A drink once and awhile during pregnancy?

Ok... now I know this topic can get some of you ladies pretty heated but I'm really just wondering, and afraid to ask my doctor.  I'm 24 weeks, and haven't touched a drop of booze since I found out I was expecting. Drinking while pregnant I know is a huge no-no but what about ONE DRINK? or one drink now... and maybe another 4 weeks from now?  We had a dinner party over the weekend and our guests brought wine (for themselves) and also brought 3 extra for me to keep? Which I found weird since they all know I'm 6 months pregnant. So I responded with a thank you, and that I'll keep it till the summer (when I'm due). Now everytime I open the fridge I see this gorgous chilled bottle of wine.  Am I being silly? Or can I treat myself to a glass??

[babyprayers]

I would have to say no... god forbid if anything ever happened you would blame yourself for the rest of your life. alcohol crosses the placental barrier. I guess I will ask would you give your baby a bottle with wine.. dont mean to sound mean, I just think its a huge NO no.. thats my own personal opinion.. sorry u asked...  

[tiredbuthappy]

i had a half a glass this weekend, and half a glass the weekend before. If you added up all the wine I drank during the pregnancy, it would probably add up to a total of 4 glasses (and i'm 23 weeks). I know some people who allow themselves one glass of wine or one beer a week. I know others who won't touch a drop. This is a very personal decision, and I am sure many people will share their opinions on this. I can only hope that they decide to phrase it diplomatically :) The true answer to your question is that no one, not even doctors, know how much is safe to drink. That is why they say none is the best bet. Chances are an occasional, very small drink won't do harm (all of our parents did it), but you need to decide if you want to take any risk at all.  

[babyprayers]

if i did not sound diplomatic I am truly sorry. did not mean for my post to sound mean.. It really is your choice, like I said my post was only my own personal opinion.

[tiredbuthappy]

Oh no!!! i wasn't referring to you. I just have seen the direction some of these threads can take and was hoping it wouldn't go in that direction. it's helpful when we all state our opinions. that's what we're here for after all. I was just hoping that as the thread continues, we can state our own opinions without bashing the opinions of others.

[ImmortalOne]

Personally I wouldn't do it.  I've been offered wine several times, and told it would be okay, but for me I am already paranoid about this baby that I can't possibly think about drinking even half a glass.  Perhaps a swallow or taste of something, but that is about it and even then I think I would feel guilty.

[babyprayers]

its a tough world out there.. I guess for me.. I am jumping thru hoops of fire trying to get pregnant.. I would not want to do anything to screw it up.. ya know.. hope all goes well for everyone.. sticky baby dust

[AndiJ78]

I agree, it isn't worth the risk. Keep the wine for later ; )

[Jenny100]

It seems to be a very personal choice, but I have also noticed that it's much more common for a woman who has suffered a miscarriage to be EXTREMELY strict about what she won't eat or drink. That's how I feel---I lost a baby at 16 weeks last fall, and I am now 19 weeks pregnant again, and I will not do ANYTHING to jeopardize this pregnancy. Not that I did with the one I lost--but I am talking as strict as not even eating lunchmeat. I just think you would NEVER want to wonder if maybe--just MAYBE--you caused something to happen to the baby. The risk isn't worth it in my opinion.

[*heartagram*]

Doctors don't know just how much alcohol can affect a baby in utero so that's why they just say to steer clear of it altogether. If it's just the taste you like you can always get the stuff that tastes genuine but non alcoholic?

[pertykitty]

personally i wouldnt not touch it. if studies said you can safely have one glass a trimester, maybe id think differently (no i wouldnt) but since they dont have anything to prove it is safe in any amounts, better to refrain. if you do choose to have a drink here and there you can weaken it by adding sparkling water or maybe 7up. like i always say, if you wouldnt put it in a bottle, dont put it in your mouth.

[kellym]

I had a glass of wine every now and again while I was in my second 1/2 of pregnancy. My sister had a glass with dinner almost every night. She's not a drunk or anything but would have one and both her kids are perfect. It is a very personal decision though.

