To drink or not to drink?

[trumpetbum]

I think the point is that you have stated that something has been proven and yet i have yet to see the evidence to support such a statement. No proven, nor even remotely conclusive link, despite massive amounts of studies worldwide between small amounts of alcohol and foetal damage suggests to me that the risks of an occasional glass of wine during the latter parts of pregnancy is negligible and probably less of a risk than daily intake of some acceptable consumables in the western world, others may take that information and decide that it means a link may be found at some time in the future.
Precisely why each person has to decide what to do with that available information.
I know personally that I'm more than capable of interpreting the clinical evidence available regarding alcohol and other health issues and do so, but there has to be a good reason for me to cut something completely out and in this case I'm sorry but based on the evidence available I fail to see the occasional glass of wine as the risk that some others do.

 

[camishantel]

I wouldn't

 

[dimplesmagee]

YEAH BRANDI!!!!!! COMPLETELY AGREE 100%!!!! Haha...i should stop reading this thread b/c it's REALLY starting to get me mad...WHY??? Oh why, would you consume anything that could be POTENTIALLY harmful to your baby? I just don't get it. WHY?????????? Ugh...

 

[BrandiCanucks]

Trumpetbum, while I understand your point of view, as I have stated numerous times in this thread, this is stuff that I study and will go more in depth with starting next Thursday. I am the mother of a special needs child and am currently in school to work with kids and adults with disabilities. Given this, just as doctors are privy to information before the general public is, there is information that I, as a professional DSW, am privy to before the general public. I don't say that in a high and mighty, holier-than-thou tone.

However, think about it. Studies have also shown that you can have two 25 year old women. They consume the same alcohol beverage and the same amount of it. Woman A could be more affected by her alcohol intake than Woman B because of her tolerance level, or lack thereof, and her differing absorption rates. This is all information that needs to be taken into consideration.

If Woman A is pregnant, because of her low tolerance level, her baby is more bound to be affected by her alcohol intake than Woman B's baby if Woman B has a higher tolerance and lower absorption rate. Come on, this is common sense. Surely you're not so stubborn that you, nor your government can't take this into consideration when it comes to the health of your baby.

I will be working on a regular basis with a child who is a victim of FAS. It is not a nice thing or an easy thing to have to live with. Perhaps some research on FAS and FAE to give you an example of how difficult these childrens' lives are might shed some more light on the issue. After all, I'm just a person on a forum, remember? I must not know what I'm talking about.

In the meantime, https://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm

Feel free to read the entire article, but if not, then in the very least, skip down to 10.4 near the bottom of the article..then tell me I'm pulling all of this crap out of my ass. If I can spread awareness and at least educate expectant mothers about the risks, and even if only one mother listens and doesn't put her baby at risk, then that's success for me. For the rest of the stubborn mothers, it sounds harsh but I hope your child isn't born with FAS or FAE, but if he or she is, I hope you feel guilty for the lifelong struggles you have inflicted on your child, and that you work your ass off to support your child through it, especially since this was completely preventable.

https://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/alcohol/guide/info-alcohol.htm

 

[BrandiCanucks]

I am sorry you feel like that. It is my choice, and I ask you, politely, to refrain from calling me selfish, again. We agree to disagree.

And again, I didn't call you selfish, I said your decision is selfish. There is a difference. It appalls me that any mother can't refrain from alcohol for 40 weeks of her life to ensure a healthy baby. I'm sorry, but that, in my opinion, is irresponsible and warrants an intervention.

 

[trippdalette]

Now I'm only 18 so can't legally drink in the US. But I believe everything in moderation is okay. Would I condone heavily drinking? Absolutely not!!!! To me that's just way to risky, but a sip here and there and a little bit? I really don't think it poses any more a risk than having mcdonalds here and there.

 

[BrandiCanucks]

https://www.chem-tox.com/pregnancy/alcohol.htm#FASmoderate

This page, from top to bottom, explains the conditions that can arise from alcohol use during pregnancy, whether mild, moderate or severe. Quite informative actually. I encourage everyone, whether you choose to drink during pregnancy or not to look at it.

 

[ShanandBoc]

Now I'm only 18 so can't legally drink in the US. But I believe everything in moderation is okay. Would I condone heavily drinking? Absolutely not!!!! To me that's just way to risky, but a sip here and there and a little bit? I really don't think it poses any more a risk than having mcdonalds here and there.

