wine

[tisa1029]

I was wondering if anyone has drinkin alcohol while pregnant? I am 26 weeks pregnant and heard that a couple glasses of wine is ok. I am just seeing what people have to say about it. Ty for any info

[ibizan]

Again more overreacting and being thin skinned to comments and opinions listed here.Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a serious issue and health problem in this country.U want to see FAS screaming u should see it in the American Indian populations child bearing women ages 20-30's.I hope u take the good information ppl have posted to u and put it to good use.

[MJIthewriter]

I didn't see your post until I submitted, but the same applies. I'm not just replying to the original question, but also typing for those who may not be logged in and reading this. Since they haven't created accounts, no one knows what people read these posts each day and their background. Who knows, maybe someone who is a serious drinker stumbles upon this and find themselves wondering.

[MJIthewriter]

Most of the things I post, I don't intend to be read by just the members on the forum, but I also write for the lurkers. I don't know how you found this community, but I have a suspicion that you probably looked up something on google.com (or some other search engine) and this site pulled up.  If you found this site through google, chances are there are many people looking at this very post as we type.  Hopefully they will find these comments very helpful if they have an open mind and willing to learn.

[tisa1029]

I had quit reading the messages b/c of what people have said and how they act. I asked a question and people seem to answer like I drink everyday all day when I DO NOT.

[ibizan]

ppl here personalize statements and many times r too thin skinned and overreact.No one is ridiculing anyone ..u r reading things into a statement that has nothing 2 do with u.I do practice somewhere.....licensed substance abuse counselor for 23 years..sober and clean 24.no one is ridiculing anyone!U have been sober for 3 months?Ativan not a good drug for recovering folks...benzos are habit forming.

[WhatIsNormal]

I am on Ativan 2mg. My Psychiatrist, family dr, and therapist know my full history. Sometimes that is all that will work for that particular indiviual. Everyone does not fit into a box. Sometimes the alternatives are no that effective. It's never cute to assume you know EVERYTING. Everybody here has different situations, stories , backrounds. To say that girl must have a problem. C'mon. If your so experienced in psychology you should be out practicing somewhere. Leave the girl alone. She asked a simple question. It's my understanding that this place is for feedback, not ridicule from people who have nothing better to do. Tisa, make up your own mind, ask your doctor, don't feel like you can no longer ask questions at medhelp. Most people are very nice and helpful. GoodLuck

[ibizan]

i don't believe that ppl come here asking questions for the purposes of taking a survey!i think ppl have issues and may not readily admit them.If Tisa feels picked on then a chord musta been struck!And if it makes her think twice hallelujah!I don't feel the need for apologizing to ppl if it isn't warranted we don't spend time posting here to hurt ppl's feelings....good concise truthful opinions/information are elicited here....many of us have been there...done that...have made a committment to not go there on a daily basis!I can only hope readers think about what we post and put it to good use for themselves!Amen!!!!

[adgal]

While its true there were many things our mothers and grandmothers did that was deemed ok, and is now considered taboo, there are valid reasons for this.  Better technology, advanced research, and just plain old learning from the past.  It used to be considered just fine to smoke and drink during a pregnancy.  We now know these actions can lead to problems.  All of the time, no.  But to me its a bit like playing Russian Roulette with a loaded gun.  It used to be legal (or at least in was socially acceptable) to drink and drive.  We never used to have to wear helmets while riding a bike.  We now save lives because of the changes to these laws.  When you read up on FAS, most of the studies show that it takes an awful lot of alchol to create this problem.  But who knows for sure?  During a pregnancy every decision should weigh the potential benefits agains the potential risks.  I also enjoy wine, and my Dr. too has said its good for me to enjoy my daily glass (yep just 1).  But not during a pregnancy.  The risk outweighs the benefit.  There was a time they did think it was a good thing to have a a glass of wine during pregnancy, now we know differently. During a pregnancy we try to eat right, stay away from smoking, etc.  for valid reasons.  Drinking to me is no different, it just isn't worth it.

Tisa, I am sorry if you feel picked on.  I didn't assume anything about your drinking habits or whether or not you had or were planning on drinking during your pregnancy.  I aplogize if anything I said made you feel differently.  I think this was a great post and has raised some interesting questions/feedback.  I truly wish you well, and hope you have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

[ibizan]

i have found in dayjob that many ppl with alcohol problems don't tell their family doctors of the problem...don't want the lecture or the scrutinization.They also get benzodiazepines from their docs and if they tell them about the alcohol no benzos!

[MJIthewriter]

What I read about wine and antioxidents was it turned out to not be the alcohol but the grape skins. You can probably drink nonalcoholic grape juice and get the same benefits.

[WhatIsNormal]

Hello, WOW, there is alot of feedback on this one. When I was pregnant my Dr. and Midwife told me that a glass of wine(6oz.) was not only ok to drink but helpful for both me and my son. They said that is was helpful because it increases bloodflow to the uterus, and also is very good for an adult in moderation, because of the antioxidants. I don't like wine and have issues with addiction, so I knew that it was safer for me to stay away from it. I think the bottom line is ask you'r Dr. if you are having trouble relaxing at night, it may be something he or she would recommend. There are alot of opinions out there, you have to come to your own conclusion. And also if you have issues with addiction and think one small glass might lead to two......Then stay away. My personal opinion is that there are alot of things that women have done for years that are "taboo" now that never hurt anyone. We are a society that can border rediculous at times, when it comes to being overly cautious. Ask your DR.

