is it OK to have a little drink?

Question

when pregnent my bf says to women that he sees out or on tv that they souldnt drink but i told him we can have an odd glass of wine nothing to bad it would if it was every day drink not a little glass every now and then. i mean pepole somke drugs and allsorts. and he said he wont let me drink a tiny bit if i was carrying his child.is he over the top. i was just a little argue ment we had what to know what u all think thanks

am not preg and not planning i just wanted to know wasnt to sure.

Answer 1

Some doctors say you can have a glass of wine here and there. Its really up to you i guess, i personally wouldnt.

Answer 2

WOW! with all these answers you've definately hit on an emotive topic..

Of course whatever a woman consumes throughout the pregnancy is entirely her decision.. foetal alcohol syndrome has been well documented but as far as I am aware it is more sesceptible when drinking during specific trimesters in the pregnancy (I did study this once but I have forgotten all the details i am afraid).

it is probably best to have a quick research of FAS on google and see what is said...

But either way there are some Drs who say yes to drinking in moderation and there are some that say never drink during pregnancy...

My own view is that, if it worries a woman enough to ask the question of whether it is dangerous or not, then it is best to stay away from alcohol for the duration of the pregnancy.

I personally would stay away from it as I would prefer to play it safe.

But then I know one women who has quit drinking for the baby but is still smoking her way through her pregnancy.. I don't quite know where the justification is in that... it is all down to the individual's perception of what they think their body and baby can handle.

Answer 3

a friend of mine while pregnant with her third child told me one day (late in pregnancy) that her doctor had suggested she have a glass of wine at night to help her relax and fall asleep.

The general thinking is that absoultly no acohol is acceptable, and that should be the mentaility that everyone takes about it, because if you say 'a little bit is ok' then everyone's definition of 'a little bit' can be different.

It's best to not partake at all, than to drink and have your baby develop fetal acohol syndrome. Not only should you consdier the baby in this --which, yes, should be your primary focus -- but also consider how you would feel if you indulged and hurt the baby, then have to live with that decision every day for the rest of your life, whether the baby survives it or not.

It's better just to not, and you should be proud that your boyfriend is so concerned for a life that the two of you havn't even created yet.

Answer 4

This answer may get lost in the 100s you have already had. The Department Of Health say an occasional unit of alcohol should not be a problem, however they are currently looking at extensive research done in the States that has found that even small amounts may have an adverse effect on an unborn babys mental development later in life. This said the DOH will probably be changing their advice in the near future.

Answer 5

Foetal alcohol syndrome is not caused by having a couple of glsses of wine per week, this is generally only in alcohol dependent women. However 1-2 units twice per week is ok (125ml) is 1 unit. Half lager or cider 1 unit. Guiness and Stout same as lager and contains lots of iron. Women years ago often advised to drink this when showing signs of anemia in pregnancy. Going back 30 years there were no health guidelines related to this and if you speak to many middle aged women with children of this age you will see alot of them not proud to say they drank and smoked throughout their pregnancies, and there's not loads of people walking around with foetal alcohol syndrome characteristics.
I am pregnant and apart from when I hadn't confirmed my pregnancy, I have drank but this was half a small glass of red sparkling on Christmas Day, a small glass of champagne New Years Eve, with a mouth swill of Baileys(not at same time) And 1 small glass with a meal. But that will be it now the festivities are over so i'll put down my glass and replace it with my chauffer hat! As my husband thinks i'm a great taxi driver and hopes i'll breastfeed again so this job is extended!
My husband said he would give up alcohol with me this time (however it kind of doesn't bother me really, you kind of don't want it and do feel guilty every mouthful) and with the alcohol he'd give up all the foods I was restricted from eating 15weeks now and every weekend he seems to forget.
I think smoking in pregnancy is far worse than having 1 or 2 glasses of wine per week but that doesn't seem to bother a lot of people!!!

Answer 6

If you had gone on a bender before you knew you were pregnant, fine...theres not much you can do about it, but If you know that your pregnant and you choose to drink your an idiot. Everything that you put into your body will get to your baby, doing drugs and smoking are just as bad. If you cant go 9 months without a glass of wine I think that you have a problem and you should never get pregnant. Your BF is absolutely right. I hope you will wait until you are more mature to have a baby. Is it worth the risk. If your baby had anything wrong with it, how would you feel? If it were me I would feel like s***. I quit smoking before I got pregnant and drinking.

Answer 7

It seems to me that many answerers are trotting out NO without checking the facts. There is no need to terrify mothers that having an occasional alcoholic drink will cause deformities in their baby.

Let's face it, lots of babies are made when the mother has had a few drinks, and before she even knows she is pregnant. Those first couple of weeks are vitally important in terms of foetal development and yet the vast majority of children are unharmed. Mums are given every reason to feel guilty these days about the least thing.

There have been some excellent, sensible pieces of advice and links given to the asker. Let's not resort to simplistic shock tactics.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do.

Answer 8

Actually the doctors do say it is OK every now and then to have a small glass of wine. That being said, the doctors also do not know how much alcohol causes fetal alcohol syndrome. So.. to be safe I never did. I figured 9 months for safety was not too much for my baby to ask. I think he is just worried about his future baby and you! Appreciate that.

Answer 9

It sounds like your bf cares more about the health and wellfare of your child than you do. You should be encouraged that you have a man dedicated to wanting to have a healthy child, instead of accussing him of being over the top. Doctors say that it is ok to have a glass of wine every now and then. But how often is every now and then and are willing to gamble on your childs life and health? Yes some individuals have healthy babies after drinking and doing drugs,,,, but do you take into consideration what happens to them when they are teenagers or adults? Do they become prone to being alcoholics or addicts? Seems like you view life in the short term,,, try looking at the long term.

Answer 10

Honestly a glass of wine on occasion will not harm you... Google it.. it wil tell you the same thing... Also I asked my doc about it and he ALSO told me the same thing.... I had a glass or two of wine... (not enough to get a buzz) at my friends wedding when I was pregnant and I have a healthy 2 year old boy... Also this time I when to a wine tasting with my husband... and I am still doing just fine.. Don't over do it and it will be ok.....

Answer 11

no hes not beig over the top they do say you can drink a little bit when you are pregnant but if you do then they garuntee you that its 100 percent safe depending on the individual it can still harm the baby and give it feotal alcohol syndrom and have deformities and stuff like that and the best to prevent that is to not drink at all seriously whats worse not drinkin anything at all for 9 months or taking the risk and having something happen to your un born baby trust me on this one and your boyfrind to