[jenstam]

A glass of wine or two occasionally is perfectly safe. Coming right from my doctor's mouth. (:

[newbie2b]

I think one small occasional glass of wine is ok. I personally havent drank once I found out I was prego. But I did have like 3 mojitos when I was about 2 weeks pregnant  :( of course I didnt know . Anyway, for me, I dont think its worth it. Not because of the baby because I think their fine but, if I'm gonna have a drink I want to DRINK :) lol I'm sorry but I'm not a one glass type person. I didnt drink often at all before I was pregnant (maybe once every few months) but when I did, I had two or three and wine was not my choice of drink (obviously drinking 3 mojitos..lol)

[LisaLuke]

i'd get rid of it or put it somewhere that you won't be tempted.  Its not worth risking it as it's unknown how much or little alcohol is safe during pregnancy.  I read up about this because i had a few drinks before i found out i was pregnant and the effects alcohol can have on a fetus really is shocking.  Good luck :)

[pertykitty]

im not saying you shouldnt , im not saying that im right, BUT there is no scientific findings that it is safe or not safe. so when your dr says it is, its his opinion. ive read most everything about pregnancy i can, from the mayo clinic, to many universities, to drs findings. not once have i ever read that it has been shown to be harmless and safe. now after saying that , id think one or two glasses most likely wouldnt be a problem. its just a risk you have to be willing to take repsonsibilty for IF it should cause a problem. doesnt seem worth it to me over alcohol.

[low22]

I say, if you want a glass every once in awhile, go for it.  Yes, this topic has been debated a lot.  People are either 100% OK with it or 100% not.  What really annoys me is when I go to church and take the wine at communion and I feel like people are staring me down, like I should have skipped it.  Give me a break!  

[chellybeans]

from FIT PREGNANCY:http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yourpregnancy/357?page=1

Foods To Avoid

Here are some foods you may want to avoid while you

[baby9]

i won't touch it during my pregnancy bc I am overly careful about everything, BUT.... think about all of our parents and the people in 60's.... they boozed all the time while they were pregnant and we turned out just fine ;)
I think a small glass of red wine once in a while is fine as long as you are comfortable with it.  I personally don't want to chance it.

[chellybeans]

you are right on that one. when i was pregnant last time my doctor told me a glass of wine a week was okay, provided it was red. she said that it was quite good for heart health. after losing that pregnancy i am one of those gals in hyper safe mode and i take no chances. i have even eliminated caffeine from my diet. lol. that was a big one. before all of this internet hype many women drank a tad and had no issues. my boyfriends mother and i just had this conversation and she told me she drank wine coolers about twice a month with him. usually three or four at a sitting. he is 6'4 and about 220 pounds of strapping bright man now. he was a 10 pound baby. for me i won't even take a chance. the sulfites in wine are what scares me. but if you chose to indulge every once in a while, please makes sure it is just that, every once in a while and very much in moderation.

[luvmybabes]

I would say a biiiiiig no. I just think that as a mother it is your resposiblity to protect that baby growing inside you and you shouldn't want to do anything to harm it. would if something happened? The you would blame yourself for being selfish.

[AndiJ78]

Funny, because I happen the have the big giant Mayo Clinic book and it doesn't at all advocate drinking in pregnancy. In fact it preaches avoidance. It says one drink MAY not hurt, but there is no known safe level of consumption. It doesn't make distinctions between one glass of wine being okay while 1 shot of whiskey isn't. They both contain the same level of alcohol, as does a can of beer. It advocates avoidance from the moment you decide to TTC.

Why risk it? If you can't seem to avoid it, perhaps you should look into why you can't stop drinking it.

I have had a few different OB's and not one has ever said drinking in pregnancy is ok. Not even one solitary glass of wine. As some others have mentioned with various substances, would you put wine in your babies bottle? Have a glass of wine and nurse? They are not able to metabolize it as effectively and there is no reversing damage from it.

Put the wine away, have a glass of grape juice, make a "virgin" drink: 7-up and cranberry juice or something of the like.

Good luck

[jenstam]

I think you are referring to what I said. I did not state that my doctor wrote in the book about it being okay. I just stated that she participated in the making of the book. I treat with her, and she has told me directly as well as others I know that treat with her throughout pregnancy that it is okay occasionally just use common sense. There are many doctors that won't touch this subject for obvious reasons though, which is understandable. This is a personal choice by some. Nobody's opinion is right or wrong. Either way, it is obvious that we all care deeply about our babies. It is always interesting to hear the different views on controversial subjects such as this.

[mom2rachie]

It's your personal choice and I guess it would be ok considering all the reports out there but I just have one question.....
Do you need to have that drink so badly?  You can't wait until after you have the baby?  
It just seems a small price to pay while you're pregnant.  
Pregnant = no drinking

Is that a hard thing to adhere to?
  

[have 2 kids]

In the end it's up to you to decide but why take a chance?  
What's more important?  The glass of wine or a healthy baby?  

[lynne1276]

I am 22 weeks pregnant and have had a total of 2 glasses of red wine.  I have also heard that as long as its red wine it helps with circulation.  I agree that its all personal choices.  I bartend part time and this lady asked me if I was pregnant and I said yes.  She opened her coat and said "oh me too"  AS SHE WAS ORDERING ANOTHER WHITE RUSSIAN!!!!!   I wanted to jump over the bar and strangle her.  I couldn't refuse to serve her but I would have!

