Moderate alcohol consumption

[Adela]

So, I know there are a lot of pregnancy experts in here and I have a question. I was watching a news story a while back and some pregnant women were arguing that occasional alcohol consumption is o.k. and in some doctors in certain European countries even recommended. I'm talking a glass of wine a couple times a week, not margaritas.

Is it true that it won't hurt the baby? Is is just some over sold scare tactic? Or are some people just lucky that their babies seem fine?

 

[jgonz]

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is Extremely controversial, especially here in the States. My own personal opinion is that you have to weigh the pros & cons for yourself, and use common sense.

I also think it has a lot to do with how far along you are and what's developing in the baby at that particular moment in time. Some days Would be worse than others to expose a baby to Any alcohol...

Now in very late pregnancy, IMO, it's not as much of an issue. Some midwives will recommend a half glass of wine to quiet major BH contractions or an irritable uterus that's threatening labor (but the mom isn't quite due yet).

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

basically, there is no known safe level... but the main thoughts are that an occasional glass is ok.

Here's an interesting link:
http://www.chem-tox.com/pregnancy/alcohol.htm

 

[Leanna]

The thing with alcohol is that you never know if its going to be your baby that gets the fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects.... there is no proven safe level, some women can drink and nothing will happen and others a tiny bit and the baby has FAS. I'll eat and drink anything else while pregnant, but no alcohol, its not worth the risk.

I do agree about late pregnancy though.... I mean really late.

 

[sparassidae]

I agree with the previous posters. They don't know what the safe level is (if there is one). No one is going to subject pregnant women to an experiment with different groups drinking differing levels of alcohol and see what happens

Personally, I go for none at all (except maybe one sip at a special event).

Late pregnancy (for me, 39 weeks or later) I might have 1/4 glass once or twice.

 

[angelsgirl]

My OB told me it was ok for me to have 1/2 a glass of champagne if I wanted to over NYE...
But I wasn't a big drinker before I fell pregnant, so not drinking alcohol hasn't been that hard for me. I have had a sip of my husbands wine when he has one that he really likes... but a little sip!!!
But giving up coke... now that is another story!!!