is it ok to have a drink of wine during pregnancy?

Answer 1

I wouldn't sit down with a big glass of it or anything, but I don't think a sip or two will hurt. My second baby got really heavy, and my midwife actually suggested a small glass of wine, to help relax me. Granted I was only 20, so I didn't try it. I would consult your doctor first though. Like I said, I wouldn't drink a whole glass of wine, but I honestly don't think a couple sips will hurt anything.

Answer 2

It cannot be proven how much alcohol can cause damage to the fetus so most doctors will say it is best to abstain altogether. Although mine said an occasional glass of wine is absolutley fine. In fact it has been documented that only a couple of decades ago alcohol was actually given to pregnant mothers intravenously to stop contractions and premature birth. Of course we have come a long way since then and know alot more about fetal development now even though not enough is known about an alcohol limit during pregnancy. If you are really worried its probably better to avoid alcohol altogether but personally speaking, I enoy a wine spritzer every other week and I am pregnant. It is YOUR choice.

Answer 3

A drink, like a glass? Yes. A drink, like a bottle? No.

"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. 3

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."

That and much more at: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FetalAlcoholSyndrome.html

"Lipp and Whitten, whose "To Your Health" was published in 1995, are among an increasing number of doctors and researchers who feel that pregnant women have no reason to fear drinking a glass of wine every day. As revealed by contributing editor Thomas Matthews in the August 31, 1994 issue of the "Wine Spectator" magazine which was devoted largely to this controversy, "there is even new research that shows that moderate drinking during pregnancy may actually help the development of the child after birth"."

"...Dr. Michael Samuels of New York City's Doctor's Hospital says that the data has been "turned around for the purpose of frightening women"..."

That, and more, from:

http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/wine_expect_mother.html

Ignore the thumbs-down, please, and enjoy the odd glass.

Answer 4

When I was pregnant w/ my son I went into perterm labor at 34 weeks. My OB told me not to take the meds that another doctor gave me but to drink a glass a wine at dinner or if I started feeling contractions. That is how they did it when my mother was pregnant 26 years ago. I don't think a glass of wine once in a while will do anything. I would NOT do it during your first trimester though.

Answer 5

I've heard some doctors say that a glass of wine once a week or so is really ok, and I heard it on a documentary about pregnancy. But I am still not sure I would take the risk. I mean if it doesn't help, why do it if there is any risk at all.

Answer 6

Most professionals say it is okay to have a little bit every once in a while (wine not alcoholic drinks), but why risk it? I am pregnant, and have not had any alcohol because I am too worried about it causing problems. You are carrying a life inside you and should do everything to keep it safe and out of harms way.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

From the March of Dimes:
"Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many do not realize that moderate—or even light—drinking also may harm the fetus.

"In fact, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe. Therefore, the March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink any alcohol—including beer, wine, wine coolers and hard liquor— throughout their pregnancy and while nursing."

Why take a chance?
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1170.asp

Answer 8

Experts say that wine in moderation (like one glass per day) is okay during pregnancy but I would not drink any alcohol when I was pregnant.

Answer 9

I would say that one small glass of wine on New Years would be ok. That's what I did when I was pregnant and my baby is just fine.

Answer 10

I'm sure a bunch of anti-alcohol folks have already screamed 'no', but my doctor told me, a glass of wine a day will not do any harm to me or the fetus. But he's just a doctor . . .