Wondering How Many Moms -To- Be Actually Have a Glass of Wine from Time to Time

Updated on December 29, 2010
E.R. asks from Corona, CA
59 answers

I'm 26 weeks pregnant. Throughout this pregnancy (so far) I have completely abstained from drinking that so called ''allowed'' glass of wine from time to time. I'm just wondering how many of you moms actually drank wine while pregnant. With the holiday season upon us it's so hard to say no to a glass of wine especially when I've abstained this long. I want to give in but I feel so guilty about doing so. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you! P.S: NO, I AM NOT AN ALCOHOLIC-NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, DON'T HAVE ONE NOW. I ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT MOMS TO BE THAT DRINK A GLASS OF WINE EVER SO OFTEN, I AM JUST WONDERING. AND YES, I CAN ABSTAIN THE REST OF THE 14 WEEKS I HAVE LEFT TO GO!

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Featured Answers

A.B.

answers from Dallas on

I sipped on a glass of red wine while pregnant a few times and my precious two-year-old son is a-okay! Don't feel guilty AT ALL. Merry Christmas!!!

8 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Ha! I waited until I was out of the first trimester with both kids. After that, I allowed myself a glass/beer a week. Sometimes I had it, many times I didn't. But that was just because I didn't want it. Not because I didn't think I should have it. 2 healthy babies later, no problem!

With DS: We went to Amsterdam and "had some fun" there in the local way, and also visited Brussels (DH and I are beer snobs and fans). I didn't know I was pregnant yet, so I spent a week drunk and high. Oops!

With DD: We went to Ireland when I was 20 weeks. I had a beer every day. She's healthy as can be.

New research is coming out in England that it's OK to have a drink from time to time. The concern has always been when alcohol is a problem to begin with.

7 moms found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

My doctor told me it would be fine to have a glass here and there so I did. Only 1 glass and it wasn't very often but definately nice to have. All three of my kiddos are fine! Happy Holidays!

5 moms found this helpful

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I.*.

answers from Columbus on

I'll be honest, I have had a glass from time to time while pregnant with all three of my kids. All of them are very healthy. I would limit to only one glass and only from time to time if you do so.

You might get some nasty comments for asking but I don't think a glass of wine during pregnancy is any worse than those moms who down a Big Mac and large fries every day.

15 moms found this helpful

C.G.

answers from Denver on

One glass is not going to hurt anything. Plenty of OB doctor's will say this.

9 moms found this helpful

C.F.

answers from Boston on

I had my one glass of wine a month ! NO GUILT either. my DS is a Happy and Healthy 1 1/2 YO! But if your not going to "enjoy" it, and just feel guilty about doing so, Why drink one? I Enjoyed mine when I had it!
Have a nice glass of Red :-) Merry Christmas !

9 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Boston on

I didn't but ONLY because I got terrible migraines both pregnancies and didn't want to do anything to exacerbate them. Here's what I did do:

Had one cup of caffeinated coffee each day.
Ate tuna fish sandwiches one or two times per week
Ate deli meats
Ate tons of peanuts and peanut products
Didn't take prenatal vitamins

My kids are beyond fine - they're great! Now, I don't normally buy into the "we did it and we're fine" argument, but I do think that there's a serious amount of fear mongering out there for pregnant women. You are a PERSON with a BRAIN - not just an incubator. Make good, reasonable choices and your baby will be fine.

7 moms found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Eugene on

I'm not going to read the other answer so I feel totally honest. Yes, I drank with both my pregnancies. I drank 3-4 nights a week with my second son, usually about 2-4 oz of wine (I have little juice glasses that are 4 oz so I can see the amount). I think the "rule" about not drinking in pregnancy is paternalistic and part of the puritanical and misogynistic US culture. First, have likely ALWAYS women drank during pregnancy, second, across cultures many women continue to drink during pregnancy (just confirmed this with my French co-worker), third studies suggest that small amounts during pregnancy are NOT harmful...Yes, no one wants to do a study to find out the threshold--fair enough--but women should be trusted with our bodies and it's clear that a few small drinks a week is NOT harmful--so trust that women will want was is best for their children. Furthermore, (this always makes me so frustrated) our air and water is so, so polluted--you don't hear the gov't freaking out to clean up that so that our babies are safer or telling us to stay in a bubble during pregnancy. I would never want to hurt my baby and I'm a researcher so I looked into the research and then I drank. And have two beautiful, amazing sons too! I say enjoy a glass during the holidays!

