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Did you have a glass of wine when you were pregnant? This seems to be a hot button issue right now. ABC News ran an article on its website that is bringing up the debate. According to the
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, you should NOT have a casual glass of wine while you're pregnant-no exceptions. However, some doctors say we're going too far with all the things we can't do when we have a growing fetus inside us. Why do doctors have differing opinions on this topic? Probably because there are no or very few studies looking at the effects of an occasional glass of wine, sushi, soft cheese and uncooked deli meat on pregnant women. Who would want to be the guinea pig in those studies? "Sure, I'll do something that could be potentially harmful to my baby for your study." I can't imagine a parent saying that.
According to the ACOG:
"When you are pregnant, the baby inside you is exposed to what is in your bloodstream. A little bit of alcohol may not affect you, but it may hurt your baby. Alcohol quickly reaches the fetus through your bloodstream. It crosses the placenta to the baby. In adults, the liver breaks down alcohol. Your baby's liver is not yet able to break down the alcohol. Thus, its effects are more harmful to the baby."
What can happen to your baby if you drink during your pregnancy?
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labor
- Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) (small baby)
- Heart Defects
- Learning problems
- Speech problems
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (short height, low weight, small head, abnormal facial features, club foot, heart defects, ear infections, vision problems, dental problems)
Will a couple of glasses of wine in your second or third trimester cause any of the effects listed above? Most doctors say probably not. But the thing is, they just don't know how much is too much. So some of them say a drink every once in awhile is fine. Others say absolutley no alcohol.
So what do you think? Did any of you or your wives have a glass of wine or a drink while pregnant?
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
