Would you drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant?

[wanting4#1]

So, I know that there are some that will say it's okay to drink an occasional beer or glass of wine while pregnant, but I just can't subscribe to that. However, I have been wondering about non-alcoholic beer. There is a small amount of alcohol present, but I've heard it's negligible; BUT it is still there!

Would you drink non-alcoholic beer during pregnancy? Please post comments, as well..I'm very torn about this as I miss the taste of beer and would like to be able to do something other than drink cranberry and sprite when I am out with friends!

[adgal]

I too have to say moderation is the key.  The first few times I was pregnant I was over the top about what I ate or drank, almost to the point of paranoia. I have relaxed quite a bit this pregnancy.  I enjoy coffee (yep, with caffeine) at times, I ate Sushi once and I had a glass of wine at my cousin's wedding (just 1).  I would not have done any of those things previously...and this is the first pregnancy that is healthy!  As Tator said so well, everyone has to set their own limits and stay within their comfort zone.  And of course always do what is healthy for their baby and themselves.  I am the Queen of running everything past my OB as I do really trust her judgment and so far nothing I have done seems to be problematic.  My little guy is doing great and I am a lot more relaxed not stressing over every thing as I did before.  Common sense and moderation are truly the key I think.  

[tatorbug40]

everyone has to decide with-in limits what is right for them....  I continued to eat a lot of fish throughout my pregnancy-  at least once or twice a week (crab boils and sushi- the cooked kind)....  I did however cut out the cold cuts...  everyone will fine their own items to exclude and include during pregnancy and everything is probably fine within limits (unless you want an occasional injection of herion or something like that!)!  I think it is great to unwind and enjoy your life, even when pregnant-  so go for it...  I didn't do alcohol, except for perhaps one to two glasses total of wine in the third trimester, but I didn't really crave it or have a terrible hard time with not drinking it....  so I didn't do it...  but I don't think it will hurt anything!  (see kelly and jen both have healthy beautiful children (and LOT of them between the two of them!))...  you'll be fine!  LOL!

[jenstam]

I will have an occasional glass of beer or wine with my husband or dinner. I've done this with every one of my pregnancies. My doctor actually tells me it's fine, and like the others said, to each his own...and those warnings are more for people that can't stick to just one. I have a close friend that drank a glass of wine every single evening. She had a lot of BH contractions and the wine helped. Of course, this was mostly in the last half of her pregnancy, after all major systems were developed. Same with myself.

[wanting4#1]

Well, I'm having a surprise dinner for DH tonight so I got a 6 pack of O'Doul's!  For me, it's more about not feeling excluded or wanting something I can't have. If this tastes good, I think that I will continue to have one during special times.  I have a complex, as it is, about 'being left out', etc. so if this compromise helps alleviate some of that for me, and it's still safe for the baby (which I concur...I think it is), then I feel good about my decision.

But I also concede that it is a very personal and very sensitive topic.  Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts with me on this!! ;)

[kellym]

You're so sweet Amanda. I agree that most of the warning is for people that just can't have one. But, people have very strong opinions on alcohol at all during pregnancy.

[naturschld]

I read an article that said that the ones that put out the warnings on alcohol during pregnancy don't trust people to know when to say when, so they totally ban it.  Also, that alot of the dr's out there think its just fine, but can't say that or they could get their license taken away.  As adgal said, I doubt Europe is filled with unhealthy children from an occasional glass of wine.  Our ancestors drank wine and ale/mead because the water wasn't very clean back then, and more recently in the 20th century, they thought it was good for you.  Funny that most of us turned out half decent.:)  I think a drink every once in a while is fine.  I subscribe to the everything in moderation theory.  I had a beer or glass of wine maybe once a week later on in my pregnancy and my child is healthy, active, and so smart (mommy's opinion).  lol  Just my thoughts, each to his own opinion and way of life.