6 moms found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Jacksonville on

I did. Well, I had Guinness. They're my weakness. I'd sip more than drink, and always after eating. I drank very rarely, and my daughter came out FINE. She's actually pretty mellow, I'm not sure if drinking had anything to do with that. I remember reading on babycenter.com the comparisons of moms who drank vs moms who didn't, and the general agreement was that those who drank tended to have children who were calmer than those who didn't.

*shrug*

4 moms found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Wichita on

I drank about a glass of wine a month with my kids. They both turned out fine. As long as you don't overdo it I think it's just fine.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have three children. With my first one, I would occasionally take a sip of my husband's drinks if he was trying something new. With my second, I would have a 1/2 a drink every now and again. With my third, I would have about one glass of wine (or its equivalent) every two or three weeks. One glass was always enough. Even now, that's really all I want.

All three children were born healthy and strong.

I did get strange looks, but I never let them bother me. Mostly, because I didn't want other people to judge me, I would have my drink at home, in the evening, with my husband as he rubbed my feet. It was very nice.

4 moms found this helpful

E.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am tempted to not even read the responses since by your update, it looks like some "helpful" mamas got a little off topic or judgmental?

Sigh. I abstained. My doctors said I could have an occassional glass of wine with meals. I chose not to I think because the smell and taste didn't appeal to me when pregnant and also because I would have been so anxious about the mama-nazis judging me.

Reason and moderation is the approach most Europeans take with alcohol and their babies seem fine. I have no idea why Americans have to be so black-and-white. It is either Heaven/Hell -- Sink/Swim - Never/Always - Abstain/Alcoholic. Gee whiz -- The world is not that simple. Our choices and their consequences come in 100s of shades of gray.

4 moms found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

I'm glad you asked this question, I was just wondering this myself. I'm 27 weeks pregnant now with baby number 2. When I was pregnant the first time I did have a drink (1/2 to 1 glass of wine or champagne) occasionally, mostly for things like weddings or other special events. I did wait until late in the pregnancy (3rd trimester), but I spoke with my OB about it and he said not to worry about it at all. I also drank fairly heavily for me, 5 or 6 drinks, at a party before I knew I was pregnant the first time. I gave birth to a healthy, brilliant little boy who is now 3.
With this second pregnancy I have been craving beer. I have made do with sips of my husband's until about 4 days ago, when we actually split one. I never knew 1/2 a beer could taste so good :).
Anyway, like I said my OB, who I trust very much, has assured me that an occasional drink during pregnancy is not something to be concerned about. Some people are going to judge you if they see you drinking, but that doesn't have to be your problem. Some people already have judged you for posting this question, I especially liked the one who asked if you would give alcohol to an infant. The point is that there is a big difference between enjoying a holiday glass of wine and being a mom who doesn't care about the well-being of her unborn child.
Good luck with your decision and have a great holiday!

4 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Scranton on

I have 3 children, through the first 2 pregnancies I didn't touch a drop. The last preganacy we were on a charity motorcycle ride and stopped at a bar. Hubby got a beer. As I was standing there I was thirsty but the line to get a drink was out the door long. So I drank a couple gulps of hubby's beer. Baby's fine, no ill effects. But I through the first pregnancy I was paranoid and didn't want to take any risks. The second I was so sick through the entire pregnancy and had trouble with bleeding even the smell of alcohol made me sick. By the last pregnancy I was more relaxed and knowlegeable tward things I could do safely. So the decision is yours.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I did with both my pregnancies. I like wine, a lot :) No, I'm not an alcoholic either. I just like wine a lot :D You would be perfectly fine having a glass or two. Enjoy a nice glass with your Christmas dinner or a toast on New Years Eve. Just don't over do it :D

3 moms found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

I never had a whole glass of wine, but I would have a couple of sips of my husband's drink occasionally throughout both pregnancies, and both children were born healthy and smart. There was a study done in England that found babies born to mothers who had an occasional glass of wine during pregnancy scored better on tests than those of mothers who abstained completely. I'd like to see if that study can be duplicated, because I don't know how true it is, but it's interesting, at least.

