is a glass of wine really that bad once in a while when you're pregnant. its weird but i've never had the urge to drink more than now, it could because work, or my husband is off to boot camp. i just want to know if its a major risk.
It is--don't do it. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, it doesn't take much booze to cause fetal alcohol syndrome. I've worked with a 3 year-old who had that--that kid was a nightmare! He scratched me up so bad he drew blood! Poor kid didn't have a chance at normal brain development. Vital organ systems are forming at this point, and alcohol--even to an adult's system--is ALWAYS treated by the body as a poison. You may think, "oh, its just one glass of wine", but you need to consider how small your baby is at this point. It may only weigh a pound or two (I'm not sure how far along you are, but it doesn't really matter) and you'd be giving its tiny, immature system pure poison. Just stay away from it, the cravings will pass.
I think there is a safe amount you can drink without causing long term harm to the baby. Not sure what that is exactly; guess it'd be on the net somewhere, or you could talk to your doctor. It's always best to err on the side of caution. Can understand why you'd want to, with those stresses in your life. Perhaps you could find other methods of relaxation which would work for you. Then drinking would be an issue.
That's exactly the problem. No one knows how much is safe and how much is too much. Every mom and every baby is different. I know many women who drank gallons every day of their pregnancy and had no problems. Other women had one drink once during their pregnancy and their baby was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. And the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are permanent life long effects. It can range from mild retardation to serious problems requiring life long care. Facial deformities, webbed fingers and toes, so many things that I can't begin to list them all. Most of the effects from heroin or cocaine will be outgrown by the time the child is 5 or 6 years old. The effects from alcohol are never outgrown. It's just not worth the risk of not knowing how much alcohol is too muchfor your baby at this stage of their development. Kathi
I suppose the rule of thumb is no drugs or alcohol... Tis a relatively short time to abstain..... Having said that our son is 8 and now I cant drink even if I wanted too... no tolerance
No one knows what the "safe" amount to drink is. I knew a girl who drank and smoked cigarettes daily for 8 months of her pregnancy and had a healthy 6.5lb baby. (We were all pretty flabbergasted, though). Other women have a perfect as possible diet and give birth to babies with defects or complications. You just never know. I suppose you could risk the occasional glass, but how would you feel if something happened to be wrong with your baby?
I agree Sera When I see a pregnant woman smoking I always wince a little and then feel like saying something to her... But of course I dont, that is her business... I feel the same with booze too.......as was said before, its a relatively short time to abstain isnt it?
i think a very occasional glass after the first trimester won't hurt. My cousin's midwife actually said it may be a beneficial if you're really stressed out. But like the others said-you're still taking your chances because no one knows what is safe. I cringe when I see new mamas being irresponsible and bingin on booze among other hard drugs without a care. I mean its only nine months of your life compared to possibly effecting your baby's entire life. I'm 6 months pregnant and have had about 1 1/2 glasses of wine and the occasional sip off my partner's beer and I still feel guilty just cuz you never know. I don't know how far along you are but to avoid the guilty conscience and a possible risk to your baby's health I'd wait till after you deliver....Maybe smoke a lil' herb to relax- I know that's still risky, but I've known lots of mamas who've smoked herb (not cigarettes!) during their entire pregnancy and they all delivered chill very healthy babies...Use your good judgment i reckon
Ypu're totally right that smoking a little herb will relax you and won't really hurt the baby. However, smoking anything can clog up the placenta. It's better to eat a brownie or make some tea with the herb. Smoking is just not cool. The only other problem with herb is that depending on where you deliver, you can be drug tested without your knowledge or permission. If you test positive, your baby can be taken away from you and you can be court ordered into rehab for no valid reason. The herb can stay in your system for 30 to 45 days depending on the amount of body fat you have. Since you never know when a medical emergency may happen, you don't know when to stop using. Even if you plan an at home birth with a midwife, you could still have an emergency that requires transferto a hospital. It's just not worth the risk. No the herb will not hurt your baby, but the state could. Never, never, ever admit to a medical person that you used herb during your pregnancy or even before. It just makes them suspicious and can casue you all kinds of problems. Take care of your little preborn little ones. Kathi
