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pregnant health

Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

Wednesday 01 April 2009

Here's a story that's bound to spark debate!

Five months pregnant Caroline Williams was refused a drink at a pub and then asked to leave by staff who said they were protecting her unborn child.

The 26-year-old said she felt humiliated and accused the pub staff of acting like "drink police."

The mum-of-one, 26 was at the Sussex Cricketers pub in Hove with friends last Saturday.

She said: 'I was on a rare night out with some friends. I had a pint of lager and a friend offered to get me another half - that was going to be my limit.

'He was refused service because it was for me and when I later took a sip from another friend's glass the assistant manageress asked me and my friends to leave.

'I never felt so singled out and humiliated in my life."

The incident has reignited the debate on drinking during pregnancy.

Advice from the Chief Medical Officer says that women trying to conceive or who are pregnant should avoid drinking alcohol. But confusingly other experts say an occasional glass of wine will not harm a child.

Since May 2007, the Health Service has advised women to avoid alcohol completely.

But in October 2008, a large-scale study was published showing no link between having the occasional drink during pregnancy and behavioural problems in the child. And GPs often advise women that one or two drinks a week will not be a problem.

Arghhh! So, what's the right thing to do?

What do you think? Should Caroline have been slung out of the pub for having a beer?  If you’re a mum, did you drink any alcohol during pregnancy? Or if you’re planning a family, would you abstain from booze while you’re expecting? Opinions please!

Posted by racheal

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

my friend had her baby 3 months ago, whilst she was pregnant she had a few drinks. she went out for her friends birthday, but only had a couple & went home early.
when she was 8 months pregnant, we went out for a meal and she had a few wkd's. this hasnt harmed her baby. he is a healthy little boy. perfect in every way.

so i think that having a few drinks is fine. just dont over do it. a few wont hurt!

Posted 02/04/2009 09:21:14

Posted by racheal

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

my friend had her baby 3 months ago, whilst she was pregnant she had a few drinks. she went out for her friends birthday, but only had a couple & went home early.
when she was 8 months pregnant, we went out for a meal and she had a few wkd's. this hasnt harmed her baby. he is a healthy little boy. perfect in every way.

so i think that having a few drinks is fine. just dont over do it. a few wont hurt!

Posted 02/04/2009 09:21:18

Posted by Jay101

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

If you ask me drinking when pregnant isnt a good look really and its definitely bad for the baby or why would the government say not too/ Anyone who gets drunk when their pregnant is irresponsible. Its only 9 months cant people just avoid alcohol for that time

Posted 02/04/2009 09:38:06

Posted by jowatts

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

I don't think getting drunk while pregnant is good and if you are a person they cant have just a couple then I would say avoid drinking altogether while pregnant.
My doctor advised me that if as soon as your pregnant you cut out everything your body will go into stress but that wasn't the go ahead to get bladdered he just advised to cut down a lot. (not that I am a heavy drinker)
I did have a couple of spritzers maybe one a wek or every two weeks but when I say sprizter I mean half wine half lemonade.
My daughter is 3 years old weighed a healthy 7.6 pounds and her teachers say she is very intelligent and has a good memory.
So it obviously hasn't affected her.
I don't think a couple of spritzers now and then throughout your pregnancy will hurt but thats just my opinion I am sure others will disagree.

Posted 02/04/2009 11:14:47

Posted by Betty Boo 1

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

In my opinion having just had a baby whats the harm in NOT drinking for 9 months, its not like you would choose to give a baby an alcoholic drink when its born so whats the difference when pregnant.

Don't get me wrong I'm not against anyone enjoying themselves but as a Mum all I wanted to do was protect my bump as they are so precious and yes they may be born a good weight etc...but still whats a few months.

You've got a life time to drink after they've been born especially to go out and 'wet the babies head' which i'm doing next week - roll on the hangover!!!

Posted 04/04/2009 15:17:46

Posted by melanieb

RE: Is it OK to drink when pregnant?

Although it's not definite that drinking will harm an unborn child, there's certainly a high enough risk, so why chance it? Your baby has an entire lifetime that it will have to live with any consequences of a mum's drinking. Give it the best start you can in life, because if your baby does have any problems later on (which aren't always apparent at birth), it's too late and it's a regret you'll have to live with forever.

I think i agree with the landlord chucking the pregnant woman out of the pub, but maybe the bar staff had personal issues - maybe they'd been trying to get pregnant and couldn't and then they see someone who doesn't seem to care about the risks they're putting their unborn child through and got angry and jealous. On the other hand, bar staff have a responsibility to stop serving customers if they seem inebriated, maybe they also saw it as their responsibility to protect the unborn child since the mother wasn't doing so herself. But do shopkeepers still sell cigarettes to pregnant women?

Posted 05/04/2009 17:22:03



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