3 moms found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

with #2 I had a wine cooler at our wedding reception. with #4 I didn't even know I was shy of 2 months and had quite abit to drink two nights in a row. with #5 I had 2 wine coolers at about 6 and 8 months along at family gatherings. All 5 of my kids came out just fine. And actually with #1 and #3 never drank and they have ADD. So... Im sure everything will be just fine as long as its done smartly.
Also~ my grandmother would always offer me a beer everytime I seen her ( she didn't drink but it was in the house) she would tell me that the malt in the beer was good for the breast milk... never took her up on it since I don't like beer lol but she said she did it with all of her kids and she had 6 healthy kids.
Have fun (smartly) and Merry Christmas :)

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

I have never heard that a glass of wine is OK durring pregnancy. The only thing I have heard, is that they do not know what a safe amount of alcohol is, and that may even be different for different women, so no amount of alcohol is considered safe. I never drank wile I was pregnant, I like wine, but it was not something that really gave me an issue. I would say, try the non alcoholic wine if you feel like you really want some. I might have more trouble if it were something like coffee, but there is decaf...

As long as I am responding, I do have disabled kids, and no drink would be worth that heart ache. You want to give your children every chance in life, and there are other things that can go wrong, but you don't want to dirnk one into existance. I have met some kids with FAS. It is one of the most confoundingly difficult disablities you will ever encounter. More devistating than ADHD and Aspeger, from my persepctive. Children with other disablities make progress much more easily.

M.

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L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I am not a drinker, at all. I think I can count on my hands how many drinks I have had in my life, and I am 33! That being said, a couple of weeks ago my girlfriend and I went out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. YUM! I had never been. I told my girlfriend she should order a mojito, that they are yummy, but she was embarassed to do so. So, there I am, 35 weeks pregnant, ordering a good drink. I am sure the waitresses talked about me lol! But, the drink came and I took a few sips and it took everything I was not to down that whole drink! IT WAS SO GOOD!
I would say that as long as you are just having a drink every once in a while you are probably fine. Of course, you always want to check with your OB, but kids have been born to moms that have had random drinks for years and have turned out just fine!
L.

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

The way I look at it...a lot of kids turn out fine, if their mom has a drink every once in a while. Some don't. So...simply because there is a chance, it could hurt my child...I would never touch it. I can't understand how it's even worth it. I'm truly surprised, that some people do. I can't believe it.

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R.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had a few glasses with both my pregnancies. Never more than one glass in a sitting. and I always waiting until I was past 13 or 14 weeks. I prob had 3 glasses with my first, and maybe 4 or 5 with my second. They are both happy/healthy kids. My OB even told me to drink a glass of wine b/c of some anxiety I was having.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I didn't drink when I was pregnant. I may have wanted to, but I didn't.
Is 40 weeks really too long to wait? Will it cause you un-needed worry if you do?
Happy Holidays!

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B.M.

answers from Allentown on

I can't help but wonder if the mommas that are so against having a glass of wine, or a beer because it can cross the placenta (effects of a small amount are not known) were just as against the use of drugs during delivery because the effects of that on the baby ARE known and proven? labor inducing, pain killers, etc. Just a thought!
Indecently, in answer to your question: (and let the mommas roar) In my third trimester I would have a small glass of wine occasionally or would have a sip or two of my hubbys beer if we were having dinner. I really craved a cold beer toward the end...I guess cause I couldn't have it. I had a glass of wine when labor started with both of my boys....that was the only drug I had during delivery, and that helped me to relax and not be so tense about the whole birth. 1st son: I labored at home until the last minute so I could do things MY way, he was born with in 10 mins of arriving at the hospital. 2nd son: I had a home delivery with the assistance of a midwife, my husband and mother. Midwife had no problem with the glass of wine.
I think it is up to each momma- and if you know that you are not overindulging so as to hurt your baby. You have to firmly believe that tho- so you KNOW that even if something were to happen to your child, you wouldn't be blaming yourself because of having had a glass of wine.

