Is An Occasional Drink Ok During Pregnancy
During the nine months of pregnancy, many pregnant women have wondered — would one or two glasses of wine really put my baby at risk?
And, unfortunately, researchers still don’t know for sure. But a new review of several existing studies hints that small amounts of alcohol may slightly boost the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
The researchers acknowledge that the studies so far have been sparse and, in some cases, flimsy.
Yet, there’s “some evidence that even light alcohol consumption in pregnancy is associated with risk of delivering a small baby and, to some extent, also with the risk of premature delivery, although this was less clear,” said review lead author Loubaba Mamluk. She’s a researcher at the University of Bristol in England.
Dr. Paul Jarris, chief medical officer of the March of Dimes, acknowledged that research hasn’t been conclusive about low use of alcohol in pregnant women.
Still, he said, “the message from the March of Dimes is: Don’t drink alcohol if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant.”
Why is alcohol harmful to a fetus in the first place?
“When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the alcohol in her blood quickly passes through the placenta and the umbilical cord to the baby,” Jarris explained.
“Any amount of alcohol at any time during pregnancy can harm the baby’s developing brain and other organs. And every pregnancy is different, so no one can predict how alcohol will affect your baby,” he said.
What Are The Effects Of Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant
As already mentioned, any alcohol you drink can reach the baby through the placenta.
It`s almost common knowledge these days that any woman that will consume 4 or 5 measures of alcohol on a daily basis during the entire pregnancy will put the baby in a lot of danger. He can develop the fetal alcohol syndrome and may experience development problems, retardation, facial deformities or real look issues. Some of the first signs that can be an indicator of this syndrome are smaller sizes for the head and other body segments, eyes sunken in their sockets, shorter nose, dry or red upper lip, protruding forehead, incomplete development of the mouth, deformed ears, heart problems, genital issues, etc.Mental retardation due to FAS is the worst, the IQ reaching the most only the level of 65, and children that are considered to have a normal intelligence, at school will have difficulties in learning, memory, may experience confusion. Shortly, children may experience a smaller or higher degree of mental retardation.
More than this, some studies showed that moderate consumption of alcohol, but on a daily basis, can increase chances for miscarriage, cause premature birth or even certain abnormalities regarding the face of the baby. !
We mentioned above that 4 or 5 measures of alcohol can put the baby in jeopardy. But exactly does that mean? A measure of alcohol can mean:
- A half of draft of beer
- A small glass of wine
- A small glass of liquor .
Domaines Pierre Chavin Perle Rose
About the Wine. A pregnancy safe sparkling rose wine, this French wine was produced from a Chardonnay grape blend. It’s light and fresh with notable floral aromas. You’ll find the delicate bubbles bring out the flavors of the wine and accompany its slightly sweet freshness well. Particularly appropriate for celebrations such as Baby Showers and Gender Reveals.
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Benefits To Drinking Wine In Recent Studies
While common medical advice for pregnant women is to avoid alcohol, a couple of studies found that drinking might actually provide some benefits or at least not lead to developmental problems in childhood.
University of Copenhagen researcher conducted a study on drinking during pregnancy and found improved behavioral and emotional development among 7-year-old children born to mothers who drank small amounts of alcohol. According to her findings, these children fared better in these areas than those born to mothers who did not drink at all while pregnant.
Researchers at the University College London also looked at the effects that drinking had on children born to mothers who drank while pregnant. Their findings showed that light drinking didnt appear to have a negative impact on these 7 year olds development. However, the researchers did note that there is still no definitive amount of wine that is considered safe during pregnancy.
What Does The Research Say
Truly specific research around drinking alcohol in very early pregnancy is pretty tricky. Thats because it would be unethical to put together a study and actually request that any segment of the pregnant population do something known to cause harm even some of the time.
What we do have: research that looks at people who self-report alcohol use during pregnancy as well as some animal studies. We also have a lot of science backing our understanding of human development in the womb, including brain and central nervous system development starting at
2015 study done in mice, researchers gave the animals alcohol at 8 days gestation roughly equivalent to the early fourth week in a human pregnancy. They found that the offspring of these mice had changes to their brain structure.
The results suggested that early alcohol exposure can alter DNA chemical processes. Embryonic stem cells that change as a result of the mothers alcohol consumption early in pregnancy could even impact adult tissue later on.
To be a little Captain Obvious here, humans arent mice. Theres no way to know at this time if this effect happens in the same way in humans. Its definitely worth further study, though.
On the other hand, a study published in 2013 looked at 5,628 women who self-reported various amounts of alcohol consumption during early pregnancy.
