Is Red Wine Safe During Pregnancy
A recent British study claims that it is safe for pregnant women to drink up to a glass of wine every day, without putting their childs life in jeopardy. Findings also concluded that that in a static balance, it was observed that children performed better if their mothers had a higher total consumption of alcohol before and after pregnancy. This is likely to confuse pregnant women even more, owing to so many varied opinions on the subject. When it comes to red wine, the whole debate revolves around an ingredient found in red wine called Resveratrol. It is said to protect one against obesity. So when you are not pregnant this ingredient can be considered very healthy, but when you are pregnant, it is said to have some adverse effects on the babys digestive system.
Again, Resveratrol is a very common ingredient and is present in even in some fruits and chocolates. Not only that, it is present in many medicines too. So, does that mean you should avoid taking fruits and chocolates too? No, the point is to take everything in the appropriate proportion. However, there is no research about the potential effects of drinking alcohol when expecting and what amounts are safe. Too much of anything can be harmful.
How Many Glasses Of Wine Can You Drink While Pregnant
Pregnant women who drink up to two standard glasses of wine a week are unlikely to harm their unborn baby, a new study suggested. The evidence that light or occasional drinking in pregnancy was harmful was surprisingly limited but scientists advised expectant moms are advised to avoid alcohol just in case.
Research On Alcohol During Pregnancy
Studies over the past decade have yielded conflicting results about the risks of alcohol use on infants. For instance, a 2013 study compared birth outcomes in over 5,600 women in England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand who were pregnant for the first time.
In terms of alcohol consumption, the authors found that during the first trimester:
- More than half of women reported drinking alcohol.
- 34% reported at least one binge episode.
- 19% said that they had one to two drinks per week. A drink was defined as one glass of wine or less than a 12-ounce bottle of beer.
- 25% said that they drank three to seven drinks per week.
- 15% reported having eight to 14 drinks per week.
- 5% consumed more than 14 drinks per week.
In comparing all of the study participantsboth those who drank and those who did notthe data showed no association between alcohol consumption before 15 weeks and adverse birth outcomes, measured as low birth weight, small birth size, preterm birth, and preeclampsia (a potentially life-threatening condition in which a pregnant person develops high blood pressure.
This study did not focus on mental impairment caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.
More recent research has found different results, including a 2020 review of 23 studies that examined the effects of alcohol intake in pregnancy. Data from these studies revealed an increased incidence of low birth weight and cognitive problems in children born to parents who consumed alcohol in pregnancy.
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Stopping Drinking When Pregnant
For lots of women, stopping drinking when pregnant can be difficult – sometimes harder than they thought. The social pressure to have a drink can also be huge and can make it harder to say no.
With the right support and a bit of planning, you can do it. Talking to your midwife is the first step towards getting the right support for you and your baby.
Alcohol And Pregnancy: Is ‘a Little Bit’ Safe
Find out what experts say about whether light drinking is risky when youre pregnant.
If you’re pregnant and wondering if it’s OK to indulge in the occasional small glass of merlot or to sip a little champagne on New Years Eve, the advice you receive may be confusing.
Some doctors recommend that you completely avoid alcohol when youre expecting others say that occasional light drinking is unlikely to harm your baby.
Chances are your friends are divided on this, too. One might confide that they enjoyed the occasional beer during their pregnancy and feels their child turned out fine, while another sees this as taking an unnecessary risk.
For decades, researchers have known that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects. But the potential effects of small amounts of alcohol on a developing baby are not well understood.
Whatever the risks, many moms-to-be are choosing not to totally give up alcohol. A recent CDC study found that about one in eight pregnant women in the U.S. report drinking at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month.
Heres what doctors say pregnant women should keep in mind when deciding whether to drink lightly or to steer clear of alcohol altogether.
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What Kind Of Wine Can I Drink While Pregnant
After discussing about the dangers of wine in pregnancy, lets give you a good news. Red wine has many benefits to offer pregnant women. But all these benefits are obtainable without drinking too and we yet dont profess alcohol in any form.
Still we would discuss this relatively new concept of wines safe for pregnancy.
Red wine aids in weight loss, prevention of cancer, reducing risk of stroke and even Alzheimers Disease.
Does it offer the same benefits for pregnancy? Studies on red wine and pregnancy have not been conclusive as the optimum dose is yet to be discovered. Aged red wines are the best red wine during pregnancy but all can cause addiction.
Wine and pregnancy are best when not together!
