I am so tired of seeing women get crap here because they're thinking about having a glass of wine _once a week_. Thirty-two Americans invariably show up to say "I can't think for myself, so I don't believe you should, either. I am unaware of, or ill-able to read and understand, research. Scare tactics sure work on me. Etc."
"The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recently conducted a large study including 400,000 American women, all of whom had consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Not a single case of fetal alcohol syndrome occurred and no adverse effects on children were found when consumption was under 8.5 drinks per week.
A recent review of research studies found that fetal alcohol syndrome only occurs among alcoholics. The evidence is clear that there is no apparent risk to a child when the pregnant woman consumes no more than one drink per day."
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FetalAlcoholSyndrome.html
So why is it still claimed otherwise, here?
2006-12-20 00:18:43 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Well, I personally think you have a valid point. I think the hysteria in America derives from the fact that we are bombarded by news reports and studies that pound into our heads about the dangers that can be caused by consuming alcohol. I believe that while some research shows that drinking alcohol during pregnancy will cause no harm to the baby if done in moderation, it is still important to relay to the American public how dangerous it can be if too much is consumed. You have to understand that here in America, overconsumption is a standard. That is why, in my opinion, we are told to follow such restrictions on alcohol during pregnancy.
On the other hand, do I agree with the voracity of some Americans who denounce having a glass of wine here or there during pregnancy, NO. My doctor told me that it is fine to do so. He also told me to drink a glass of beer once a day after I had my daughter to help bring the milk in. What people need to realize is, drinking is not always done for the purpose of getting drunk. You shouldn't be trying to get drunk when you are pregnant, but having a glass of wine will not hurt anything. The problem is, that is a hard concept for most to accept after being told over and over that consuming alcohol during pregnancy could harm their baby.
2006-12-20 00:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by L80bug 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think it is becasue many people, not you, will take that permission too far and turn 1 drink a week into 1 drink a day, then one really strong drink a day, then two. So I think they just try to scare people for the better good. You know how people who want an excuse to do something are - they take any excuse they can get and turn it into permission to overdue something. I think it's important that women are a little scared of what could happen when they drink, keep them on their toes, keep them reminded that it can cause major problems. Like you said, truly doing it once in a while is nothing, but you know some people go overboard and we want to stress how bad that can be.
2006-12-20 00:35:03 · answer #2 · answered by In Luv w/ 2 B, 1 G + 1 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
lol:) There are so many "rules" out there that are just there to scare poor pregnant women. We can't have shellfish, fish, feta cheese, deli meat, etc., etc. etc. We live in a Coastal town in FL, and I have been craving fresh bay osyters and denying myself. Finally my husband was like, "Do you think my grandma (who's lived in that area for years upon years) didn't eat oysters when she was pregnant?" So, I fried some up and MY GOD were they good:) I agree with the one comment that most doctors say this so one immature woman doesn't think "Well, I can 8.5 drinks in a weeks, so...Let's just drink them all tonight!" Just the other weekend we were at a friends house and I throughly enjoyed A glass of wine and some cheese and crackers, ummmmmmm:) There is absolutely nothing wrong with a glass of wine/beer every once in awhile. It's just that some women can't control themselves.
2006-12-20 00:53:07 · answer #3 · answered by Dolphin 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It whatever someone wants to do. Personally, I would be to scared to take the chance that something could become wrong with my baby if I drank. While I am pregnant, I don't want to do one thing that could cause any harm to my baby. If people want a drink, that's up to them, But I wont. I also quit smoking the minute I found out I was pregnant with my 1st daughter and never touched them again. I just want to do everything as perfect as possible so I know I did my best. Congrats to all the new mommies and everyone have a happy Holiday!
2006-12-20 00:28:48 · answer #4 · answered by kristin h 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
My group of Ob's (doctors) have told me over and over that it is okay to have up to one glass of wine a day. I don't take it that far, but if I want a glass every now and then... I have it...
As far as I can tell, the effects of one glass of wine is no worse for your baby than the following:
Alternative sweeteners
Too much fat in your diet
Too many preservatives in your diet
Too much caffeine
My doctors keep telling me not to be scared by all of the stuff I hear and to use common sense.
2006-12-20 01:04:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think it is more of scare tactic so women don't over indulge.
A baby with FAS is very sick so just be respondible. I will have a glass of wine at Christmas and one on New Years and I wont feel bad about it, but I would stay away from hard liquor for sure.
2006-12-20 00:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by blessed mommy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Let it be, Americans are notoriously known for our excessiveness (I know its not a real word, but you get the point). So few of us are able to just enjoy something on occasion, we have to have it and all of it. So we tend to listen to the scare tactics, in order to keep ourselves from indulging, because we don't know when to say when.
And as for the finger pointers...well they haven't figured out that God is the only entity that should pass judgment. Yet again another affliction we as Americans suffer...self righteousness.
2006-12-20 00:46:06 · answer #7 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If you are so worried about taking a drink while you are pregnant, then you may have a problem. One drink once in a while won't hurt, but keep in mind, the pregnant body will react by rejecting anything that isn't good for the baby. In other words, it will only make you tired and cranky. It isn't worth it.
2006-12-20 01:16:08 · answer #8 · answered by Ikkin 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because some folks believe they are holier than thou and are the "do gooders" of the world... They don't want to be open to an answer other than their own. And really they are over opinionated and judgemental with no leniency for others.
The same "why" could be asked on several lines.
2006-12-20 00:46:11 · answer #9 · answered by Heather 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I'm an advocate of a glass of beer/wine won't hurt once in a while during pregnancy, but I even get 'those looks' from friends!
I don't really go for it as my stomach seems to be ultra sensitive and easily upset while I'm pregnant at the mo.
But yes it's Chrimbo even us preggo gals can celebrate!
2006-12-20 00:37:40 · answer #10 · answered by kijed7n 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