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T.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a bit of wine every now and then, e.g. white wine with sparkling water. i think preservatives and junk food are so much worse. and my boy is perfectly healthy and strong.

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C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

My OB, told me a glass or 2 of red wine was fine, I waited until I was 6 mths.... I was induced on Dec 13, and call me what you want, but on Dec 12, I was like a little kid waiting for Santa, so I had glass of wine the night before having my daughter to help me sleep! I say have a glass of wine, enjoy it and Merry Christmas!!

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I never did but I'm not a big drinker to begin with. It seems that a lot of drs say its okay but I always say better safe than sorry. God forbid but if your baby is born with something wrong, you'll always wonder "what if it was the wine?" even if it wasn't...or at least that's how I would be! but then again, i did have the occasional caffeine b/c my dr said it was okay... i say go with what you're comfortable with (and w/ dr's orders of course) :)

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M.B.

answers from Dayton on

I did occaisonally with all 4 pregnancies. My cousin's OB told her that one glass of wine a week was fine. Normally I waited until about the 2nd trimester. Four healthy, beautiful boys!

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T.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sorry to hear your update...I wouldn't consider you an alcoholic! Try not to stress too much over the issue...the stress is probably worse than the glass of wine!!

During my pregnancy...I figured it would be eaiser not to drink at all. Then around the holidays I had a glass of wine with dinner. I HATED the taste. It smelled bad and tasted worse. I made my husband taste it to see if it was the wine or me. He told me that the wine tasted fine, so evidently it was me. As long as the doctors are still saying an occasional glass of wine is ok (mine said it was ok...but that was 8 years ago). I don't see a problem at all. Of course it may not even be an issue if your tastebuds are all messed up and wine doesn't taste good to you. Before I was pregnant I liked to drink beer on occasion, after 2 pregnancies (and 8 years) I can't stand to even smell beer. Guess the pregnancies totally changed my tastebuds or something. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

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K.F.

answers from Syracuse on

I think you should do what you feel is right. Personally I felt abstaining from alcohol all together was the right choice for me.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I'll have a glass ever so often now, but never while I was pregnant.
It took 4 years of trying and finally got with a fertility specialist to get pregnant.
After all that, I wasn't going to do anything that could have even a remote chance it might possibility harm my baby.
I went out of my way to find no alcohol mouth wash while I was pregnant.
I was probably over the top cautious, but he's a wonderful, smart, funny, gifted well behaved sweetheart of a child. I think I did good.

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S.H.

answers from San Diego on

I was pregnant over Thanksgiving (3 months at the time) and so was my cousin. I hadn't had any wine and hadn't even desired it (when not pregnant I love wine). While she was having a small glass of wine, I thought, "hmm, that might sound good, maybe I'll have a small glass with dinner." Poured it, smelled it (wasn't thrilled) and then sipped it - just didn't taste good to me (it was a good bottle that I normally like). As we all know, our taste changes while pregnant. I normally love wine, but my body while pregnant just didn't like it.

I would say that if you really want to have a glass during the holidays to go ahead and try it - you might find that you don't even want it. One small glass will be fine.

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C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Sure, I had a glass of wine every now and then during pregnancy. (And both of my kids are as beautiful and smart as a mom could hope for... one of them actually skipped a grade and appears to have genius-level intelligence, go figure.)

I didn't feel badly about it because literally everywhere else in the world, this is not a big deal. My SIL had both of her babies in Italy, where it is common to start one's day with a cup of Cappuccino and to have wine with dinner, whether or not one is pregnant. Having visited her in Italy many times, not only are her children perfectly normal, so are all of the other Italians I've met. Additionally, in our grandparents' generation, abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy was considered abnormal! (Doctors felt women would become overwrought and lose the baby - this, as per my grandmother who had 7 normal, healthy babies.) Yes, it's true. The "Greatest Generation" drank while pregnant. And yet, their children went on to be productive members of society.

