by Sandy McPhee

Created on: March 07, 2007   Last Updated: May 21, 2007

Drinking while pregnant has become a very controversial issue.
The main advice now given is to not consume any alcohol at all while pregnant. This advice has come about because of the fears of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). There are have been reports from women that having consumed only one or two drinks during their pregnancy and gave birth to a child with FAS. These results are becoming questioned more and more by doctors. Many of these claims of having consumed very little alcohol during pregnancy later turn out to be misrepresentation. The women in question had actually consumed much more alcohol than claimed. Because of these claims, most doctor's will tell pregnant women to consume no alcohol at all. This is done to cover themselves in case there is something wrong with the baby.

The only to determine what level of alcohol consumption causes FAS would be to do studies and give different women different amount of alcohol and assess the results on their children. This would be completely unethical as it would put children at risk. In reality, through what I have read and from questioning health care practioners, the consensus appears to be that the occasional consumption of alcohol, less than 1 drink per week, will do no harm to your child.

This means that you can have the occasional drink if you choose to. The final decision, however, is in the hands of the mother to be. Do not let anyone pressure you into making a choice you do not feel comfortable with. If you do not want to drink, don't.

Personally, I did have the occasional drink during both of my pregnancies. With my second child, I had problems eating. Most of time, I had no appetite and nothing appealed to me. I found that when I was feeling the worst, a small amount of wine, about 2 ounces would make me hungry and I would be able to eat. Getting a good meal into me would make me feel better for days and I would be able to eat. As my appetite would again decline, about once every 10 - 15 days, I would have another small glass of wine and would feel better for days.

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