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Boo Hoo!!!

to robyn- I have heard tons of different opinions about this. Personally I have chosen not to consume alcohol during pregnancy b/c I would just feel too guilty. When my cousin was pregnant she asked her doctor, and he told her she could have an occasional gla__s of wine, so I think she may have had a few drinks while pregnant. You would DEFINATELY NOT want to consume more than one at a time. I also had a friend that went over to England and France, and she told me that women over there believe it is healthy to consume a gla__s of red wine occasionally while pregnant. Like I said before, you will get all kinds of answers. I dont choose to do it, but I dont shun other women who choose to. Just be responsible about how much and how often you do it.

I wouldn't drink any amount of alcohol, even though I used to drink every WE before I knew I was pregnant...To those that say most Europeans drink, well, FYI, no we don't and we are not advised to, either! To cite some research articles: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5534.html http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1170.asp http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6105341&dopt=Citation "Even moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a risk factor for, and may be a cause of, spontaneous abortion." (Clinical research done by Kline J, Shrout P, Stein Z, Susser M, Warburton D.)

Found this on the UK's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website rcog.org.uk : " There is no conclusive evidence of adverse effects in either growth or IQ at levels of consumption below 120gms (15 units) per week. Nonetheless it is recommended that women should be careful about alcohol consumption in pregnancy and limit this to no more than one standard drink per day." There's also a bit about over 15 units studies to show effects. So relax, maybe you shouldn't feel bad about the odd gla__s of wine with a meal.

It's no worse than the occasional marijuana smoke, but look at all the people against that so I guess the answer would be no it is not correct to call it completey safe to consume wine during pregnancy. Any amount of alcohol,like any drug, is taking some risk. Whether or not to take that risk is completely up to the individual.

IN RESPONSE T HEATHER, YOU ARE DOING JUST AS YOU SAID NOT TO SO YOU ARE BEING A HYPOCRITE...YOU ARE JUDGING PEOPLE WHO WISH TO HAVE ONE GLASS OF WINE BY SAYING "OH MY GOSH, WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR BABY." BLAH, BLAH...I DON'T THINK DRINKING IS NECESSARILY BAD IF IT IS DONE IN EXTREME MODERATION, BUT IT IS TOTALLY UP TO THE PERSON. MANY STUDIES SAY THAT ONE GLASS OF RED WINE A DAY IS GOOD FOR THE HEART, BUT THAT IS JUST WHAT I HAVE HEARD. OH AND ABOUT THE DOCTORS NOT KNOWING ANYTHING THAT IS A VERY ARROGANT AND IGNORANT COMMENT...I GUESS YOU MUST HAVE DELIVERED THE BABYU YOURSELF, HA HA. ACTUALLY, WITHOUT DOCTORS I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ALIVE. THEY HAVE SAVED ME SEVERAL TIMES...I GUESS SOME PEOPLE ARE TOO CLOSE MINDED.

Heather you have cited many anti-drinking organizations that are North American. You have to remember that we live in a society that LOVES to sue. There is a reason these a__sociations go to the extreme and advise no alcohol consumption at all...they are afraid that if they advise a small amount of alcohol and something goes wrong, they will be sued. You have to think about the sources of information you are citing, and why they would state the opinions they do. If you want unbiased information about this topic, I would advise women to read actual research, not just opinions stated by organizations trying to cover their a**. And the research repeatedly and consistently shows that very moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy does not correlate with a higher incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome. So if you are stressed out and feel that a gla__s of wine will help you to relax, go for it! While the effects of very moderate alcohol consumption is still in debate, we all know that stress is not good for you while pregnant.

What gets me is smoking can cause just as serious health concerns for baby as alcohol. But it is acceptable to smoke but if a woman is seen having a drink...even if it's one drink a week, month, or whatever she is judged harshly. So if your a smoker....dont judge those who have a drink. Wine is a great blood purifier. Back in the old days when water was bad women drank wine. A gla__s of wine with your meal...daily or not is okay. There's a difference in those who drink for the buzz and enjoying a good red wine with a meal. If your comfortble drinking a gla__s then drink it! Just not the whole bottle !

