I spent the afternoon today with some guys I have been friendly with for about 20 years (damn I’m getting old). We went out to the suburbs and enjoyed a football Sunday. But this was not your typical “guys, beer & football” afternoon. Today included wives & kids (of which I have neither…yet). (Of import of course my beloved Giants CRUSHED the Baltimore Ravens (30-10) and improved to 9-1. Looking good G-men!)
Of the women in attendance today 2 were pregnant and 3 others have had babies within the last few months. Although I am not a medical doctor, and not even a Wine doctor (maybe one day), I do encourage pregnant women to drink wine (in moderation!) when pregnant (I believe a half a glass or so 2-3 times a week). While I don’t think my encouragement has changed anyone’s previously made up mind, it has not prevented me from throwing my two cents into the equation.
There have been countless studies supporting both both moderate drinking and abstaining during pregnancy, but I recently read one posted a couple of weeks ago on Wine Spectator online. Researched at the University College of London and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the study proudly states:
“…not only can pregnant women safely drink a glass or two of wine per week, but their children performed better three years after birth when compared to children of women who did not drink at all.”
For more information please read the rest of the article. If you are pregnant (or intend to become pregnant) and want to drink alcohol during your pregnancy PLEASE consult your physician, conduct your own research, and DO NOT use this one study to make your decision. And if you do decide to drink (pregnant or not) PLEASE do so in moderation.
Happy (pregnant or not) Wine Tasting!
WTG
controversial here! Lots of factors coming into play….
My hands are tied with this one. I would have to say it should be avoided because the alcohol easily crosses the placenta to the fetus, and the fetus lacks enzymes to break down the alcohol.
However, at the end of the day everyone should do what works for them. For example, Jackie-O smoked through her whole pregnancy, and she had kids that turned out fine, but she also suffered miscarriages.
Yikes, I don’t think I would ever reccomend this for anyone…
Here’s my two sense: First, I think lots of people underestimate the amount of wine they drink. If you tell them 3x a week, they might do 5x…it’s the same with overeaters and how much food they consume while on a diet.
And most importantly it is not known how much alcohol it takes to harm a fetus. It could be one beer, a shot, two glasses of wine, especially if it is consumed during brain formation. My hubby, as an OB/GYN, would have had an absolute fit if alcohol touched my lips during pregnancy and would never recommend it to his patients as an option. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a real and very scary disease with horrible consequences.
Drinking during pregnancy is just not worth the risk. Would you really let your wife risk it? I don’t think you would. A healthy baby is worth abstaining for nine short months. It really is.
Wow, looks like I touched a nerve and sparked some controversy here. Definitely NOT my intention but hey, it adds some interest to the post.
I must admit that I do not feel strongly that women SHOULD drink while pregnant, I simply think that the complete abstaining is unnecessary. That said, I am not a trained professional and must defer to those who are.
However, what of the French and other Europeans who DO consume WINE during pregnancy? Can’t this all be overblown US trained docs covering their asses???
Thanks to all for your insightful comments!!
Long time lurker. Just wanted to let you know that your home link is broken.