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Are a few drinks during pregnancy OK?
Results so far:
| Yes | 31% | 190 votes | Total: 618 votes | |
| No | 69% | 428 votes |
Yes
by Emma Walker
Created on: January 20, 2008 Last Updated: August 13, 2008
The advice on drinking during pregnancy seems to change year from year and sometimes between one midwife to another, which has led to confusion over exactly how much alcohol if any during pregnancy is safe.
Obviously if one chooses to completely abstain from alcohol during pregnancy then there can be virtually no risk of alcohol consumption causing a problem to the baby. I say virtually because often it is not until 2 -4 weeks after conception that most people find out they are pregnant.
For some time now there has been an established link found between maternal alcohol consumption and congenital anomalies (birth defects). Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a particularly distressing condition caused by excessive maternal alcohol consumption, it is characterised by facial feature abnormalities such as a flat mid face, short nose and a thin upper lip, mental retardation and in later year's shortness of stature in the resulting child. The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system) are particularly sensitive to alcohol, and it is this which can lead to mental retardation.
But what about the fact that for many years people have continued to drink during pregnancy and their children have been fine.
I believe that after the first twelve weeks of pregnancy one or two drinks from time to time during pregnancy is fine.
Why after the first twelve weeks?
An embryo is at its most vulnerable during the first twelve weeks this is the time when the majority of miscarriages and foetal defects occur.
Congenital malformations/foetal defects occur due to teratogenic insult. A teratogen is defined as being anything which will interfere with the growth and development of a baby it can be medication (Thalidomide being the most commonly known), chemical, viral, infection, environmental or other.
Congenital defects are thought to occur early in embryonic development during organogenesis. Organogenesis starts in the third week of development and continues until the eighth week. It is the most vulnerable period to disruptions by teratogenic insult. It is the time when most gross structural defects are induced.
By the end of this period the main organs have been established.
During this instance the potential teratogen we are discussing is alcohol.
In general the length of pregnancy is thought of as being 40 weeks after the onset of the last period but in reality it is 38 weeks following conception. Working out the exact day of conception is near impossible and that is why the dates are generally worked out from the last normal menstrual period (LMP).
The reason I have explained this is to account for the discrepancy of dates.
From the 9th week of development until birth maturation of tissues and organs and rapid growth of the body of the foetus takes place. The organs and limbs have already formed.
Partaking in one or two alcoholic drinks during this time is unlikely to have a negative effect on the pregnancy.
So from this brief explanation of human development I hope you can see why I believe a why a few drinks during pregnancy is alright after the twelfth week.
Every one wants to do what is best for their children from the moment of conception until we can do no more, in my opinion it is advisable to completely avoid alcohol during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, if you happen to have had a drink before you knew you were pregnant there is not a lot you can do about it and one drink will not do any harm. After twelve weeks if you fancy a drink then have one, a little bit of what you fancy never did anyone any harm.
Learn more about this author, Emma Walker.
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No
by Yvette Durham
Created on: February 01, 2008
This debate has been one that has rattled incessantly on for many years and it still shows no signs of abating. Many people seemingly have an opinion yet there are those who are simply confused by the ever-changing word of the medical profession.
The latest official advice is to abstain from alcohol almost completely whilst pregnant. Indeed, my own doctor echoes this to me in my fourth month of pregnancy. The extremely occasional half glass of wine is permitted with food on that special occasion but otherwise none at all. As aptly stated in my very own pregnancy Bible, 'What to Expect when you're Expecting':
"even moderate consumption (one to two drinks daily or occasional heavy bingeing on five or more drinks), if it occurs throughout pregnancy, is related to a variety of serious problems, including increased risk of miscarriage, prematurity, labor and delivery complications, low birth weight, stillbirth, abnormal growth, and developmental problems in childhood."
The book continues to say that there is no evidence to support that it is a safe bet to just have the odd glass of wine in the evening, despite bearing a healthy baby.
"All that is known about alcohol and pregnancy has prompted the Surgeon General to advise that no amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women."
So there we have it; in no uncertain terms- no, a few drinks during pregnancy are not ok.
Many expectant mother's who enjoy a daily tipple still continue to protest that- just as there is no evidence to suggest the odd glass of wine every evening is safe- there is equally no evidence to the contrary. One thing I urge these women to heed is:
"..each drink a pregnant woman takes is shared with her baby. Since it takes the fetus twice as long as its mother to eliminate the alcohol from its system, the baby can be at the point of passing out when the mother is just pleasantly tipsy." ('What to Expect when you're Expecting')
Personally, I find it a little tough to relate to any mother-to-be who would do something to risk causing harm to their unborn baby. We forget that alcohol is a poison; it is just a legal one. Alcohol-related illness and deaths in this country are staggering- I have had to watch my two Uncles struggle unsuccessfully with alcohol addiction and die terrible deaths. Of course, I don't expect any pregnant lady to drink to that degree but it still potentially poses danger for your tiny vulnerable baby so don't, as the saying goes, play with fire.
Yes, I know you're mother has no doubt regaled you with stories of her numerous pregnancies. She drank moderately throughout them all and you all turned out ok, didn't you? But, I argue, that was before all this latest medical advice. It is reckless to turn your back on what today's doctors are telling us based on the fact that our mother's pregnancies were fine. To reiterate this point- many of us had one too many drinks before finding out we were with child. Yet the vast majority of us, when seeing those two positive stripes in the window of the pregnancy test, thereafter stopped alcohol consumption completely for the next nine months. No one can be blamed for ignorance but once you know better there is no excuse to continue to drink. We now know better. Alcohol is not safe for pregnant women.
I fear I may be emitting a saint-like stance. I am far from angelic, in fact I was a heavy drinker before discovering I was pregnant and despite wanting baby, I dreaded the thought of no alcohol for nine months. But, I am delighted to report, I have happily resisted the bottle. My maternal instinct and desire to do everything in my power to protect my child far outweighs any tendencies I may have towards alcohol. I know from my past drinking habits that one glass inevitably leads to another and so avoiding drink altogether is the best solution. I fear that if I had a harmless' glass of wine right now I would open a can of worms and my taste for alcohol would be awakened. Many women are similar to me so, please, don't tease yourself with that one glass.
You do not miss what you do not have and I can honestly say that I feel so much healthier in the months I have been without alcohol. If you find it hard to give it up on the behalf of your child, do it for yourself. Your body will reap the benefits; my skin has improved, my eyes are brighter I feel energized with a new wave of confidence because I don't need to rely on that crutch; I'm quite content without drinking.
For those who are still unconvinced I put to you; it is only nine months out of your long life. It really amounts to no time at all. For your sake and baby's don't drink; it's not ok and we all know it in our heart of hearts.
Learn more about this author, Yvette Durham.
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