February 23, 2011
Drink Up Mama?
When I was out for dinner the other night, all my friends were ordering glasses of wine or beer. I had ice water. There aren't many restaurants that offer both decaf and diet beverages so I'm pretty much condemned to 9 months of water. It's not a bad thing, but putting water into a nauseous stomach isn't always the most desirable thing to do.
A friend of mine at dinner, told me about a new study that says light drinking while pregnant is ok. I was kind of shocked. Then yesterday, Mr. BBM found the article, "Light Drinking Said OK for Pregnant Women." What struck me about the article is that Fred Bookstein, a statistician who has spent much time studying fetal alcohol syndrome, now states that there is no evidence to suggest that very light drinking is harmful to the fetus. To the contrary, the study points to very light drinking as actually being beneficial for the mother and baby.
Having a husband who works in clinical research is a really nice perk sometimes. He instantly pulled up the actual research study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, which was no small study! Over 18,500 children were followed through much of their young lives. Not surprising, Moms who binge drank while pregnant had children with problems. However, the group right behind the binge drinkers when it came to issues with their children? The Moms who drank nothing at all!The article states that the study was so well done, that it is conclusive and should put to rest any and all doubts that light drinking is harmful.
If you've ever read The Red Tent, then you know that in biblical times, people drank wine. Water wasn't safe and it was really the only healthy option. That includes pregnant women.
The published article, linked above, had tons of comments saying they didn't buy it, the study was flawed, etc. etc. But why believe one expert from a study from 1991 and not another with a recent study, a large sampling and conclusive results? Some people went on to say "alcohol is a drug," and then rattled off all the awful things that can happen, despite the fact that the study specifically says there's no proof.
What's funny is that caffeine is a stimulant. I avoid caffeine while pregnant, except for the very rare occasion. When I do have it, I have the recommended daily dose and no more. If you read about the affects of caffeine on developing babies, scary words like "stillborn" and "low birth weight" and "fetal death" surface. Yet, you don't see pregnant women being condemned for ordering a coke product.
So what is it about this study that ruffles so many feathers? Do people not want to read the evidence? Have they been brainwashed by all the previous studies, now discounted, and they just can't get past it? As a pregnant woman, do you believe the new study, have a couple drinks and take the chance? What if something does happen to the baby? Could you live with yourself? What would YOU do with this information? (And before you answer, please read the article and get your hands on the study too.)
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Here’s a link to the original research report in pdf format for those interested in reading the detailed methods and results: http://press.psprings.co.uk/jech/october/jech103002.pdf
ok, so I am not a pregnant woman, or a woman in general.. But I really do not think it is worth the risk. the body is in such flux when a woman is pregnant. I just dont think that glass of pinot or the margarita is worth the chance.
I say have a healthy baby, then get smashed.
I had a baby two years ago. During my pregnancy, I was pregnant over the summer, into the fall, through all the holidays and then finally had him in February. I had a glass of wine (gasp!) every once in a while – especially when out for special occasions or family holidays. I had no other risk factors during my pregnancy and I was the healthiest I’ve ever been while I carried my son. He is the light of my life and has been since that little strip turned pink on the pregnancy test. But sometimes, just every once in a while, a glass of wine would help relax my stiff joints and allow me to sink into my bed when my body was just too tired and sore to go to sleep. And it was nice to toast friends and family through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s…and then go to bed before any of the rest of them. Everything in moderation.
My boy was born to term, a good sized boy, with no problems except a little jaundice. He excels in his development and I find that the couple ounces of wine here or there during my pregnancy was better for my psyche than in any way, shape or form, harmful to my baby.
Best of luck to you!
Uh, let’s see. Our parents drank alcohol and smoked in some cases while pregnant back in the 60’s. Not to excess, no. But they did. All three of us are fine.
When I had my kids X 4…each doc had something different to say. The oldest of the four(we moved every.single. time. I was pregnant) told me that a beer or glass of wine would not hurt. I can count on one hand how many times I did it with each pregnancy.
I don’t smoke but I also had a cup of coffee every morning. The age old adage of things taken in moderation applies. But if it makes you uncomfortable because of societal mores, do it in private.
I breastfed all of my kids for a year because studies said it would give the kids an immunity edge and an allergy edge, less ear infections. Guess what? Two have excema,pollen issues, two had lots of ear infections, and one is never sick! I know it benefited them overall, I just wish that guilt wasn’t the gift that kept on giving for those who choose not to!! 🙂 It’s pretty much a crapshoot and personal preference. We all want to say we did the best we could with what we have and in every case it is a different best.
I think you’re an intelligent, responsible adult and should be able to do whatever you want, without fear of judgment from ignorant asses. 🙂