Drinking alcohol and TTC

[SydneyB]

Hi Ladies,

I have read loads about what you should and shouldn't do when TTC especially when you are over 35. God if we followed all the advice life would be pretty boring!! I do like the odd glass of wine - maybe once a week 3-4 glasses but recently I have been wondering if I should cut it out completely. I would find this hard but if it would help then I'm willing to try. Has anyone else got any thoughts on this and also what about the hubby - god if we both stopped I think we would go mad!! Does it really affect things that much? When I had my MC I put it down to drinking ( I know I shouldn't blame that alone as it could have been many other reasons) but at the time I was taking a couple of months away from home traveling with my hubby while he was working away and it turned into more of a holiday - hence drinking most nights right up until I took my pregnancy test. Then obviously stopped completely. I don't drink as often as I used to but would just like to hear other peoples thoughts on the matter.

 

[vickyd]

Syd i also had this worry, drinking while ttc. I have discussed this with my doc and he says that there is no reason that i shouldnt drink socially. I think we tend to overanalyze these things hun, and youre right what kind of life would we have if gave everything up while ttc... Also your drinking did not cause your miscarriage!!! Please dont add additional worries to an already stressful journey!

 

[twinkle1975]

DH & I have both tried to cut it out altogether - doesn't bother me that much as I'm normally driving (DH doesn't drive) - but I think it was getting him down when he went to watch the football or something & couldn't have a pint so we've said he can have one & then he doesn't feel like he's missing out - don't want to make him miserable! I've decided if I get a real yearning for something - like Pimms or Mead - I'll have one - my dr also said it wouldn't be a problem - he reckons all 4 of his kids should be named after different sorts of wine!

 

[HappyAuntie]

My dr, too, told me that anything I drank before implantation had absolutely zero effect on the baby (with my 2nd pregnancy, I cut loose one night with the girls during the TWW). I don't generally drink much - maybe 1-2 glasses of wine per week - so it's not a huge deal anyway. But also, for me, continuing to have a glass of wine now and then is just another way of keeping my sanity and not letting TTC control my every waking thought!

Specifically related to mc's... with my 1st pregnancy, I did absolutely everything you're "supposed" to do, and I lost the baby. With my second, I took a more philosophical approach - I had learned from the 1st that you can do everything "right" and still have it go horribly wrong anyway, so with the 2nd I knew that outside of taking my vitamins and cutting out that glass of wine, the rest was out of my control anyway. Still with both, it was impossible to ignore the what-ifs and the guilt. But try not to let it get the better of you, Syd. Now go have a glass of wine!

 

[heart tree]

With my first pregnancy, I was laid back and had drinks every now and again while ttc. I had a mc. So then I cut out alcohol all together ttc my last pregnancy and had a mc. This time, I decided that I like having a glass of wine every now and again. I even had some during my 2ww and just got my BFP. I'm not going to stress about it. I'm just going to stop drinking from this point forward and hope that this one sticks. Unless you are a heavy drinker, I really don't see the harm. We all need to live a little!

 

[SydneyB]

Thanks ladies. Maybe I won't feel as guilty now when I have the odd glass. Got to have something to enjoy when I go out with the girls for a meal and they are telling me all about what their lovely children have been up to!!!

 

[Jolinar]

I think the more relaxed you are the better, it that means a glass or two of wine of an evening then it won't do any harm. I did this in the tww when I was pregnant with Nic, he's fine bright as a button. Life doesn't end when you're ttc

 

[heart tree]

Oh Jolinar, that gives me such hope to hear!

Syd, you definitely need wine when your friends are talking about their kids or pregnancies!!! Drink up, you'll be fine!

 

[Rikki]

The worst time to drink is around the time your period is due, as this is when gastrulation takes place (when the fertilised egg forms the mesodermal layer). Drinking can prevent this happening and result in miscarriage. Sorry - all sounds a bit technical. Before this though, it shouldn't have any effect.

 

[June_Sprite74]

With my first (aged 20) I didn't know I was pregnant until 15 weeks and right up until the positive result was nightclubbing, smoking and drinking. When I found out I obviously stopped but never gave it a second thought (young and stupid). The baby was fine and still is a healthy 13 year old. With my second I drank in moderation until conception time or thereabouts and stopped smoking. Baby turned out fine too and is now a healthy 8 year old. Last pregnancy ended on June 21st after 10 weeks. Prior to that and 3 months leading to conception I took multi-vitamins, no alcohol, no dodgy foods, gave up smoking 4 years ago anyway so didn't have that to worry about, and it ended in a m/c. I think I stressed and worried and flapped more on this last pregnancy than with both the others put together. Next time I get my BFP I'm not going to google everything, try to chill more and not be so demanding on myself.

 

[heart tree]

June, thanks for that. It makes me feel better as I've had a few glasses of wine in the 2ww before I got my BFP. I'm so very sorry about your recent loss.

 

[magicvw]

How many young girls get pregnant because they are piss-heads out partying all the time and shagging around? Many! I think it's much more important to be relaxed about life than to be giving up everything you enjoy. As long as you are not getting sloshed and are within the sensible limits then I don't think you should worry. I also drank while pregnant both times, except in the first tri from BFP onwards and not for the last few weeks. I had 1 small glass of wine with my evening meal - I don't think it can do any harm.

 

[mumoffive]

There are probably hundreds of people that get blind drunk with absolutely no idea they are pregnant lol!! Personally, i am not stopping doing anything except maybe hayfever tablets or painkillers. I dont drink anway..because i dont really like it! but would continue to have a glass if its what i wanted to do..on the other hand i love coffee and refuse to let ttc take over my life. x

 

[ArticBaby]

I usually have a glass of wine, or a lite beer before my 2ww. Not much of a alcohol drinker.

 

[ASTERO]

I usually drink 1-2 glasses of wine during the week. My doc told me that it's not bad while TTC.
And while pregnant with my DD, he told me to drink 1-2 (!) glasses of RED wine per week with lunch/dinner because it's good for the placenta!

 

[wannabemum123]

You can still drink wine as plenty of research indicates women who drink wine (I suspect red), fall pg quicker than those that don't. Red wine is extremely good for you anyway. Don't go overboard tho. Go on google and you will see some articles regarding.

 

[086marian]

LOVE THAT

I so wanted to ask this question but I was terrified a few people would say OMG your not fit to be a mother your a disgrace drinking while TTC!!!!!

Phew...... You lifted the world of weight off my shoulders...

Heres to babies....

Besides I bet a lot more goes on after a few glasses of wine!!!!

and to everyone.

 

[HappyAuntie]

I met with my rmc specialist yesterday and asked him about sushi - he said he wishes more people would eat it! That it's the absolute freshest fish that you can buy and it's safer than eating deli meats. I have to admit I did a little happy dance when he told me that. I also came home and did a little "told you so" when I passed that along to DH - I won't have to sneak it with my next pregnancy!

 

[heart tree]

Don't you just love little small miracles like that? YAY for you and your sushi!!!

 

[wannabemum123]

Here is one article, I referred to above. https://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/327/7413/468-c