Alcohol in pregnancy

[poppyrose81]

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and before i was pregnant i was a big social drinker and smoker.

Since i found out i was pregnant (2 weeks after conceiving), I have completely given up smoking, I had 1 glass of wine per week upto 12 weeks and then i've had a glass of wine each day since 12 weeks (not everyday, but most days)...

Having read and seen the news today I am alarmed and highly concerned to read that they have now advised that no alochol must be consumed in pregnancy!!!

This is worrying me, I have been reading about FAS on the internet and am now so worried. How common is this. Do you think my baby will be harmed??

Will it make a difference if i stop altogether now??

[annie0000]

There is no new evidence to suggest that we now need an outright ban - I had an occasional glass of wine when I was pregnant and have two healthy strapping boys - I recall speaking to my GP about what was allowed and what wasn't and his answer was that with the exception of heavy drinking and smoking (or drugs), there is little chance of things like eating the occasional underdone egg or bit of pate etc. would harm your baby but that worrying about it would spoil your enjoyment of your pregnancy. He said quite rightly that the best reason to avoid these things was that if there was anything wrong with your baby, you would tend to blame yourself when actually there is little chance that you did anything. My advice would be to do what feels right for you. FAS is caused by regular drinking, if you have had the odd glass then I wouldn't be too concerned, but if it makes you feel better to stop then do.

I believe that statistics show that the majority of babies are unplanned and I would imagine that lots of these were conceived after drinking - and most people seem to turn out ok.

[lady_p_gold]

Don't worry about it, they never used to say you couldn't drink and we all used to drink loads with no apparent ill effects. The amount you are talking about is very small and provided you are otherwise healthy I am sure you will have a bouncing healthy babay.

[CheekyChops]

Don't worry too much. A few years ago people used to drink and smoke all through their pregnancy as the risks weren't as widely known. (I'm sure some people still do!)

Obviously there is a small risk but it is tiny. I know my mum smoked all through both her pregnancies (I'd guess that she drank as well) and there is nothing wrong with me or my brother!

[HM1]

Hi poppyrose81. Personally I think a glass of wine each day (or almost every day) is too much when you're pregnant but I appreciate it's complete up to the individual. When I was pregnant I had about 4 drinks over the entire 9 months (mainly the odd glass of champagne at weddings) as I wanted to do everything I could to ensure my baby was healthy - this also included cutting out blue cheese, bagged salads etc etc too. I also found I drove whenever we went out and have never had a drink when I'm driving anyway which made it easier. (I also suffered morning sickness, then heartburn so didn't actually fancy alcohol too much anyway). Having said that, I may not be quite so strict with myself if I have another baby as the risks are so minimal, but I do think that if I had a drink every day I would be worrying constantly that I was harming my baby as I worry about everything all the time!!!! But that's just me. Good luck with your pregnancy.

[bethmullens]

this is terrible - but to put your mind at some sort of ease - one girl i knew who was pregnant went out most weekends on the **** even though she was pregnant - she refused to give up her social life and had a healthy baby girl who has never had any problems! I know she was lucky VERY lucky but to think there are people who do that whereas you have drunk in moderation - im sure you will be fine!