What Are The Risks Of Drinking Wine While Pregnant
The wine has a very low percentage of alcohol compared to other beverages. Nevertheless, medical authorities like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both condemn the use of alcohol during pregnancy not even traces.
The biggest risk of drinking alcohol while pregnant is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . Unlike other changes in the fetus from maternal habits, FAS doesnt go away and has severe symptoms. The syndrome results when women consume alcohol during pregnancy. In spite of the risk, many women indulge in alcoholism even when they are pregnant.
Symptoms of the FAS include growth retardation, hyperactivity, social seclusion, inability to focus and flattened upper lip groove.
However, heavy alcohol consumption is the risk factor for the occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. If you accidently had alcohol before getting a positive pregnancy test, theres no harm. Stress can harm your baby more than the glass of wine you had in early pregnancy.
Addiction leaves no room for understanding the financial situation or the needs of the baby. After gaining tolerance for 7 weeks of continuous drinking, you will want more. Indirectly you may ignore your health. Even if alcohol directly wont affect your baby, the ill-effects will transfer.
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Wine And Pregnancy Myths
Myth: Im on vacation or at a special occasion, it should be perfectly fine to at least have a few celebratory sips.
Unfortunately, no matter how much we wish it so, the human body cannot discern between regular days and holidays/special occasions. Alcohol does not magically lose its toxicity in utero because it happens to be New Years Eve.
The negative effects of prenatal alcohol exposure are primarily on the developing baby . The rule to stay away from any kind of alcoholic drink isnt to judge your lifestyle choices or to stop you from having fun. Basically, its to make sure your baby is as healthy as possible when its born.
Myth: A single glass of wine is not enough to expose the fetus to alcohol in the womb.
It is very important to note that NO amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Whether or not you consider it a negligible or tiny amount, any alcohol you consume will still be passed to your baby and may result in the development of FASDs. It may be a bit tough, but learning to firmly say no to having even a small glass of wine can make all the difference.
Myth: Its better to drink wine than be on cocaine or heroin while pregnant.
Alcohol, including wine, causes more damage to the developing baby than many illicit drugs. The Institute of Medicine says, Of all the substances of abuse , alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus. In any case, it shouldnt matter which is better as they are all harmful in pregnancy.
How Alcohol Can Harm Your Baby
Alcohol can damage your baby’s developing brain and body. Alcohol passes from the mother’s blood into the baby’s blood through the placenta.
Some women break down alcohol faster than others. This is genetic. The longer it takes to break down the alcohol and remove it from the body, the longer your baby is exposed to its harmful effects.
How your baby will be affected will depend on:
- how much alcohol you drink, the more you drink the greater the risk
- how often you drink alcohol
- how your body absorbs and breaks down alcohol
- what stage of pregnancy you drink alcohol – it is particularly harmful during the first 3 months
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So Can Pregnant Women Drink Wine Or What
The question of very light and sporadic drinking during pregnancy remains a matter of much debate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends totally dry pregnancies. It states: there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. The Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and most major medical organizations say basically the same thing and yes, dry means no wine.
But in recent years, there has been mounting skepticism of this blanket booze ban. Some women feel its their right to decide whats best for their body and baby. And from what theyve read online or seen other pregnant people do, they just dont buy that any amount of alcohol is bad news. Some obstetricians even suggest abstinence with a wink and a nod, having delivered hundreds or even thousands of healthy newborns, some of whose mothers enjoyed wine while pregnant.
Those who scoff at the idea that pregnancy must be completely dry arent pulling their beliefs out of thin air. There is, in fact, some decent science suggesting that light or even moderate alcohol consumption may not be as detrimental as its made out to be.
Homemade Wine During Pregnancy
You can pamper yourself with pregnancy safe mocktails and enjoy the placebo. Mixing ingredients like soda, lime, ginger, mint, and syrup will give you similar taste like your favourite Hurricane. Yeah, you thought of using the trick to feed your baby but mommas first.
Unless you live in a vineyard with wine barrels in your wineries, real homemade wine will be too much for your pregnant self.
Some of these drinks will even help you deal with nausea and the seeping monotony without clubbing and partying. Try mixing mild flavors and dont add everything. You could make a fake champagne with apple juice and pineapple juice and ginger shreds. Wine tasting while pregnant is fun when you do all the experiments on, guess who?
From cocktails to mocktails pregnancy rocks!
