Alcohol

[Siskin]

Before I found out I was pregnant, I'd been having a couple of drinks per week (literally just this, nothing more). I didn't have any more after finding out and planned to stay off alcohol though I thought a half glass of bubbly at a wedding that's planned for a few month's time would prob be fine.

Tonight I was celebrating with family and was poured a thimble-full of prosecco to toast with them, which I drank because I didn't think it would be harmful. The prosecco was 11% and I drank no more than about 15ml (just a couple of small sips). Immediately afterwards I felt terribly guilty for being so rash, and an internet search for alcohol in pregnancy has made me feel like a criminal. Lots of comments about what kind of person would take the risk of drinking any alcohol in pregnancy, etc. I feel absolutely awful. It's difficult to track down objective scientific evidence online as to what the chance of such a small amount of alcohol actually being harmful is. Has anyone else done similar, or am I alone in my bad judgement?

 

[BunnyN]

Until a few years ago doctors in UK still said moderate drinking in pregnancy is fine. I have a pregnancy book from my SIL that say the official amount you could have. I think they changed it because they don't really know what the safe limmit is so no one wants to set one. They also think some women will overdue it if they say some is okay. As far as I know there is no evidence that a tiny amount can do any harm. Foods and drinks whith a tiny alcohol content are usually said to be fine.

I had a couple of sips of a drink at a wedding recently too and then quietly got rid of the rest, lol.

 

[Nutsyputs]

When I was pregnant with my son my friend got married and had her hen do. I had half s glass of champagne at both. He is now a very active 2.5 year old. As bunny said up until very recently it was ok to drink a bit.

 

[Eryinera]

When I was pregnant with my son I ended up with a right painful tooth and the only thing that helped was rubbing brandy onto it until I could see a dentist. I inevitably drank a bit or it was absorbed into my blood stream so I had about 3 glasses of brandy over one weekend. My son is fine and the tooth needed a crown lol.

 

[Tigger87]

I wouldn't kick myself for what is done - you can't change it. The advice now is no alcohol because you just don't know the effects - they've clearly updated from old advice because there must have been SOME evidence of it doing harm. Individual stories of it doing me no harm aren't as reliable as big studies!

Ultimately it's your baby and your risk to take. If you're aware there IS a risk, then you've got the right information. A risk isn't definite that it will happen, just that something is more likely.

I hope this hasn't come across preachy - you do what you want to do, I'm just sharing with you the facts as I know and understand them! Xx

 

[babyslog]

Im not much of a drinker in general so going 9 months without a drop is normal to me non pregnant anyway.
Im more bothered by no pate or brie lol!


Personally for me I wouldnt want any type of alcohol.
But I have friends that had the odd sip on occasions or stuck to a small shandy etc..
Im sure having those few sips is fine and no damage is done, dont beat yourself up x

 

[Blueclass]

Before I got pregnant I was drinking all the time. My job believe it or not is really stressful and coming home to a bottle of wine was normal to me. Since I found out iv not touched a glass but iv not been out and when I did I drove. I will not drink and drive not even one. However if a wedding came up I would have a few sips to toast. They say there's no safe amount that they no of but that's because they don't want to be responsible if something happened. Personally I don't think what you have had is going to do any harm. It's excessive drinking that causes fetal alcohol syndrome. It's my husbands 30th in December and I might have a tiny amount when we say happy birthday.
At the end of the day it's all personal choice. Don't beat your self up. There's been stories of people drinking throughout their pregnancies and their baby being ok. So a few drops won't so anything I'm sure.
Xx

 

[BunnyN]

I wouldn't kick myself for what is done - you can't change it. The advice now is no alcohol because you just don't know the effects - they've clearly updated from old advice because there must have been SOME evidence of it doing harm. Individual stories of it doing me no harm aren't as reliable as big studies!

Ultimately it's your baby and your risk to take. If you're aware there IS a risk, then you've got the right information. A risk isn't definite that it will happen, just that something is more likely.

I hope this hasn't come across preachy - you do what you want to do, I'm just sharing with you the facts as I know and understand them! Xx

Doctors themselves say openly nothing changed as far as evidence goes. They basically just say its because they dont trust women to drink in moderation. Plus they dont know what the limmit is so its easier to say no drinking

I chose not to drink at all during pregnancy except that I have taken a couple of very small sips of a drinks a couple of times. Personally I dont feel that there is any risk in such a tiny quantity. I wouldnt do it if I saw any evidence that said otherwise.

 

[Jojo84]

Personally, I wouldnt drink anything while pregnant but I know plenty who do. I just feel like alcohol isn't neccesary and I do t touch a drop when pregnant, but it's your body.

A thimble of prosecconwont hurt and a sip at a toast is fine, but personally I woukdnt be drinking full glasses.

 

[Siskin]

Thanks for all the replies. In the cold light of day this morning, I think a few sips of prosecco hasn't done any harm. My panicked reaction after it though has made it clear to me that I can't drink any more alcohol (even a sip for a toast) throughout the rest of my pregnancy as I am just too much of a worrier to be able to deal with it.

Thanks BunnyN in particular for pointing out that alcohol guidelines seem to change all the time. I also agree that the current guidelines are presumably strictly worded as women aren't trusted to stick to small amounts of alcohol! That's a bit patronising really. I am finding that quite a lot of stuff on the internet about what to avoid during pregnancy is worded such that it could make an already paranoid anxious person like me even more terrified. I understand that guidelines are necessary and useful but they seem to come with an unspoken assertion that if you inadvertently don't follow them to the letter, then you are a terrible person who will be responsible for your child's ill-health. That may just be me though because I am incredibly anxious currently and am struggling to be rational about anything!

 

[Becky1]

Glad you're not giving yourself a hard time about it now. A few sips isn't going to hurt - to be honest nor is a glass. I haven't drank this preg but only because hubby wouldn't let me - at 19 weeks I was on holiday and would have loved half a lager (I'd have settled for a shandy!).

I was talking to a preg friend, she said she's had a few drinks throughout her preg (one every now and again) but won't eat Mr Whippy, whereas I haven't drank but eat a fair few Mr Whippys over the summer! everyone is diff xxx

 

[BunnyN]

One thing that makes me think that one or two sips cant be harmful is because kefir which is a natural yogurt like drink that has something like 0.5% alcohol in it is considered safe during pregnancy, infact it is recomended as healthy. A sip of champagne isnt going to have more alcohol than a glass of kefir. Of course I'm sure there are some women that if they were told a sip or a glass is okay would use it as an excuse to overdue it. For most women solid facts would be more helpful .

 

[Blueclass]

Yeah everyone is right don't beat your self up. It's personal choice if you want to have a sip then do. We shouldn't deprive our self of everything just because we are pregnant you can still live a little x