[pertykitty]

jenshim i dont mean to pick a fight, i dont mean to disagree, but i am confused how you are almost advocating the glass or two of wine during pregnancy. you can do what you want, and im ok with that. but if you are so for it, having your dr told you its ok, why would you open this thread knowing that most mothers dont see the need to even question alcohol during pregnancy. i love my wine, heck i even loved my cigarettes, but i gave them both up for the safety of my baby. if  i wanted to continue to drink, then i should have waited on getting pregnant. i think with so many women on this forum that have tried for years to become pg or are still waiting, when you suggest something that might possibly hurt the unborn baby, you will get an earful. i just reread what you wrote, you said you didnt ask your dr because you are afraid. i thought you said your dr told you it was ok? which is it?

[pertykitty]

nevermind got my peeps confused.

[jenstam]

No, I'm not advocating it but just stating that an occasional glass of wine is not bad in my opinion and from what I have been told by my doctor. If a woman chooses not to that's great. I really could care less either way. I did not start this post though. It was somebody else. I was just commenting like everyone else was. I think it was Canadian Gal that started the post. Not sure though.

[jenstam]

There is so much conflict about this, and other things...what is a woman supposed to believe? FYI-I work and treat at the Mayo Clinic. My OB doctor has been with the Mayo Clinic for many years and has participated in the making of the book they give pregnant women. She is the doctor that told me an occasional glass of wine is okay. I happen to really like the taste of red wine and enjoy a glass with a meal occasionally. I have only done that twice in this pregnancy, but I am not worried in the least. Of course, it wasn't in the first trimester...as that is the danger zone. I have a friend from France who states that most of the women/girls/relatives she grew up with drank a glass or two of wine with nearly every meal. Pregnancy was not even an issue. They have all turned out perfectly fine and healthy. So, does it differ from one country to the next as to the harmful effects? This is definitely a black and white issue and nobody is wrong. Now, if you are getting drunk and abusing alcohol that is a definite problem and a BIG no-no. Or if you are drinking mixed cocktails and downing shots, common sense that is wrong. RED wine has lots of benefits for everyone.

[TripleAPage]

I'm lucky that I don't even have to make that decision because alcohol is against my religion.  If I did drink though, I would not touch it during pregnancy!  

[Canadian_Gal]

okay WOW. I haven't been able to check my post until today, and was shocked with the answers you girls gave me.  1st I'd like to say thank u thank u for taking time and responding.  I was honestly scared to see what people wrote because I thought I'd get a lot of nasty "what are you thinking!?" responses. My craving has past (thank god!) and I decided against it. But I will be bringing it up with my doctor. I think the hardest part was seeing everyone around me (including my husband) enjoying a drink. My hubby promised me he wouldn't touch a drink again until the baby is born. He didn't realize it was effecting me so much. I'm going to try and stay away completely but it's nice to hear that one small glass might not have an effect....  when I say that I mean it's not written in stone somewhere. Just un'known.  But honestly for all the do's and don'ts we have as pregnant woman I KNOW that each one of you is breaking at least one of those rules.  As you all said.. it's personal choice.
Thank u very much!!

[brittany smithson]

I am with pertykitty and baby prayers. I am trying soooooo hard to get pregnant,I am even on clomid. And if I do I will do anything and everything to make sure I did my part and leave the rest to God. If by chance the baby was born with some problem you would always wonder WHAT IF? I have a friend her baby boy is about to be 3 months and was born with Cleff Palate if that is how you spell it and she has all the info. on it from dr.'s and it said that drinking and smoking contribute to causing Cleff.

[pertykitty]

i do understand the want when others are doing it around you. if you find yourself in a situation where you want a cocktail i read some great ideas. have a juice or clubsoda in a wine glass. make it feel more fun to have that shirley temple! throw some cherries into it so you feel like its a drink. i think your friends should not have brought you alcohol, but hey, you can save it for later right!

[Canadian_Gal]

sorry I missed the bottom bit of your comment. I haven't talked to my doctor about it yet, but I will. Even though I think I'm staying away from it anyways. I've just HEARD of doctors saying one drink on occassion is okay. As long as its one and on the small side.

[kellym]

By the way, have you heard of the FREE wine? It is alcohol free and comes in almost all the flavors... I heard it's pretty good.  When I was preggo I had a calendar at 20 weeks that said Congratulations, celebrate with a cocktail. I bought some alcohol free champagne, it's pretty good!!