You must be wondering why your post rubbed so many people the wrong way. It has to do with your "holier than thou" att_tude. There were several other posts that were against drinking of any sort, but they just stated their opinion without being judgemental. Calling people selfish, acting like enjoying a gla__s of wine is a sin, implying that someone who misses a gla__s of wine is an alcholic or has no self control...this is offensive. And making out like you are so perfect..."I even worry about menthol in my facewash"... that just sounds pathetic. You must be a very lonely, perfect person in this imperfect world. Try to have some empathy. The very fact that there are so many posts to this question proves that the question itself is valid and that many others are wondering or questioning the same thing. Good for you Robyn, for having the courage and the wisdom to pose this question.

I am 33 weeks right now and have been having frequent contractions and back pain. My OB told me to drink a gla__s of water followed by a gla__s of wine when this happens. If my contractions don't subside within an hour, then go to the hospital. He said that the alcohol in a gla__s of wine is helpful in preventing premature labor.

I teach school and I would be willing to bet that many of the problems my students have are the result of drugs (including alcohol). I see 600 students per week and although I am hesitant to label a student with a "disorder", when you deal with the kids on a large scale every day, you begin to see the patterns. I'm 7 months pregnant (2nd baby) and even though I crave a drink now and then, taking that chance seems too risky. I'm with you, Heather, and if someone out there thinks I'm being "holier than thou," maybe they should come sit in on my cla__ses for a few weeks. They might just change their minds.

Everyone on matters of pregnancy have a different opinion on how to do things. That is the great thing about being yourself. I truly believe that they lay down the rules when it comes to pregnancy for one major reason. You give an inch they may take it for a mile. If the rule states that drinking with moderation was O.K. then everyone would find their own definition of "moderation". So, easier and safer to say NO drinking while pregnant. I am on my third pregnancy. I have a 8yr old and a 7yr old who are healthy and intelligent. And, I can say I did enjoy that occa__sional gla__s of wine with dinner while pregnant with both of them. As I do now with my third pregnancy. No matter what you do or don't do people will always sneer and have their opinion. However, if you are on here looking for an answer it is obvious you care about yourself and teh little one inside of you therefore should know what the means of moderation is. Enjoy a gla__s if you will. Might take the edge off of being pregnant and anxious.

Ihad a gla__s last night. Took me about an hour to drink. Wine is good for your blood.

besides, drinking a gla__s of wine is not like bustin' out the rum & cokes . Wine has many positive health benefits. If you want a gla__s then have one.

AND....... were talking about " A GLASS OF WINE " . Most people sip a gla__s for 10- 30 minutes or so. Usually just that one gla__s with dinner and thats it. Some of you make remarks as though someone is chugging a bottle a night. Before you condemn someone for wine do a little researchon how beneficial wine really is. Like I said, it's not like drinking mixed drinks or having a few martinis after work. It's a freakin gla__s of red wine !!!

No safe level Scientists have not been able to find if there is a guaranteed "safe" level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The harmful effects of alcohol vary with the stage of the pregnancy and the amount of alcohol consumed on each occasion. It doesn't matter what kind of alcohol is consumed.. Beer, wine, or hard liquor have the same negative effects during pregnancy-- all alcoholic drinks are toxic to a growing baby. Many people think that only hard liquor like rum, vodka, or whiskey is harmful. They're wrong. Any drink with alcohol in it can harm a growing baby. Here is a list of products to avoid drinking during pregnancy: * coolers * cider * wine * beer * liqueurs * cooking wine * mouthwash * cleaning products, and other liquids that have alcohol in them. "Drinking alcohol during pregnancy could lower your baby's IQ. Would you want to take that chance?" What alcohol does to the fetus When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it rapidly crosses the placenta into the fetus. When the mother drinks, the baby drinks. The baby can be exposed to higher amounts of alcohol and for a longer time than the mother, as the amniotic fluid acts as a reservoir. The brain and central nervous system of the unborn child can be damaged by exposure to alcohol at any time during pregnancy. Unlike the mother, the fetus cannot process alcohol at the same adult rate, and it remains in the baby's body longer than in the mother's. The quant_ty of alcohol consumed, how often the mother drinks, the stage during pregnancy when drinking occurs, the mother's metabolism and the genetic makeup of the fetus, all play a role in determining how severe the effects will be. Alcohol can damage a growing baby's brain, organs and body, affecting how it thinks, acts, looks and learns as a child and as an adult. Since development continues after birth, a baby can also be affected by alcohol pa__sed through b___st milk.