Researchers looked for common effects of alcohol on pregnancy:
- low birth weight
- smaller-than-expected size for gestational age
- pre-term birth
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Domaines Pierre Chavin Zero Rose
About the Wine. Our top choice for rose wines safe during pregnancy, this French wine is produced from Chardonnay grapes. The wine has a beautiful rose color with intense floral and fruit aromas. With its slightly sweet finish, this light yet sophisticated wine goes well with desserts and counterbalances sweet desserts. This is a great wine for Baby Showers and Gender Reveal Parties because of its beautiful pink color.
How Much Wine Can A Pregnant Woman Drink
Is it safe to drink wine while pregnant? Drinking a glass of wine while pregnant is alright, but not every day. Don`t worry if you had a few drinks before knowing you were pregnant. Doctors claim that there are little chances for the fetus to be affected from drinking a few glasses of wine during the third week of pregnancy.
In the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, the embryo is similar to a tadpole. Now there`ll be small formations that will develop, and later the baby`s hands and feet will start developing. The first organs that will start forming are the heart and lungs. Then soon his neural tube will start forming, which soon will become his brain and spinal cord. Thus, at the end of the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, the embryo will weigh less than 28g and will have a length of only 3.5 cm.
Starting with the 5th week of pregnancy, the first stages of the placenta will become visible and start functioning. It`s important to understand this because through the placenta the baby will receive all the nutrients he`ll need to develop during the entire pregnancy. That`s why the diet of the pregnant woman is essential everything you consume will reach the baby soon or later.
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What Kind Of Wine Can I Drink While Pregnant
So what kind of wine can you drink while pregnant? Is there a safer option?
Can you drink red wine while pregnant, for example? Nope, afraid not.
Unfortunately, all types of wine with an alcohol content pose the same risks and are best avoided while pregnant.
Even if your mom swears by the monthly glass of red she enjoyed when she was pregnant with you!
Of course, this is a decision only you can make.
If youre really craving that grapey taste, why not try a non-alcoholic version, or enjoy your favorite non-alcoholic beverage in your best wine glass, just for kicks?
The sacrifices will all be worth it when youre holding your healthy newborn in a few precious months. Promise.
More on pregnancy drink:
I Drank A Glass Of Red Wine Twice A Week During My Pregnancy And Also Smoked My Daughter Is Perfectly Healthy
If we had £1 for every time we heard But I did X and my baby is absolutely fine after sharing new evidence we would have a lot more money for research. We realise it is a tricky one, but this attitude can be dangerous for some expectant mums.
Whilst it is fortunate that this womans daughter was perfectly healthy, the truth is that she was one of the lucky ones. Smoking is the no 1 preventable risk of stillbirth and other complications for babies in the womb.
Lots of actions can increase the risk of harm to an unborn baby riding a rollercoaster, sleeping on your back in the third trimester, taking certain medications, smoking, drinking alcohol and more. Some are more risky than others, but any risk means that some babies will be fine if exposed and others will not.
We do not know what level of alcohol is safe for one mum and her baby compared to another, therefore all women are advised not to drink while pregnant.
That said, if you are still drinking and you want to stop please talk to your midwife rather than sharing it anonymously with an app. You wont be in trouble and they will be happy to help you cut down.
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Light Drinking During Pregnancy Does Not Harm Baby: Study
Pregnant women who drink up to two standard glasses of wine a week are unlikely to harm their unborn baby, a new study suggested.
The evidence that light or occasional drinking in pregnancy was harmful was surprisingly limited but scientists advised expectant moms are advised to avoid alcohol just in case.
This was because there was a small risk of having an underweight or premature baby if the woman drank up to four units in a week.
Previous studies have shown heavy drinking during pregnancy cause birth defects, affect the babys intelligence and lead to behavioral, mental and fine motor problems.
As a result women are told to avoid heavy or binge drinking but advice on safe drinking levels remains a grey area.
Until recently UK guidelines advised women to avoid drinking alcohol while trying to conceive, and in the first trimester.
At the same time it indicated that consumption should be restricted to within one to two UK units, once or twice a week.
However new guidelines from the UK Chief Medical Officer recommended women should not drink any alcohol at all while trying to conceive or while pregnant, on the grounds that it is better to be safe than sorry.
But this has left many women confused about whether there a safe limit and if just one glass was harmful.
The issue remains of great public health importance because up to 80 percent of moms-to-be in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia drink some alcohol during their pregnancy.
Can I Drink A Glass Of Wine While Pregnant
Drinking alcohol, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birthweight. Drinking after the first 3 months of your pregnancy could affect your baby after theyre born. The risks are greater the more you drink.