[MJIthewriter]

The general consensus is no. It's not okay.

No we're not trying to put you on the spotlight. I may be a bit harsh, but sometimes I can’t help it. Sometimes there’s no way to sugarcoat a bitter pill, especially when it involves at least two lives...

[tisa1029]

I have not ever said that I have drank anything. I was just wondering. I heard that it was ok and wanted to know if it was ok.

[MJIthewriter]

To add onto that, are you sure that "couple glasses of wine" would only be a couple glasses?  I'm not sure how you drink. I just know from reading several posts here and elsewhere that often a "couple" anything alcoholic turns into something far more than intended.

[girlybuff]

Honestly without going into details, if you feel the need to question the safety of your unborn child maybe you should take a deeper look at why you would ewven consider it?  Do you need to drink that badly that you can't wait?  
Congrats on your pregnancy and I will keep you in my thoughts.

[walternowotny]

I have a story about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
When I went to 1st grade back in the"old country" there were kids from local orphanage.They all looked very similar.They were not dressed the same way but even then you they were from"kid's home"(official name of orphanage)They just were"different".And they didn't do well at school....Years later when I was in medical school I saw an old picture of my 1st grade class.All those kids from orphanage had typical features of FAS.
Walter
P.S.There is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy

[zenno]

quote; ibizan''  and i would think it would feel like an irritant to their delicate development!
I couldn't agree more.

[ibizan]

If a woman cannot refrain from drinking during her pregnancy then that is an indication of a problem in my opinion.I have seen children ages 17 mos. to adults with the effects of FAS.i recall one man age 23 with severe FAS features.Very polite young man with a speech impediment.I was doing his alcohol/drug use history and I asked about whether or not his parents had a history of alcohol problems.He sighed and replied "My Mama was dead drunk when I was born".The 17 mos.old did not seem to have the ability to pull herself up from a sitting position,just kept rolling over.That 17 month old today is a 16 year old girl( whose mom is an alcoholic/crack addict) who is primarily a pot smoker and who has had two miscarriages ALREADY!such poor role modeling from her mother.Extremes and horror stories u the reader may think but this is what i see in my daily job as a substance abuse counselor!

[MJIthewriter]

Thanks. I wish I could have thought about pulling it up earlier with my first post, but I guess I thought the short answer was enough. I stumbled upon that site a while ago and was reminded of it when reading the post. I still can't believe jml1986's doctor though... I guess 22 years ago they probably didn't know as much as they know now, hence the misinformation. I suppose the spectrum disorders probably weren't known very well back then. Most people probably thought only about the worst cases...and didn't understand the minor ones...

Here's the PDF they linked to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/documents/Released%20Advisory.pdf

[adgal]

I know there is so much debate on this subject.  As I am currently trying to conceive, I hear so many different opinions for so many friends and family members.  I think the bottom line is, why chance it.  Surely 9 months is not too long to give up drinking to feel 100% sure.  And if you did take a few drinks or more during pregnancy, and something did happen, could you live with that?  I know I couldn't.  Good for you MJ for pulling up all that info.  Education is the key here, and its good info. Your not being harsh at all.

[ibizan]

u r not being harsh when it comes to consuming alcohol and fetal development!I'm in ur corner dear!Fetuses don't ask for a drink and i would think it would feel like an irritant to their delicate development!

[MJIthewriter]

As copied from the same page:
"Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics or exhibit the following behaviors:
Small size for gestational age or small stature in relation to peers
Facial abnormalities such as small eye openings
Poor coordination
Hyperactive behavior
Learning disabilities
Developmental disabilities (e.g., speech and language delays)
Mental retardation or low IQ
Problems with daily living
Poor reasoning and judgment skills
Sleep and sucking disturbances in infancy

Children with FASDs are at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education. These are secondary conditions that an individual is not born with but might acquire as a result of FAS or a related disorder. These conditions can be very serious, but there are protective factors that have been found to help individuals with FASDs. For example, a child who is diagnosed early in life can be placed in appropriate educational classes and given access to social services that can help the child and his or her family. Children with FASDs who receive special education are more likely to achieve their developmental and educational potential. In addition, children with FASDs need a loving, nurturing, and stable home life to avoid disruptions, transient lifestyles, or harmful relationships. Children with FASDs who live in abusive or unstable homes or who become involved in youth violence are much more likely than those who do not have such negative experiences to develop secondary conditions.

If you think your child might have an FASD, contact your doctor who might be able to refer you to a specialist who can assess your child."

[MJIthewriter]

I'm sorry for being so harsh, but I am concerned about that baby.

Here's more stuff on the web page I'd like you all to read:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/fasask.htm#how

[MJIthewriter]

I accidently posted this somewhere else on the same forum so it messed up the order I wanted people here to read, but please take time to read this one as well.

Quoted from the same site as above:
"When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her unborn baby.  There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant and there also does not appear to be a safe time to drink during pregnancy either.  Therefore, it is recommended that women abstain from drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy.  Women who are sexually active and do not use effective birth control should also refrain from drinking because they could become pregnant and not know for several weeks or more."