I have a question and make friends with a mommy circle with veterans who've been through it. Everybody likes to scare pregnant woman with the newest way they're going to lose their baby, especially with today's society's intensifying fear trend. I say... "Let them eat cake!"... Just in extreme moderation...

kelsojohnso · April 2015

dchiapella said:
I love, love, LOVE a good dark stout. Any other Guinness or Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout drinkers out there?

Giiiiirl I drank stout like little kids drink chocolate milk! I work across from a micro brewery that have the BEST nitro beers.... sigh... looking at the building is going to be rough over the summer!

komorebi · April 2015

I'm fine with a glass of wine or a little beer. I found when

komorebi · April 2015

I was nursing that a Guinness helped my supply.

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