Two glasses of wine a week, advice?

Everyone will tell you something different. It’s too late to go back on what you’ve already done but it sounds like you have anxiety about it so it’s best not to drink at all moving forward. Side note, I’ve always heard and believed 0 alcohol but that’s me and I’m from US.

In pregnancy, it is kind of a risk thing. So the amount of alcohol you have increases the risk of complications. A small amount is a small increase, but not enough to worry too much. This is the same for anything else like sushi, cold cuts, soft cheeses. They tell you to avoid all of this to minimize risk as much as possible. But it isn’t putting you at high risk if you have it. It is just increasing risk.

Hi, i haven’t heard of doctors steering from NHS guidelines, but the official advice advice is below which I have been following x https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/drinking-alcohol-while-pregnant/

Thank you! It’s so true that people tells you different things and I got sort of impressionable on holiday as they were so convincing. I don’t even want it anyway but we were all away and they kept on telling me. So, back on the fizzy water.

I don't see the point in having a drink during pregnancy because the safe amount isn't enough to have an effect on you or get you slightly buzzed which is ultimately the reason people drink, I didn't drink at all during pregnancy even since she's been born (3 months) I haven't felt like it I guess it's personal choice

Personally I see it as just because somebody else did it doesn’t mean it will be ok for me, should something were to happen to my baby (godforbid) knowing that I had been drinking even the slightest amount during pregnancy I would blame myself so it’s a risk I’d rather not take x

I completely agree with the above - I am freaking out about that now

This article seems like quite a good read about it. It talks about various studies and says that there's no evidence that low levels of alcohol consumption (1 or 2 units a week) harms the baby. I think they say no alcohol because people find it hard to judge units sometimes and it's easier to say zero alcohol as a guideline. I think it's personal choice but if you want a glass of wine at a wedding, enjoy it guilt free. Xx https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2043426/

I really recommend reading the book “Expecting Better” by Emily Oster. She is extremely good at looking at research and deducing where the research is significant, or where there’s not enough research so it’s not safe, etc. She does say that very low levels of alcohol are safe - ie your 2 small glasses a week in 2nd and 3rd. It also hugely depends on if you a) have them on an empty stomach or if you b) down them 😂 so if you were to down the glasses of wine, there is absolutely a chance that it will go into your bloodstream and reach the placenta. But if you drink them slowly with a meal, your liver breaks it down before that happens and is therefore no risk. Honestly really recommend reading her book, it’s such an easy read and highlights the key things that really should be avoided and things that don’t have the evidence either way, or things that have other evidence etc. also she’s good to follow on Instagram x

Thank you so much Sam - I’m going to order it now! X

I wouldn’t worry if I was my friend didn’t know she was pregnant till 4 months so drank every weekend and her baby is fine a glass or 2 will be fine I think more for your own sanity don’t drink cos u will just worry and we worry enough xxx

Everyone is free to do as they please, whether they want to follow guidelines or not… Personally is a risk I would absolutely not take. Anyone who struggled to conceive in the first place and had miscarriages and no living children yet would probably feel the same. This is my first child after a loss and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe. Not having alcohol for 9 months (and I’m a wine loving Italian 🤣) is a small sacrifice. But ofc to each their own!! xx

I have had pregnant friends who have had a glass of wine at a wedding or on a special occasion and have all had healthy babies, so don’t beat yourself up too much. It’s more how you feel now if it’s giving you anxiety, will that become worse if you have a couple of glasses at the wedding you have coming up. Personally I’ve not had any Alcohol, and I’ve found the non-alcoholic substitutes have helped with that as they’ve given me more of a variety to choose from when out x

@Sam yesss!! I’m so glad you’ve read this book too. Honestly it’s debunked so many myths with evidence based answers and teaches the individual how to collate reputable information, weigh up the risks/ benefits and come out with a confident decision for you! Absolutely loved it. Personally I would only have a couple glasses of wine pre- pregnancy so I’m not really missing it much and alcohol free is a pretty good substitution. It’s been nice experimenting with mocktails! Xx

My midwife said there just isn’t enough research to say whether it’s safe or unsafe - it’s very difficult, if not unethical, to research effects of alcohol on unborn babies/pregnant women. So studies are hard to set up and the studies that have been done, they are usually small samples. Basically, it’s about whether you want to take the risk. Personally I’m not but I wouldn’t feel guilty - I only found out I was pregnant at 11 weeks and drank quite a lot, baby is completely fine! It also effects different babies differently, so nobody knows for sure.

I'd suggest reading the book expecting better she has a lot of research in it gathered from large scale studies worldwide which suggest 1 drink a week first trimester is okay and 1 a day in second and third is okay

Thank you so much everyone! My mind is at ease and I’ve ordered the book. It can be so overwhelming heating different things! Xx

I personally just don’t thinks it is worth the risk