I have not drank a day since i found out i was pregnant... But ive been craving a jack n coke, is it going to hurt the baby bad if i have one drink? or will it be ok?
2007-07-27 06:39:35 · 39 answers · asked by Secret Girl 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
People are going to be judgemental toward you rather than actually answering your question, I'm sure...But I'll answer it.
No level of alcohol has been shown safe to a developing fetus. EXCESSIVE drinking is what causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrom and low birth weight, not one drink. Honestly, it probably won't hurt... But why chance it? It's a big risk!
2007-07-27 06:44:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
FAS - Fetal Alcohol Sysndrome - occurs with mothers who drink to excess while pregnant; especially in the early stages.
One drink won't do anything. The French, for example, drink wine with their meals all the time and do they turn out stupid? (Ok, bad example!) But seriously, people used to have a drink or two all the time and pregnancy never stopped them. This particular crazy idea of not drinking hasn't hit europe yet.
As long as it's a bit (1 drink, 2 in a night, a few nights a week, say 2 or 3 max) then you should not worry.
The big problem is that binge drinking - shooters, that sort of thing - seems to be "normal" for young North Americans nowadays. That sort of behaviour can definitely harm the baby.
I would be more concerned why you crave a drink. Did you do binge drinking before? Are you looking for the "OK" to resume? Can you really stop after one? I don't know you, so I only ask.
Also, most bars probably don't want to serve you when you're visibly pregnant, so buying a bottle and taking it home if you are used to drinking a lot, or had a drinking problem, is not a good idea. Have a friend to stop you if necessary.
There's enough ADD children without adding FAS to the mix.
Good luck. Enjoy just one drink, if you think you can do it.
2007-07-27 06:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anon 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Funny how this is such an issue. Our Grandparents drank while our parents were in the womb, they even smoked because it wasn't considered "bad" yet. Now, I am neither a smoker or a drinker, but I think some people go overboard about the whole "avoid all things you like EVER while your pregnant" when little do they know that it's likely their grandparents did all of these things and their parents are perfectly normal.
Like take caffeine for instance, they actually tell you to avoid it completely, but we all know that up until 15 years ago nobody thought anything of it and those kids are normal as well.
Having a coke once in a while during pregnancy is not going to hurt you, not even once a day.
However, alcohol has been linked to fetal alcohol syndrom. I say, if you are craving it, have one, and stop there, DON'T DO IT AGAIN if you can't handle stopping at one, then don't do it at all for the sake of your baby, but I really don't believe that one drink would hurt you or your body. I have had 3 children, with my first baby in my 2nd trimester I dreamed that I had polished off a whole bottle of red wine (I didn't even like red wine) Before I got pregnant with my first I was a weekend drinker, so my friend suggested I have a wine cooler to stave off the "craving" so I had one, and I never had the dream again. My son is healthy, smart and beautiful, he is now 8 years old. With my daughter, I didn't drink AT ALL but I did endulge in the caffeine, i was exhausted, my daughter is normal too. My third, I still drank caffeine, I'm not much of a drinker so alcohol wasn't a big deal, I never wanted it. But caffeine is a part of my daily routine. My kids aren't over active, they're not crazy hyper, they're normal. So, it's up to you, but if you do it, stick to one, and don't do it again.
2007-07-27 06:54:10 · answer #3 · answered by SuperGurl78 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh don't let people freak you out.... Of course we all know that drinking while pregnant is bad, but I honestly don't think having a mild jack-n-coke will hurt you! It's kinda funny, I have been craving the same thing lol... My husband and my parents had some the other night, and I snuck a couple sips lol..... I didn't have a whole one, just because I didn't want to temp myself into drinking more.... It is fine! I would just not do it more than once a month or so.....Good Luck!
2007-07-27 06:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by ME 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Each year, up to 40,000 babies are born with some degree of alcohol-related damage (1, 2). 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. In addition, because women often do not know they are pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages.
Recent government surveys indicate that about 13 percent of pregnant women drink during pregnancy (3). About 3 percent of pregnant women report binge drinking (five or more drinks on any one occasion) or frequent drinking (seven or more drinks per week) (3). Women who binge drink or drink frequently greatly increase the risk of alcohol-related damage to their babies.
When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol passes swiftly through the placenta to her fetus. In the unborn baby's immature body, alcohol is broken down much more slowly than in an adult's body. As a result, the alcohol level of the baby's blood can be even higher and can remain elevated longer than the level in the mother's blood. This sometimes causes the baby to suffer lifelong damage.
2007-07-27 07:09:06 · answer #5 · answered by Sunny B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The likelihood of ONE standard size drink harming a fetus is pretty low. However, one today turns into two tomorrow. By the time you realize you're drinking like a non-pregnant person, you will probably have caused damage. If you find you are having a difficult time avoiding alcohol you should talk to a counselor or doctor. The health and welfare of your child should be your greatest concern...have a Coke and skip the Jack!
2007-07-27 06:54:45 · answer #6 · answered by Mandypie 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I craved beer a few times in the beginning, but I didn't want to risk losing the baby! It's only 9 months, wait, and have a drink after your baby is born. A celebration beverage!
2007-07-27 07:32:15 · answer #7 · answered by Brooke S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is never good to drink while pregnant. But one drink and then nothing after that may be ok.
When I finally got pregnant, at age 48 of all things, my OB told me a small glass (1 oz at the most) of wine was ok during the first three months. Then nothing after that. I didn't, I had waited all my life to get pregnant and I wasn't going to risk anything.
Ask your doctor what he will allow. He may say nothing, he may say less than 1 once is not going to hurt you or baby.
2007-07-27 06:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by kclarkhorses 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My craving has been a margarita. I have also not had a single drink since finding out. I don't think 1 drink the whole 9 months will hurt anything, and 20 years ago doctors still said red wine was good during pregnancy. That said, I can't bring myself to do it, cause I feel guilty thinking about actually having a drink. Just try to stick it out, save yourself the grief from others and possibly yourself.
2007-07-27 06:45:00 · answer #9 · answered by angpharo16 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
On the one hand some doctors say it is okay to have one drink while pregnant and others say to stay away from alcohol completely. This is a personal choice for you and your baby. I doubt something horrible would happen from one drink but if you started drinking a lot then yes there can be complications like fetal alcohol syndrome. Talk to your doctor and ask them their opinion on this matter since each one thinks a little differently on this subject.
2007-07-27 06:45:42 · answer #10 · answered by twinkie.2006 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