wine

[alphabfomega]

What is the big deal about a glass of wine? There are risks associated with everything. Some say it is harmful and some say it isn't. I had a friend who would actually have an occasional drink throughout both of her pregnancies and both of her children are healthy.

[fuzzy]

I know that alot of pregnancy books say that it's ok to have a glass of wine once in awhile. The big deal about it though is that there is no proof of exactly how much alcohol causes F.A.S(fetal alcohol syndrome).I know when I was pregnant I didn't want to risk it for a drink!

[vegan_mom]

When I was pregnant, I avoided alcohol to the point that I chose grape juice at communion instead of the wine. If I was at a service that did not offer grape juice, I went without. (I belive that Jesus is present in either element or both.) I know a mother whose daughter is just a couple of months younger than mine and chose to have the wine with communion.

When I was pregnant, but before I knew so, there were at least two times that I had at least three beers in one evening. That freaked me out for the longest time during my pregnancy. I prayed and prayed about it when I allowed myself to think of it and I finally was just able to calm down and put it in God's hands. The result is a beautiful intelligent, healthy girl who is now six months old. (She's been saying "ma ma" and while part of me knows she is just babbling, she doesn't seem to say it when she's with my husband. I think it's cool becasue she has moved beyond just saying vowels.)

I figured better safe than sorry. For what it's worth, Sutter Home makes an alcohol free wine, Fre that tastes like a sweet red wine without the alcohol. Also, O'Doul's is pretty decent as well.

Now that my daughter is older, I can enjoy an occasional bottle or glass of beer. In the evenings, she's pretty good about waiting from about seven until after nine for nursing so a couple of times a week I might have a beer. We drank before, liking to try different wines and beers (it's rare that something "normal" like Killian's is in the fridge; There is usually a Warsteiner in there because it's my favortie) but now, I enjoy it even more, knowing that it will be the only one I'll have for awhile.

Anyway, I hope my experience has been of some help.

[alilbit2002]

If u wanna get technical u can have an occasional drink here and there. It all depends on what dr u ask one of mine for my first told me it was ok and the second dr for my second told me it wasnt. If u read in the pregancy book it will tell u its ok occasionally is ok. And if ure breast feeding it is better fo u too bc it produces more milk for the baby i did it with both mine and actaully i didnt drink wine i drank liquor like a white russian here and there my kids are healthy no allergies no nothing havent been sick at all ever in fact. so its up to u and like i said some drs will be honest and some wont. good luck

[jenn_0629]

I absolutely would not do anything that could cause my child harm, especially of that nature. Missing an occasion prenatal or eating a little unhealthily is not a big deal, but potentially giving your child Fetal Alcohol Syndrome seems ridiculous to me. What's the big deal? What if you have one more drink than you should have? I don't know how I could live with myself if I gave my son something like that, knowing that it could have been so easily prevented.

[kfiedler]

Anything can cause harm to a baby, but there is a differenc between an occasional glass and a bottle. I personally feel some people are way to uptight about being pregnant. A girl that I worked with had NO wine, NO fish (mercury), NO sandwich meat (something in it), NO caffine, and got rid of her cat! I was extreamly wowed half that stuff I have never heard of! People have been having babies for thousands of years and the world is still over populated. My grandma addmitted to smoking and smoking pott when she was pregnant 60 years ago and she had 12 kids, there all fine. I think yes there are some rare cases where things can affect development. But lighten up if your baby is going to have a disability more then likely it won't because of a couple of glasses of wine you had while you are pregnant. I have a cousin who adopted a baby who turns out to have been a coccaine baby. Unfortunatly she can't do anything and she is 3, everyonce in a while you can get her to smile. So I am speaking with a open mind because I do know what the outcome can be.

[jenn_0629]

An occasional glass to one person may mean something different to another. I understand that 'anything' can cause harm to a baby, but preventable harm? I don't find wine appealing, and during pregnancy I would say that is it's off limits. Honestly, have you ever seen a FAS child, it's heartbreaking. With all of the problems that a baby could have, why increase the chances of another?

[kfiedler]

Again so many people have different views on this I know and respect peoples desicions. I was so miserable the last few weeks of my pregnancy that I did have a couple glasses of wine in that time it helped to me relax. People find different things appealing, I happen to like wine. For me to not drink it as much as I would have like to was a big step for me, but I did. Same goes if you like caffinee, candy, or smoke. To take the step and cut back is a big deal. If you really want to talk preventable harm, don't eat fish, don't eat meat, eat only organic fruits and veggies, take vitamins everyday, don't go by cats, always lay on your left side, no candy, no caffinee, don't go in the sun, or don't go outside and breath the polluted air. Like I said though a lot of this stuff I have never heard of till recently. Anything can increase the chance of a disorder in a child, it is human nature to find a reason why. So if you want to stay away from wine I think thats your decision. But if you see someone pregnant sitting at a table having ONE glass with a meal, don't pass judgment because that is there decision. But if they have TWO then you have to wonder.

[SleepEater]

I've read a few studies that actually recommend having a few glasses of Red Wine during your pregnancy for the antioxidants - which are passed to the baby and repair damaged cells. While I personally haven't had any wine myself (I've never been a fan), my best friend has one every few weeks and she is a Doctor. (and in her 6th month)

I think each of us has to do what we are comfortable with, just make sure you speak with your Doctor about it and see how he/she feels on the subject.

[drewsmama]

i had wine more evenings than not throughout my pregnancy, one with dinner, sometimes one after, but spaced out so that my b.a.l. was stable. i also ate very well, took my vitamins, and did prenatal yoga daily. my son (now 3) is perfectly healthy and above average in height and milestones for his age, and always has been. i think that people get a little hysterical. i actually have a girlfriend who became hysterical because she found out a salad dressing she consumed contained red wine vinegar, i mean, really. if fas is such a risk, then like, more than half the people in europe must have it. i mean, it's one thing to get drunk, it's another to have a drink.

[kfiedler]

drewsmana I do agree whole heartedly with you. I too feel some women get a bit carried away with being prego. Thank You

[lou]

I agree also. people do get carried away. my fiance and I are both musicians and while I play classical guitar and some piano he has a blues band ( he does cover some blues and classic rock but it's mostly his music) and frequently plays in bars. I don't often go to the bars to see him cause I hate being sober around a bunch of drunks but on occasions when I do i feel i need to wear one of those sandwich signs saying I'm listening not drinking. Serioiusly, just because I'm in a bar doesn't mean I'm there to get drunk so save the dirty looks. Also we now have a smoke free state so I'm not exposing my child to any teretogens. I will on occasion have a glass of wine or a beer but never more than one and not even close to being everyday. When I go to the bar to hear my fiance play though I always drink juice or water. Alcohal is liquid courage and I don't want to encourage any one to approach me to tell me how bad a person I am.