So in short, don't drink like a fish, but a drink here or there will certainly not hurt anything. This wouldn't even be a question if you lived anywhere else in the world. My own OB/GYN said that he fully supports a glass of wine for pregnant mamas when they are past the first trimester. Not a big deal. Enjoy!

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

Had a few sips. Never had a whole glass, but then a whole glass of wine makes me feel drunk.

I did make some weak hot toddies when I had a horrible cold. There is more alcohol in cough syrup than in my toddies. I only did this because I truly could not breathe.

I tried that again while nursing (I get a lot of upper respiratory infections) and it seemed like my baby jerked around in his sleep afterwards, so I stopped.

Coffee was my big vice while pregnant, but for both of my healthy pregnancies, I couldn't stomach it until I was well into the 2nd trimester.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BABY!

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K.U.

answers from Detroit on

With 1 month to go, I had a Mike's Hard Lemonade - it was summer, I was really missing it, and I had not had one drop of alcohol my whole pregnancy. I figured at that point, it wasn't going to hurt the baby in any way. My cousin did the same thing with 2 weeks left to go and had one beer. Both of our kids are fine.

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K.F.

answers from Cleveland on

Yup I had a glass around 30 weeks and another around 38 weeks. It was my second pregnancy, I never did and never wanted to during my first pregnancy but the second one was much different, I NEEDED a glass by the third trimester! My baby is perfectly fine :)

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T.R.

answers from San Diego on

Someone may have said this already, I didn't read all the responses. However my friend, who is French and an obgyn, said that you may have up to 4 oz. This is just about a third of a regular sized wine glass. Of course, you never want to feel tipsy b/c then you've definitely had too much. I never could 'indulge' in a glass only b/c it tasted like metal to me, but there were certainly times, especially during the holidays, when a glass of wine sounded very nice. From the advise of my friend, you'd have to really tie one on to do damage - but then again she's French and drank wine with every one of her pregnancies! :o)

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K.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

PLEASE do not have any alcohol. Some people may say that it's ok, especially since you are so far along in your pregnancy. There are still many organs and systems that need to develop in your baby. Think about it, if you were to have your baby right now he/she would be considered premature and would have to live in the NICU for several weeks.
My OBGYN was very very relaxed with so many things when I was pregnant. I used to think that she was too relaxed! BUT, one thing she definitely stressed was no alcohol at all what so ever.
So not worth it!

P.S. Good for you for caring enough to investigate this instead of just going ahead and justifying having a drink! :-)

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A.E.

answers from New York on

i was pregnant with my son during the holidays last year. my struggle came on new years, i was being told from every other mother in the room that it was just fine to have glass of wine on occasion, though i was feeling guilty. i gave in about half way through the party and had a glass with a few ice cubes (somehow the fact that i was adding water to my glass and taking up room that wine normally would eased my mind) and nursed it until midnight. ultimatley i feel you will be fine as long as you are far enough along (out of the first trimester) and dont take advantage and turn an occasional glass into a bottle! you know your body best and you know your baby best, so do what you feel is ok.

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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think as long as you drink in moderation it's not a problem. I have been drinking coffee in the morning but only half a cup. My doctor said it was OK if I limit the amount. It's the same with wine. Personally, I don't drink wine during my pregnancies, because I'm not used to it. I love wine but I rarely drink it so when I have some I can get buzzed after only a few sips. During all the holiday parties I've just limited myself to smelling the wine. It's turned into a cute little joke with my relatives. Everytime someone opens a new bottle of wine they pay the toll of letting me sniff the first glass. LOL

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T.F.

answers from Eugene on

When I was pregnant with my son I had just a couple of glasses of wine (on different occasions). I waited until after the 6 month mark - why I don't know. I'd say if you are wanting a glass of alcohol - go for it. It's not like you are going to go and drink the whole bottle in one sitting. Enjoy the holidays. If you don't want or feel you shouldn't when you are out with friends this season - put whatever you are drinking in a wine glass. Then you are not stuck with a cup.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I touched nothing with the first three by number 4 I had that glass of champaign and sex on New Year's Eve, he still waited 10 more days!! The stinker.
I do not consider you an alcoholic.

