Pregnant ladies/moms: What are the chances of birth defects if.......?

Question

I am 17 weeks 3 days pregnant. I have been doing a few things that are "not reccommended." Has anyone done any of these during pregnancy, and were there any complications with the child? What could potentially happen?

1) Alcohol: On two separate occassions during my second trimester I have had a half glass of fruity wine.

2) Exercise: I workout 30 minutes on the elliptical each night and do approx. 25 minutes of weight lifting (from sitting position to take any pressure off my stomach). Should I bring it down a notch to just walking?

3) At 17 weeks I painted the borders and trimming in my kitchen and bathroom. I opened windows and didn't feel sick at all during the process.

Answer 1

1. A glass of wine once in a while will not affect your baby--in fact, a lot of doctors encourage you to drink red wine while pregnant.

2. Exercise is GOOD for you. Most cities have small work out studios designed for pregnant women and spouses.

3. As long as you keep the windows open in your house, I wouldn't be too concerned--but don't stay in the room with the fumes very long as it can be damaging to you and your child.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You are a GOOD 'mother in waiting' ... and you should CONTINUE to do what you have been doing. The 'half glass' of fruity wine TWICE is not going to give your child fetal alcohol syndrome, and you can have the same if you drink only 'one full glass total' every three months. The exercise is GOOD for you, and you are taking care to keep 'pressure' off your baby. You didn't paint a whole room or house, and you did open the windows and didn't feel 'ill' during the process, so you are FINE. Stop worrying about causing 'birth defects' to your baby ... you need to 'relax' and be as 'normal' as possible, so you can 'get into shape' for the next 18 years ... and you still have a 'long wait' ahead. So ... take a nice walk and look at the changing leaves ... and smile at everyone and be PROUD of yourself for being such a 'good pregnant woman.'

Answer 3

Relax, you're okay. When I was pregnant with my daughter I was actually told to have 1 glass of wine 3 times a week by my doctors. (I had strong and regular Braxton-Hicks contractions and they didn't want to medicate me -- said the wine would relax those muscles.) Note, I wasn't having three glasses of wine a day, just a week, haha. Secondly, it's fine to keep up your exercise levels after you're pregnant. If your body is used to the exercise it's good for you. Don't increase your exercise load, but stay active, it will make for an easier delievery. The painting could (maybe) have introduced some toxins, but with the windows open and good ventilation you should be fine. Relax, and enjoy your pregnancy. And if, God forbid, your child should actually end up having some sort of problem after it's born, don't beat yourself up. You are doing a good job as an expectant mother, but we live in an increasingly toxic world and you can't control everything. What you really need is a good, commonsense grandmotherly type person to give you some reassurance and calm those new mother jitters. (I was lucky, my grandmother was an OB nurse for longer than I've been alive and she was also a midwife, lamaze teacher and did home deliveries. I had a lot of good advice during my pregnancies.)

Answer 4

Although it is not recommended to drink alcohol while pregnant, it will not hurt the baby if done in severe moderation. Maybe one glass a week or so. Your doctor can give you a better idea of what would be o.k. for you.

Exercise is actually very good for you when done right and in moderation while pregnant. Will also help you have an easier time with vaginal delivery. Again, your doctor can tell you what an acceptable routine would be for you.

Painting is not bad for you or baby while pregnant, unless there is lead in the paint. I painted both of my kids nurseries and other rooms in my home while i was pregnant and nothing happened to me.

Good luck on the pregnancy, and don't stress too much about the things you do. That won't be good for you.

Answer 5

Relax my dear! You are fine. I too am an exercise freak...I ran on the treadmill all during my second trimester and 1/2 my third. You'll know when it is too much. Just don't go past your body's signal. Don't do stomach crunches. Although I gained 37 lbs, I lost it in 2 months...my babe only weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. Just meant to be small I guess. Just eat well though. As for the alcohol, it was only a small amount...just try to stay away from it now. And the paint, most paint these days are fine to use. Just relax and try and enjoy your pregnancy!

Answer 6

You'll be fine, so will your baby. i would tone it down a little on the exercise, but most doctors will tell you that exercise is highly recommended during pregnancy.

My OB/GYN told me that a glass of wine here and there won't hurt anything. In fact he recommended that I have a small glass on occasion when late in my pregnancy on the nights that the baby wouldn't quit moving so I could at least fall asleep. Just don't drink a whole bottle, and you should be okay. And don't make it a regular thing to do.

As for painting. I don't know any mom to be who hasn't painted a room in the house while expecting. It's usually the nursury.

Answer 7

You are fine. 2 half glasses of wine will probably have no effect. Just try not to do it anymore. Exercising is fine throughout pregnancy if your body is already used to working out. Just listen to your body. If it tells you to stop or slow down, then do it. And, I painted my kids room a few weeks ago and I"m pregnant. Latex paint (which is usually what is used indoors now days) will not hurt you. You were using it in a ventalited area, so it'll be fine. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be good!

Answer 8

So I am not a big advocate of drinking while pregnant BUT you had wine, which is less offensive to a fetus then distilled spirits, you had it in the 2nd trimester when its less likely to affect your developing baby and you had 1/2 a serving - so you are probably going to be okay IF THAT IS ALL YOU DO.

If you are healthy and exercised a lot before becoming pregnant, doing so after becoming pregnant is probably not an issue. What is not recommended is taking up especially taxing routines that you haven't been doing before getting pregnant. But, I'd recommend yoga for the relaxation and breathing techniques (you can use that during labor).

If there was adequate ventilation it probably wasn't too bad to paint with low tox latex paints.

All in all you didn't do too much. You didn't get acrylic nails or had your nails done (formaldehyde and acetone), you haven't been binge drinking, you haven't been taking baths in hot tubs.... Just stay away from alcohol, please?

Answer 9

My doctor told me a glass of red wine here and there was actually good for the blood flow during pregnancy...that doesn't mean get wrecked, just a glass every now and again. Although, I am not sure about fruity wine but if it was just two times with such a minimal amount I think you will be just fine.

As for the excersise, my doctor recommended a lot of walking and stretching. He told me to stay away from lifting or any sort of straining so I would definately take that into consideration. You have plenty of time to get back in shape after the baby.

Paint is definately a no-no no matter how much ventilation!

Hope that helped and congrats on the baby!!!

Answer 10

you're fine, especially with the exercise. the more active you are, the easier the delivery and recovery will be. just be sure not to overdue it.

the wine, a half a glass of wine a couple of times certainly won't hurt you. some dr's even recommend a glass here and there. now if it was a bottle of wine a night, i'd be concerned.

painting, dr's would probably not recommend you doing it but if it's anything like my house, if i didn't do it, no one else would. there was ventilation also so i really don't see where that would cause any harm.