Mcdonalds is not a drug.....even tho its not that great for u u cant compare maccas to alcohol!!!!

 

[Jess&Jay]

Now I'm only 18 so can't legally drink in the US. But I believe everything in moderation is okay. Would I condone heavily drinking? Absolutely not!!!! To me that's just way to risky, but a sip here and there and a little bit? I really don't think it poses any more a risk than having mcdonalds here and there.

ALCOHOL is a drug. Mcdonalds is not.

 

[Aprilmommy11]

WOW! Thank you all for the information and your advice/opinions. I understand this is a highly controversial topic and wanted to get advice/information on the subject.

I understand that even a small amount of alcohol COULD potentially harm a fetus, I just am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the social aspect of the advice I've been given vs the scientific evidence.

It seems in the last few decades, we as a society (in the US) have regulated things to the point of not being able to leave our own houses because something we are bound to do at any given point in time MIGHT do something harmful to us. I guess the problem I have is that in my parents generation and in my grandparents generation, this issue wasn't that big of a deal. I think there are other issues/special interests that come into play now that didn't exist years ago that push agendas.. (I also might be biased because I have been in politics and see how "research" is released and it is pretty ridiculous which studies are published and which aren't for political reasons).

I just find it confusing as a woman carrying a baby why there is an ENORMOUS amount of conflicting advice on the subject (light consumption of alcohol while pregnant). The medical professionals that are responsible for my care tell me that consuming a glass of wine here and there is not significant enough in birth defects to tell me to abstain. The same is to be said about caffeine, soft cheeses and sushi (all of which carry the SAME risks before and during pregnancy).

I understand the moral issue in abstaining from alcohol completely during pregnancy. I am not DYING for a drink by any means but honestly, I have heard the same thing about consuming caffeine, which is less controversial and accepted even though it shares a chemical bond with cocaine. In recent years, advice about caffeine has gone from consuming absolutely none to acceptable consumption at 12 ounces or so per day. I also find it funny that the amount of caffeine readily available on the market has skyrocketed in the last 25 years and now all of the sudden it is "ok"..

I just wish SOMEONE could agree on something to tell pregnant women. Alcohol is not the only thing I've been told is fine or not fine. Everyone has their own opinion and it is confusing. I am to the point where I feel like if I look at something the wrong way, I am told my baby will come out with 2 heads (kidding )

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[reedsgirl1138]

Ladies alcohol is a drug and is addictive. Would you give your newborn a cigarette to smoke or blow it in its face? How abut a line of crack? Shoot him or her up with meth? How is there any difference all have been proven in one way or another to cause birth defects...why chance it? And in my opionion if you are not woman enough to make a sacarifice for 9 months to ensure the health of your baby why get pregnant? There are so many woman out there who would do anything to have a baby and yet those of you who fall pregnant easily or not so easily and then think drinking during your pregnancy is okay...I think is selfish whether you like that answer or not.

 

[ShanandBoc]

I see where you are coming from reedsgirl1138

A joint or a line of coke may not do ur baby any harm, but why would you knowingly take that chance.

Like ive said all along i think abstaining from alcohol is just common sense. Doesnt take any scientific evidence to tell me that

 

[Jess&Jay]

Ladies alcohol is a drug and is addictive. Would you give your newborn a cigarette to smoke or blow it in its face? How abut a line of crack? Shoot him or her up with meth? How is there any difference all have been proven in one way or another to cause birth defects...why chance it? And in my opionion if you are not woman enough to make a sacarifice for 9 months to ensure the health of your baby why get pregnant? There are so many woman out there who would do anything to have a baby and yet those of you who fall pregnant easily or not so easily and then think drinking during your pregnancy is okay...I think is selfish whether you like that answer or not.

PREACH ON SISTER!!!
It was said earlier, that in the UK a child over the age of 5 can have alcohol within their home.


They drink because they "enjoy" a drink. It's sad honestly.

 

[reedsgirl1138]

QUOTE=reedsgirl1138;6785253]Ladies alcohol is a drug and is addictive. Would you give your newborn a cigarette to smoke or blow it in its face? How abut a line of crack? Shoot him or her up with meth? How is there any difference all have been proven in one way or another to cause birth defects...why chance it? And in my opionion if you are not woman enough to make a sacarifice for 9 months to ensure the health of your baby why get pregnant? There are so many woman out there who would do anything to have a baby and yet those of you who fall pregnant easily or not so easily and then think drinking during your pregnancy is okay...I think is selfish whether you like that answer or not.

