Are people in the UK or Ireland as uptight about a pregnant woman having a small amount of alcohol?

Question

.....as they are in the US?

I'm not talking mass consumption or even moderately, but
a glass of champagne, a glass of beer, a wine spritzer or something light a few times during the entire pregnancy?

I have heard, I don't know where, that some women drink guinness while pregnant in the UK or Ireland.

What is the local wisdom about drinking every once in a blue moon while pregnant over there?

In America, it's Naziism, if you have one glass, they scare you into thinking your kid will have fetal alcohol syndrome.

Answer 1

I think the scientific proof and the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, along with other birth defects; that you refer to Naziism are sufficient to confirm that alcohol is bad for the fetus and the baby.

Educate yourself. If someone can't go without the once in a blue moon drink - there's a problem; especially when there's another life involved.

Answer 2

I agree that it can be annoying to have other people apparently minding your business. I don't drink alcohol, but while I was pregnant I had people chiding me for things like reaching above my head to hang a picture, for continuing to ride my horse until my 4th month, and for eating (or not eating) certain foods. It is aggravating.

But in terms of fetal alcohol syndrome, it really is not known how much alcohol consumption can cause a problem. It is quite possible that consumption of a relatively low amount of alcohol during the wrong time of gestation, when some critical stage of fetal development is taking place, could result in damage to the baby. Is it really worth risking it?

FWIW, consumption of alcohol is also linked to heartburn, and speaking as someone who had never experienced heartburn until I was pregnant, this is a darned good reason to abstain. I would guess that maybe you are carrying your first child. Well, all I can say with regard to heartburn is if you start experiencing it, you will voluntarily abstain from ANYTHING that can cause it or make it worse.

Yeah, pregnancy Nazism is annoying. But look at it this way: the people who express concern care about you and your baby. Isn't that a good thing?

Answer 3

My mom had five children and all through her pregnancies she had a weekly glass of stout or Guinness, its good for iron in pregnant women and we all turned out fine strapping children with no health defects, my sister did the same when she had her children as do many women I know, I think the odd glass of wine or champagne while pregnant is fine, I think people tend to panic too much these days, if your drinking alcohol everyday by the bottle full when pregnant then that is bad, but one glass now and again can't harm surely.

Answer 4

Well its probably not the best idea to drink while pregnant. I don't think they scare you into thinking your child will have FAS but its just a reality that it could happen. You know the effects that alcohol has on you when you drink right? Well think about your child feeling those same effects at less than a pound. The truth is, its just not the best idea. Hey its your child and your life though, only you can make that call and sadly if it turns out bad for you, then you along with your child and the people around you will have to suffer. Europeans aren't exactly the healthiest people in the world either...they all drink and smoke themselves to death, so I think I would make an educated decision by doing some research on FAS.

Answer 5

I agree with Boo. If it's for a special occasion (a wedding, birthday, etc.), you can have ONE SMALL glass of champagne, wine (as long as it's not a bad quality one) or beer. But then again, if you have birthdays and weddings invitations throughout your pregnancy, try to avoid drinking each time! I don't know. It's just common sense!

Answer 6

i don't think there's any local wisdom about having an occaisional drink, but as far as i know a glass of champagne on a close friends birthday etc is not frowned upon at all. I know no one in my social circle would ever abuse someone for having a small glass whilst pregnant, as long it was for a very special occaision.

Answer 7

The NHS which is our health service used to recommend no more than two units a week but now they have changed it too none............

The goverment say no alcohol during pregnacies.....my mate was in a pub and her friend ask her to hold her glass while she went to the toilet.......My mate was pregnant and this guy started shouting at her for drinking while being pregnant etc (she was only holding the drink)

Answer 8

An occasional glass of wine has been shown to be perfectly fine during pregnancy, but I guess I would ask why would you feel the need to do anything that might possibly jeopardize the health of your baby? There's no reason you have to drink so I'd err on the side of caution.

Answer 9

Truthfully you really shouldn't have alcohol while you're pregnant. You also shouldn't have a lot of caffeine or take a lot of medicine unless your doctor tells you it's okay. It's not just for the baby's health, but for your own health so you can lose the weight after pregnancy easier. Even people in other countries like Europe know this.

Answer 10

Think about the blood alcohol content of a 3-5 pound baby. One drink won't really affect a 100+ pound adult, but that's a ton of alcohol to an infant.

Just because a baby is born with all it's fingers and toes and doesn't look deformed doesn't mean he won't have problems later in life from his mother drinking while she was pregnant.