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| Yes | 29% | 128 votes | Total: 449 votes | |
| No | 71% | 321 votes |
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Add to FavoritesIn our society we have a habit of over doing things. For instance a doctor once told me, off the record that a glass a wine, a shot or having a beer a day is good for keeping the blood thin. When I asked why it is not recommend for patients with heart problems; his response was that if a person were told to have a drink a day and then became dependent on alcohol, that doctor could be sued. The same holds true with pregnancy.
When I was pregnant with my first child, the doctor asked me if I were a drinker. I said no. She asked me if I planned to breast feed, I said yes. She suggested that I have a beer occasionally or sip on a glass of wine occasionally, I remember her suggestion very well and the reasoning; it will make healthier breast milk. Whether this was said in essence to say a drink every now and then won't hurt', I don't know.
Experts seem to disagree on this issue. Most will say "Nay" to even one; it is not worth the risk. Some say it like playing Russian Roulette with your unborn child's welfare. The March of Dimes claims there is over 4,000 births a year that some sort alcohol related problem plagues the infant; from retardation to deformities to abnormal birth weights not to mention FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), or even miscarriage. Many other organizations and doctors echo the same sentiments.
There are many studies showing the harm of alcohol abuse during pregnancy, as with poor diets also. But there are no hard core studies showing that moderate alcohol intake is harmful. Anyone who has an addiction to anything will as a matter of fact, deny it. That's what makes studies of this type so difficult to believe.
However, many European women drink before, during and after pregnancy. They seem to have ever little problem with this issue. They have perfectly happy normal babies. If moderate drinking is harmful, then why isn't this warning issued throughout Europe?
So what can the difference be? Perhaps it is our definition of moderate. A can of beer is 12 ounces; a glass of wine is 4 to 6 ounces. Moderation to a person that has a problem with alcohol may be a quart of beer or just one bottle of wine. So in light of that, it is better advised to say no to any amount of alcohol consumption.
While it is true that whatever you eat or drink filters through to your baby, the baby only takes what it needs at the time. While that does not mean some alcohol won't get to the baby, not all of it will. If the mother to be drinks more alcohol than anything else, drinks more than she eats; than she is subjecting the baby to a high risk of FAS without a doubt. If the mother to be over eats the baby will be big because that is what the baby is offered most of the time; the same holds with drinking, that is just plain common sense.
The key to the issue is moderation. Moderation is limiting or controlling how much you consume. To all mothers to be, to anyone, falling down drunk, doing things you wouldn't do sober, is a far cry from moderation.
A drink occasionally will help you to relax; relaxation, as we all know rejuvenates the body. It helps the appetite also. You can control what and how much you indulge yourself during pregnancy. The whole key is moderation. You know what you can tolerate. If you are an addicted to alcohol or binge drink, then it wouldn't be a good idea to have one.
Learn more about this author, Paulette Redemske.
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No
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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