PREACH ON SISTER!!! [
It was said earlier, that in the UK a child over the age of 5 can have alcohol within their home.


They drink because they "enjoy" a drink. It's sad honestly.[/QUOTE]

I have to admit the I do "enjoy" a drink every now and then as well but not when I am pregnant and my baby's health is at stake. I have cut out caffiene as well its all about my babies at this point and anything that may harm them is not going into my body. So sad that not all mommies see it that way.

 

[BrandiCanucks]

It's not about them; it's about the health and safety of their unborn children. When my daughter was first diagnosed, I guilt-tripped myself and kicked myself while I was down wondering what I did wrong that caused her condition and disabilities. I asked myself if I stood in front of the microwave for too long while making popcorn when I was 26 weeks with her caused it. I wondered if it was my fall down my school stairs at 13 weeks that caused did. Did the car accident I was in at 37 weeks cause it? It took a very long time for me to accept that her condition is genetic and I did nothing wrong to cause it. I may be a carrier of her condition, but even if I am, her condition was not avoidable, thus there was nothing I did wrong to cause it, nor anything I could do to change it.

But to this day, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and do whatever the hell I could to make sure she was healthy.

The guilt trip is not fun, nor is the diagnosis. And any mother who chooses to be selfish and risk the health and well-being of her child for the sake of "enjoying a drink" needs a reality check, because the very thought of risking harm to your unborn baby is beyond me.

 

[Emmysmommy]

with DD I drank on holidays. She's perfectly healthy and I didn't over do it. With this one before I knew I was pregnant I had some drinks, and everything seems okay. I only will drink a glass of wine at dinner for holidays with this one too.

 

[dimplesmagee]

Brandi, I really appreciate your posts so much. My brother who has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome...yes his mother drank when she was pregnant with him, causing him mental ******ation. He is 33 years old with a mentally of a 5 year old!! He cannot ever live on his own, he needs constant supervision, and he does not know how to read, or do simple math. He has been a blessing in my life, and I thank God for him everyday, but knowing that this was a CHOICE his mother made, really makes me angry sometimes. To think his mother had the chance to give him a fullfilling life, makes me so sad. Ladies...this is your CHILD!!!! It is a gift given to you...why are you abusing it? Your job as a mother from day one that your baby is conceived is to take care of him/her in the best way you know possible. Drinking alcohol is not the best way possible! I am so sad to hear that you ladies cannot give up drinking for the holidays, or dinner or whatever! It is so sad to me that you are putting your child at risk for your own pleasure.
Children who have speach delays, behavioral problems, get diagnosed with ADHD, are socially awkward...who's to say these things don't happen to your child in relation to the small amounts of alcohol drank during pregnancy... it is hard to correlate these issues with alochol use b/c moms either don't report drinking, or they underreport how much they really drank. That is why there is no concrete evidence. The fact of the matter is, it is a drug, a drug that passes through the placenta barrier. When you drink, your baby drinks! As we have already learned from Brandi, all of us women tolerate alcohol differently, and well, our babies have no tolerance to it at all. They are drunk. You don't respect your babies...then I am not sure why you are asking for respect from women of this forum. Plain and simple.

 

[InvisibleRain]

it'd be much safer to avoid it at all costs hun...... I dont drink, and even if i did i'd have stopped as soon as i found out i was pregnant. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[ShanandBoc]

with DD I drank on holidays. She's perfectly healthy and I didn't over do it.

How do you really know tho? You dont how much is too much for sure? As Brandi has said, the effects dont always show up until later in life....and if you did get away with it, thats great, but doesnt mean you will next time or that someone else will

 

[My_First]

Throughout pregnancy you are asked to make choices from the moment your baby is conceived to the day you die.
MMR - To Jab or Not
H1N1 - A nice debate going on the other page regarding this
Amnio - Yes or no?
Shellfish - Well cooked it kills all of the bugs so there is no risk, no risk at all.Yet some will continue not to 'risk it'.

As with all of these things there is no evidence one way or another, and so I make a choice, as I will with all of the decisions that I amd my OH have to make on our child. Just becuase I choose a different option to you, doesnt make me wrong.

I would also ask that NO ONE, has the right to judge me or call me selfish for my choices, only God has a right to judge. So I ask, please, if we keep this friendly and not personal, as I have never been personal to anyone else.