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was told up to one small glass of wine was okay. So I did a couple of times a week.
I was told that caffeine was waaaaaay worse, so I totally abstained from my morning cup of tea and ice tea (I don't drink coffee). I missed my tea!
Congenital hearts probs run in the family. So with my third (because I was over 35) they sent me to a neonatal cardiologist for one of the most detailed (in color) ultrasounds I'd ever seen; so that the dr could check her heart - which turned out to be fine. But he showed me this little flap leading to the heart and explained that it flutters one direction to allow the blood to flow TO the heart. If you drink caffeine, it causes that flap to flutter both directions and the blood moves back and forth and doesn't flow smoothly. Totally freaked me out and so I went from limiting to my caffeine to abstaining!!!!!!

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M.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a couple glasses of wine during pregnancy and 2 margaritas. My baby was born happy and healthy at 11 lbs. I have researched this issue extensively and the problem with drinking during pregnancy is if you consume several glasses a day. It is common for women in France to have wine while pregnant. I say have a glass and enjoy it. However, I would watch yourself about doing it in public because others will criticize. Happy Holidays!

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T.S.

answers from San Diego on

At 27 weeks, you will be in your third trimester. At this point, most of the intricate processes involved in the development of your baby is done. The last stretch is for the baby to put on weight/fat, and the lungs to mature. Drinking in high moderation (a glass of wine or 1/2 bottle of beer, both WITH FOOD) should be OK. Just know that you will get the stinky eye from lots of people, though.

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E.K.

answers from Portland on

Don't drink it isn't worth it. If the baby turns out not right you don't want to always wonder if your little drinks contributed to it. Plus it simply isn't fair to baby. You don't want a toxin in your brand new babies body and poor little liver.

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

When I was pregnant with my daughter and was still in the first trimester, I had a sip of beer one time at a party when asked if I wanted to try it. I didn't want people to get suspicious! That being said, that is ALL I have had once I found out I was pregnant with BOTH kids. I just could never do it. One glass of wine or beer would never get me drunk nor did I love it THAT much that I wanted to risk the alcohol getting into babies bloodstream.

I know many women who have an occasional glass of wine/beer or even cigarette while pregnant and while I don't condone it nor would I do it, I do not condemn them or say anything to them. I just didn't do it while pregnant. That being said, the four weeks before I found out I was pregnant (both times) I had drank several times.

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am 17 weeks pregnant and had a sip of wine at Thanksgiving and felt guilty so I know what you mean.

S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Just had my third (and final!) child in August. I never did drink during any of my pregnancies. It's my understanding that the study showing wine during pregnancy was okay and possibly beneficial was paid for by the wine industry. I understand wanting something and not doing it out of fear of the possible side effects. It's, frankly, what motivated me to stick to the more stringent side of recommended pregnancy diets. Sometimes I, a person who could generally live without beer for decades at a time, would grab my husband's beer just so I could smell it. I don't know know how much of it was a bona fide craving versus just wanting something I wasn't supposed to have. The upside is that I gained 24 pounds with my first, 22 with my second and 14 with my third (the trend from my vantage point has been toward more restrictive diets over the past 18 years since I was pregnant with my first). Because I didn't eat or drink a bunch of stuff that was less than healthy (oh, I had my moments here and there for sure!), losing the weight was also pretty easy. In the long run, I felt like the decisions I made were really between me and the baby. Same for you.

Best wishes,

S. :+)

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

First of all, no one here called you an alcoholic and I don't really understand why you gave a PS in all caps (which is assumed as shouting on the internet) when the moms here were so supportive of you. I hope you were just trying to clarify your position.

