Drinking in Pregnancy

[PrincessFiona]

Those studies all seem to define "moderation" as a drink a day. That seems like a lot while pregnant. What if you have one a week, one a month, or just one during your whole nine months?? I honestly can't imagine going nine months without a taste of red wine or a piece of soft cheese. I could, yes, but would a breakdown at 6 months pregnant with brie and crackers and a glass of Cabernet really cause my child to act out at 7?? Doubt it.

Actually, one of the studies defined it as one a week.

The thing is, there is no way to ethically study the effects of an occasional glass etc. How do you *know* what constitutes a dose for you or you fetus that isn't damaging? Basically, people are assuming that 1 drink (example) is harmless...but you can not with 100% certainty say that that 1 drink is not damaging at all. If you can't go with 100%, then don't do it.

I have had the urge to have a sip of wine or champagne during pregnancy but I didn't do it because...I couldn't be 100% certain that there would be no negative repurcussions. I'd rather wait a few months...

[Vanquisher]

I don't understand taking the risk at all. I just don't. I didn't eat fish while pregnant, I didn't drink, I didn't have caffeine, I didn't have artificial sweeteners, I didn't have soft cheese. If I could avoid it and thought that it may have some minute maybe infentesimal chance of harming my child, I didn't touch it.

I did take Zofran. There the risk outweighed the benefit as I was vomiting nonstop without it. I would have rather not had to take it, but I couldn't sustain a healthy pregnany without it. I went through pregnancy hell twice, and every stinking day was pure hell to me. You literally could not give me a billion dollars to do it again.

I really don't understand what the "need" is for a glass or sip or any amount of alcohol is during pregnancy. I have never needed alcohol. EVER. I may have wanted alcohol, but I think that is a distinct sparation between a want and a need.

[Vanquisher]

I really don't understand what the "need" is for a glass or sip or any amount of alcohol is during pregnancy. I have never needed alcohol. EVER. I may have wanted alcohol, but I think that is a distinct sparation between a want and a need.

I've never "needed" to eat out of stress. EVER. I totally don't get it. But I try not to judge.

Ouch.

[MissCrabette]

Let me preface this by repeating that I wouldn't drink.

BUT

How do we know that the self reporting of these studies is done correctly? Women who are likely to be alcoholics are also likely to underreport. The study will show the negative effects of alcohol (caused by the alcoholic women) and they will be correlated with a low number of drinks (since they underreported their alcohol consumption).

Also, what IS a drink? How many of us still measure a drink? A woman may report she had a drink a day, when in reality her glass may have contained two or three drinks.

Wow, I'm not sure that that is fair. There is a big difference between using alcohol for stress relief and using food for stress relief

As a person who is not into drinking at all, I think Annie's statement is totally fair. I have often likened my "stress-eating" to the same relief others get from drinking or smoking. And while reading Heidi's post I was prepared to write basically the same thing Annie did - especially knowing that both Heidi and I share the "stress-eating" thing. I don't think it indicates a drinking problem, per se. Annie isn't getting sloshed w/her "stress relievers", it's just what she finds relaxing.

Back to the topic at hand. I've already stated that I'm not a big drinker, so giving up alcohol was never an issue for me. I did not, however, give up caffiene. I will admit judging people I've seen having a drink while pregnant ~ but then I try to remind myself that an occasional, tiny drink (once you're out of the first trimester) is not that big of a deal. As another poster said - women have been having babies for millions of years, and culturally different things are allowed or taboo. Studies can show almost anything the writer wants them to. Absolutely FAS is a problem, but the occasional glass of wine isn't going to do it.

[PrincessFiona]

I had deleted the post because I was afraid of offending.

It actually may be a fair comparions. Overeating during pregnancy can also cause health issues.

kris

[SuzySunshine]

I had deleted the post because I was afraid of offending.

It actually may be a fair comparions. Overeating during pregnancy can also cause health issues.

kris

I thought I was losing my mind - I couldn't figure out what people were quoting.

Hmmm...I was going to post then read this whole thing. Geez.

But, Annie, you're not the only bad seed. I have had occasional sips of alcohol. All well into the second trimester. If DH was having a nice glass of wine, I would have a sip. I hardly see how that is risky behavior. I've also eaten soft cheese and probably a bunch of other things I shouldn't because they seem like little worries. I don't think I've had any sushi this pregnancy. And I just drank a nice caffiene-y cup of coffee. Give me a corner cell, please.

[Vishenka69]

Both DH and I are in the camp that an occassional glass here and there in the last trimester is ok. Granted it's wine or beer and is accompanied by food. Those of our friends who are in medicine feel the same way, those who aren't believe in avoiding everything possible. The NYTimes article mentioned that in France doctors advise against raw vegetables. I'm sure that will sound somewhat absurd to many in US. That brings the whole discussion back to where does one draw the line.

Personally, while I've never been pregnant, I think that if I had to give up most of the food I enjoy during pregnancy, I would be very crabby and ultimately might blame the kid. Yes, parenthood entails many sacrificies but it doesn't have to be a complete 180 of the current lifestyle and comfort level.

[PrincessFiona]

I can delete the quote if you want me to, but I think it makes for a good point. Let me know.


:!

I think you should leave it up...I guess the reason that I deleted it is that I've been taken to task sometimes for being an admin AND being inflammatory at the same time My brain is so confused.

kris

[MissCrabette]

ITA with Lily. Also what does "as little as one drink per week" mean? Did they lump the one drink a week people with the alcohol abusers?

[houseelf]

I've consumed alcohol, sushi, coffee, caffeine, fish, and certain medications (albeit mostly when I was unknowingly pregnant). I've also run, rode a bike, and enjoyed some mild amusement park rides. This is especially true with my first pregnancy when I didn't know that I was pregnant until my 11th week.

In turn, for my second pregnancy, I prepeared by cutting WAY back on running, taking prenatal vitamins, eschewing all medicine and alcohol. I miscarried at 11 weeks.

I took a middle ground approach for my third pregnancy and had a felicitious and healthy outcome.

I guess that there is a continuum of dangerous behavior and each individual has to make her own choice. Some individuals are able to undergo the poison of chemo or depression medication and everything turns out fine. Some live like saints and endure unhappy outcomes.

We all have to make out choices and live with whatever outcome. This doesn't mean that I advocate a devil-may-care approach, but I guess that I am advocating a little tolerance and the belief that most mothers-to-be care enough to at least contemplate their choices.

ETA: I completely agree with Lilly's analysis of the following:

A 2001 study by researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit found that 6- and 7-year-old children of mothers who had as little as one drink a week during pregnancy were more likely than children of non-drinkers to have behavior problems, such as aggressive and delinquent behaviors. These researchers found that children whose mothers drank any alcohol during pregnancy were more than three times as likely as unexposed children to demonstrate delinquent behaviors.

Talk about confounding factors to prove a point. At best this study can show correlation, but can not prove causation. This is an irresponsible piece of drivel in order to prove a point.

Kelly

[pstone]

I think the point is why risk anything with your kid?

Nine months, give it a rest for nine months.

boggle

[PrincessFiona]

This is an irresponsible piece of drivel in order to prove a point.

Kelly

Ouch...wow....I think I need a drink.


:>


kris

[houseelf]

Hey, first round is on me!

Kelly