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Why Do Some People Say That Drinking Small Amounts Of Alcohol During Pregnancy Is Safe Then
Studies into drinking alcohol in pregnancy have had mixed results. Some havent been able to find convincing evidence that drinking small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy is bad for your baby .
One review found that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy was linked with a slightly increased risk of having a small baby. But it couldnt prove that it affected birth weight or the risk of premature birth .
Because of this, some people have said there is no evidence to suggest that drinking small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy is harmful. But this is misleading. Just because drinking small amounts of alcohol might not harm some babies, it doesnt mean that there is no risk for other babies .
For example, its possible that the effects of alcohol use are different depending on how many months pregnant the mum is when she has a drink. Or it could depend on individual differences in how she metabolises, i.e. breaks down, alcohol.
It may also be the case that light drinking might result in more subtle effects that cannot be detected by small-scale studies.
More large-scale studies need to be carried out to look into the effects of light to moderate drinking during pregnancy. Until these studies have been done, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a range of physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities that someone may experience due to fetal alcohol exposure. There is currently no information on the level of alcohol consumption that causes FASD, therefore avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is recommended as a preventative measure.
Its not known how many people have FASD in Australia. Experts suspect there are more cases than are reported. The 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found one quarter of women continued to drink after finding out they were pregnant.
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More Research Is Needed
Although heavy drinking can obviously be harmful, the risks of light and moderate drinking arent as clear.
Some women may have been reassured by a study that was published in October 2010 in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
In that study, researchers in the U.K. reported that the 5-year-old children of women who drank up to one to two alcoholic drinks per week or per occasion while pregnant were not at an increased risk of behavioral or cognitive problems. The authors noted, however, that its possible that developmental problems linked to maternal drinking could emerge later in childhood. They are planning a follow-up study to monitor the children as they grow older.
What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Each year, up to 40,000 babies are born with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the U.S.10 The term FASD is used to describe any of several conditions that develop as a result of a mothers alcohol use when a child is in utero.11 While fetal death is the most extreme outcome to result from drinking while pregnant, fetal alcohol spectrum represents the most overt presentation of the FASD spectrum.11 FAS can result from high alcohol consumption, binge drinking, or regular use of alcohol throughout pregnancy.
Those with FAS may have central nervous system problems, abnormal facial features, growth complications and problems with memory, attention span, hearing, learning or vision.11 People with FAS may have a mix of these problems and the effects are irreversible and last a lifetime. However, this condition is 100% preventable if a mother abstains from alcohol during pregnancy.
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What If I Need Help To Stop Drinking
If you drink heavily and you think you may have problems stopping, talk to your doctor or midwife. This is because you may have withdrawal symptoms. These can include delirium tremens , and you will need help to manage them. The healthcare team caring for you during your pregnancy can give you advice and support.
Here are some organisations that can also support you:
- We Are With You a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of alcohol and drug misuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous a free self-help group its “12-step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups
- NOFAS-UK helpline on 020 8458 5951
Benefits Of Wine During Pregnancy
Although drinking any amount of wine during pregnancy is advised against, there may be a few benefits of drinking wine.
Drinking Red Wine during pregnancy can
- Prevent heart diseases. The antioxidants in red wine can raise the level of good cholesterol or HDL
Drinking White Wine in pregnancy can
- Help maintain the muscles of the heart
Despite the benefits, it is always recommended that pregnant women stay cautious and
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Is My Drinking Out Of Control
Some women know they are drinking too much but do not feel able to talk about it. You may not realise that drinking alcohol has become an issue if you are drinking little and often. Or you might be hiding the fact you are drinking alcohol because you fear being judged.
Everyone who cares for you during your pregnancy wants you to be well and to have a healthy baby. Cutting down or stopping on your own can be difficult, and you may need help.
Talk to your doctor or midwife, they will not judge you and they can offer you more support if you need it.
Is It Safe To Drink A Little During Pregnancy
The advice is no, not really. Research has shown that even drinking small amounts of alcohol could potentially be harmful for your baby . The UK Chief Medical Officer has therefore recommended that, as a precaution, you shouldnt drink alcohol at all during your pregnancy. This is also the case if youre trying to get pregnant .
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also back this up. They advise against drinking if you think you could become pregnant, or if youre breastfeeding .
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What If I Drank Alcohol Before I Knew I Was Pregnant
If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, try not to worry. The risk of harm to the baby is likely to be low if you were only drinking small amounts. If you are worried you can talk to your midwife or GP. The important thing to remember is that avoiding alcohol once you find out you are pregnant will help keep your baby safe.
