Do Alcohol And Pregnancy Mix?

The information out there on pregnancy and having a glass of wine or a beer is convoluted and a woman wanting to know if she can enjoy the occasional glass of alcohol may have trouble pinning the answer down to a definite yes or no.

Alcohol and pregnancy does remain a matter of your own choice and decision, but there are some facts that can help you be informed about the results and consequences of that glass of wine and what the limits to drinking during pregnancy are.

Knowing what your doctor recommends as the limits to having a drink or some wine is important and following government health-care recommendations can also be a good guideline as to what is safe for your baby.

Moderation in alcohol consumption during your pregnancy is key, and for an expectant mother, moderation means stopping after one drink. Should you go over that mark or find yourself drinking more than the recommended amounts for alcohol consumption during pregnancy, for the sake of your child, seek some counsel and help from your doctor.

Is this true? Some websites and doctors heavily advise zero consumption, feeling that any substance with a potential of interfering with your baby's development should be completely cut out from your diet until birth. Others take a more relaxed approach and lean on studies that show little or no adverse effects from the occasional drink that you might have at a special event or just to unwind. Certainly, one or two drinks over the course of your pregnancy may have no effects on your baby at all.

But one thing is important to remember - researchers and scientists are still studying the effects of alcohol on the unborn foetus and there has been, as of yet, no final, conclusive information as to what amount of alcohol, if any, is safe to ingest during pregnancy.

While most governments and health organizations agree that the intermittent drink (four or less per week) is fine for expectant mothers, a recent study has shown that babies of 25 weeks of age responding sluggishly to sound tests when the woman has followed government limits on alcohol consumption.

Ultimately, it will always be up to you to decide whether you feel that one drink is safe for you and your baby. Results of studies continue to show that alcohol does have an effect on foetuses, but answers about what extent drinking hinders baby's development have yet to be discovered.

A zero-indulgence level on your part is certainly the best choice, though most likely, one glass of wine or a half beer every now and then won't do lasting developmental damage to your child. In the end, it's up to you to decide what you feel is the right choice for you and your baby.

About the author

Andi Michaels owns and writes regularly for Pregnancy And Family Planning where you can find more information and advice on all aspects of pregnancy. Go to How to Stay Healthy for information and advice on staying healthy generally

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