No one can tell you what to do, but if you feel guilty then you shouldn't do it. Stress is h*** o* the baby. When I was pregnant with my first, I was craving Chinese food but was SO worried about MSG. After I gave in to my craving I felt so guilty and stressed. I know it was irrational, but pregnancy hormones are screwy! Anyway......it wasn't worth the stress.
You have to decide for yourself if you are going to be stressed about it after you do have a little wine.

Good luck in what you decide! And also, ask your doctor what is a safe amount to ingest.

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L.B.

answers from Eugene on

I have never been told that there was an "allowed" glass of wine now and then that you can have.... My Mom was told that but that was 30 years ago and things have changed. Everything I have been told is that no amount of alcohol is proven safe. Whether its 1 or 10. My doctor did say that if I had comsumed alcohol before I knew I was pregnant I should be fine (the key work is should) For me personally, what if I was genetically more susceptible to having a child born with fetal alcohol syndrome and all it took was a glass of wine. Probably 1 glass here in there is fine for most people and your child will be born totally healthy, but what if you were that 1 person that wasn't so lucky. Not worth the risk to me:)

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J.F.

answers from San Diego on

I never drank any alcohol or had any caffeine. I think you can make it a bit longer without it, too. To me it is not the guilt that I worry about, but rather the possible effects alcohol can have on an unborn child. The body and organs have not fully developed and to me why take the risk?

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A.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I did with both my kids. Only once or twice but I think its fine.

R.H.

answers from Seattle on

I had a couple of glasses of wine most months during my pregnancy. There is no "safe level" of alcohol consumption in pregnancy because researchers aren't asking pregnant women to get wasted for the sake of science. Doctors tell you there is no "safe level" because it's a medical liability to give you permission. This doesn't mean you have to completely abstain -- it means you need to do the research yourself and figure out what feels right to you. The fact that an occassional glass of wine in pregnancy is acceptable in Europe is a CULTURAL difference only. The science is the same.

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

My ob ok'd having a half glass of wine while pregnant. Especially in the end when I went into preterm labor...it relaxed me and stopped the contractions.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

I chose not to, but know people who would occassionally have a small glass. I think I had a sip of my husband's when we went out for a fancy dinner b/c he raved about how good it was!

Having said that, I did have a glass of wine once-in-a-while when nursing. My OBGYN said it was okay as long as I didn't nurse w/in a certain time frame.

H.B.

answers from Modesto on

I gave up drinking and smoking while pregnant, but I did have a celebratory wine and champagne a couple of times during that 9mos. My ob told me it was okay to have a beer now and then and no one really knows how much alcohol it takes to cause fetal alcohol syndrome. I've seen plenty of women drink and smoke their entire pregnancy and their kids are normal...... it's sort of a gamble I guess. If you are willing to gamble with your childs development it's up to you, but if they did have a birth defect just think how you would feel. Is that wine THAT important?
Knowing what I know now, I would not have a sip while pg these days....however I doubt anything would come of you drinking a glass of wine at Christmas. jmo

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't want to know. I don't think pregnant woman should drink at all. You wouldn't give an infant a glass of wine would you? They get it in your belly. I don't understand why drinking wine is that important you have to subject your baby to it. I think even 1 drink is too much.

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

never drank while pregnant with any of my pregnancies. Not even a sip of anything. No form of alcohol is good for the baby. So yes even though that one glass of wine probably won't give your baby fetal alcohol syndrome or anything that alcohol in any form wine, beer, mixed drink....is not good for the baby. So I never had a drink.

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Never had a sip with all 3 of my pregnancies was 23 when I had my first I can tell you I hate drinks they make me hurl even a sip don't know what it is but the smell the taste the way I feel after having a sip or two it doesn't agree with me I also HATE feeling dizzy,light headed,nasuea,vomiting,headaches & yet people drink to feel this way so not worth it for me.
If your comfortable with having a glass of wine or whatever you like fine let it be but if baby comes into this world having something wrong with him or her who are you going to blame?And there is babies who come into this world with fetal alcohol syndrome how many drinks does it really take some say 1 some say more.Seems more like a risk than anything I would like to on.

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