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Drinking During Different Stages Of Pregnancy
Women may receive conflicting information about the safety of drinking red wine or other alcohol at various stages of pregnancy. As a result, some believe that the first trimester is the most dangerous time to drink alcohol. Conversely, others have heard that a moderate amount of wine may be beneficial.
However, because the fetuss brain is developing all the time in the womb, experts have not proven any amount of alcohol to be safe at any point during pregnancy. That includes the first trimester, when women may not yet know that they are pregnant.
During the first 3 months of pregnancy, alcohol can lead to the baby having abnormal facial features. At any time during pregnancy, drinking can cause problems such as low birth weight and behavioral issues.
The mom and baby advocacy group state that every pregnancy is different. Some women who drink red wine while pregnant have healthy babies. Others, even those who drink just a small amount of alcohol, have babies with serious health conditions.
The only way to be sure is to avoid alcohol while trying to get pregnant and throughout pregnancy.
It can sometimes be difficult to stop drinking red wine during pregnancy. March of Dimes suggest avoiding alcohol by:
- staying away from alcohol-related venues and events if it will be difficult not to drink at them
- replacing alcoholic drinks with a fruit juice and using a fun straw or cocktail umbrella
- disposing of any alcohol in the home
- asking friends and family for support
The Potential Hazard Of Alcohol During Pregnancy
For the past few decades, women have been urged to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Respected medical societies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women both say women shouldn’t drink any alcohol during pregnancy. The main reason for this is that heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to a long-term and irreversible condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome .
Babies with FAS may be born early. They are often underweight and don’t grow well. Some have characteristic facial features like a thin upper lip and small eye openings, or the small vertical groove between the upper lip and the nose may be flattened. Other physical signs that go along with fetal alcohol syndrome include a small head, short nose, and problems with the way the heart or the joints are formed.
Children with FAS are slower to learn language skills than other kids. When they reach school age they often have learning disabilities and difficulty with attention, memory and hyperactivity. They are more likely to have poor coordination and a hard time with problem-solving. And some have trouble making friends and relating to other kids. All of which can make school a really difficult time.
Despite this clear advice, up to half of women drink some alcohol during pregnancy.
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Our Midwife Sophie Says
“Pregnancy is a time of so much change for a mum-to-be and with this can come lots of anxiety. All women should know that their midwife can help to support and advise them through the rough times as well as the smooth.
Remembering that a percentage of everything consumed by the mother is passed onto the baby is really important in helping to make the healthiest choices – this includes all food, drinks , cigarettes and drugs.
The bottom line, is that midwives are well equipped to help support women with any problems they are facing in pregnancy. Nothing is off limits to us from discussing alcohol consumption, domestic violence, unusual vaginal discharge, the list goes on. Weve heard it all and we will never judge you.
As midwives, we want to provide the best care and support to all of our women, helping them to get the best out of their pregnancy for themselves and their baby.”
What Are The Risks Of Drinking Wine While Pregnant
The wine has a very low percentage of alcohol compared to other beverages. Nevertheless, medical authorities like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both condemn the use of alcohol during pregnancy not even traces.
The biggest risk of drinking alcohol while pregnant is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . Unlike other changes in the fetus from maternal habits, FAS doesnt go away and has severe symptoms. The syndrome results when women consume alcohol during pregnancy. In spite of the risk, many women indulge in alcoholism even when they are pregnant.
Symptoms of the FAS include growth retardation, hyperactivity, social seclusion, inability to focus and flattened upper lip groove.
However, heavy alcohol consumption is the risk factor for the occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. If you accidently had alcohol before getting a positive pregnancy test, theres no harm. Stress can harm your baby more than the glass of wine you had in early pregnancy.
Addiction leaves no room for understanding the financial situation or the needs of the baby. After gaining tolerance for 7 weeks of continuous drinking, you will want more. Indirectly you may ignore your health. Even if alcohol directly wont affect your baby, the ill-effects will transfer.
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Can You Drink Wine While Pregnant
If a glass of vino at the end of a long day is your go-to relaxing treat, the thought of abstaining from alcohol throughout pregnancy might seem like a big challenge.
With conflicting info from your doctor, partner, and friends, deciding to drink alcohol or not can be confusing.
So whats the real deal? Can you drink wine while pregnant? Read on
In this article:
- Can you drink wine while pregnant?
- How many glasses of wine can you drink while pregnant?
- Will 1 glass of wine hurt a baby?
- What kind of wine can I drink while pregnant?
