Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is it safe or no? The answer is no one knows, nearly 60% feel it is unsafe and can harm the baby where as there are the rest 40% who say that a small drink or a glass of wine or champagne will do no harm.

To be frank how much is safe and how much is not is the answer we need to find out. No doctor can tell with 100% surety whether alcohol consumption is safe or not as no one is sure of it. That is why most doctors for the sake of precaution will advise you to refrain from alcohol till you deliver or at least refrain from it for the first trimester when your baby is developing. But as a mother and as a woman I will always advice you to refrain from alcohol all the 9 months as well as till you are breast feeding. Every mother wants the best for her child and if you know that something may cause harm even if there is no scientific proofs still why indulge in it. But if you are addicted and want to have a drink just to calm your nerves or whatever reasons you know best then have a drink not more than once in 15 days that too only after your first trimester.

Please do not and I repeat do not drink to get drunk.

Heavy drinking will definitely harm your baby as it is dangerous and will harm your child’s mental as well as physical development.

The difference between heavy drinking and binge drinking is that heavy drinkers will have more that 6 pegs of alcohol or glasses of alcohol in a short time but will still never get drunk. A binge drinker is someone who even with one glass will start getting tipsy. Any which ways no heavy drinking or binge drinking till your baby has weaned off. Too much of alcohol can injure your child’s nervous system due to FASD  (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) this disorder has shown  poor brain development that can later cause difficulties in learning to social problems.

In some cases FASD has also lead to facial defects in the child they can be born with some serious facial disorders as well as behavioral disorders. Thankfully in Canada FASD is rare we may hear about 1 or 2 cases in about 20 women.

We know in our heart and mind that alcohol can cause harm to your unborn baby then why indulge in it, why argue how much is safe how much is not? Instead why 

can’t we just refrain from it till our baby is born for sure it is a very small sacrifice to make for the joy you are about to achieve.

In case you are one of the women who is so addicted that they do need alcohol to unwind or to just calm their nerves then replace your glass of scotch vodka and beer with a glass of red wine, red wine has calming effects it will mentally relieve you of your stress and will do no harm to your child. But red wine should not exceed a glass that too not more than twice a month. There are better things you can do to unwind or calm your nerves try taking a hot water bath with some nerve relieving bath salts. Hear some good soulful music read a good book or even better go for a nice long walk.

Warm glass of milk with hot chocolate and a yummy muffin is way more appealing than a glass of wine to calm you down, just hop to Tim Horton’s and pick up a steaming cup of hot chocolate with a rich chocolate or blueberry muffin or a buttered bagel, trust me nothing can be more calming and relieving than this. Trust me these alternatives will make you feel so much more better,  to refrain from alcohol you can always take help from your partner, your parents even your doctor.