Drinking while pregnant--- child abuse?

[va32h]

Turning to our old friend Google, I found this article from 2005:

http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/05/1108pregnant.html

So clearly some state lawmakers do think drinking while pregnant is child abuse and are trying to do something about it.

I just don't know. I don't drink at all - ever - so it was a non-issue in my pregnancies. In general, I don't like to see state involvement in something like a woman's pregnancy. I know I did things (ate tuna, colored my hair, drank caffeinated beverages) that many pregnancy books advised against.

And yet, if a child is born with impairments caused by his mother's drinking it's the state who could end up with the financial burden of his care so perhaps they do have a vested interest in preventing these impairments.

I guess I can see both sides.

 

[momx2]

Less than 10 years ago, my doctor actually recommended a glass of red wine a couple times a week. He felt it was far less invasive than some of the meds out there.

Mine too...along with a nice warm (not hot) bath soak.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Turning to our old friend Google, I found this article from 2005:

http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/05/1108pregnant.html

So clearly some state lawmakers do think drinking while pregnant is child abuse and are trying to do something about it.

I just don't know. I don't drink at all - ever - so it was a non-issue in my pregnancies. In general, I don't like to see state involvement in something like a woman's pregnancy. I know I did things (ate tuna, colored my hair, drank caffeinated beverages) that many pregnancy books advised against.

And yet, if a child is born with impairments caused by his mother's drinking it's the state who could end up with the financial burden of his care so perhaps they do have a vested interest in preventing these impairments.

I guess I can see both sides.

That is good, once they get started making laws it will protect everyone.

Oh, and when are they going to add that you can't get pregnant if your family has a history of obesity? or heart problems, or are diabetic or birth defects, or autism, or so on and so on?

That is the problem if you start to legistate something, some people just HAVE to put in their opinion of what is safe for someone elses life! IMHO

usually its politicians that are catering to interest groups.

(Okay, soapbox switch is now set to "off")

(in the words of the Human Tourch: "Flame on!")

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just wanted to add. If you NEED a drink because you are stressed. Then you have issues that require help. There are plenty of ways to lower your BP without drinking or using meds. Nobody NEEDS to drink. They CHOOSE to drink. If you have a drink because you are stressed then you CHOSE to drink instead of doing somehting else that would help. So if you have a NEED then you NEED to seek help. JMHO. Flame away!

 

[bluefairy13]

(Okay, soapbox switch is now set to "off")

(in the words of the Human Tourch: "Flame on!")

You can stay on the soapbox as far as I am concerned.

Count me with those who are sick of the government saving us from ourselves.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I guess I'm on the side where earlier on in the pregnancy I would touch a drop of wine.... but at say 8 and a half months I had half a glass of wine. I don't know why I felt like that was more okay, but I did...

 

[helenabear]

I just wanted to add. If you NEED a drink because you are stressed. Then you have issues that require help. There are plenty of ways to lower your BP without drinking or using meds. Nobody NEEDS to drink. They CHOOSE to drink. If you have a drink because you are stressed then you CHOSE to drink instead of doing somehting else that would help. So if you have a NEED then you NEED to seek help. JMHO. Flame away!

just curious, what do you think of doctors that prescribe drinking a glass every so often to help with the uterine contractions? I've known several people who have had doctors suggest that late in pregnancy. They weren't stressed, but that was an easy way to keep the contractions down. These weren't ones who felt the need to drink either.

 

[rie'smom]

I just wanted to add. If you NEED a drink because you are stressed. Then you have issues that require help. There are plenty of ways to lower your BP without drinking or using meds. Nobody NEEDS to drink. They CHOOSE to drink. If you have a drink because you are stressed then you CHOSE to drink instead of doing somehting else that would help. So if you have a NEED then you NEED to seek help. JMHO. Flame away!

If a doctor suggests a glass of wine, he probably thinks it's better than a Xanax or Valium. Maybe they should CHOOSE to light up a doobie or go ahead and take that pill.
I think that there are a lot of stressed people on the thread.

 

[NMAmy]

I just wanted to add. If you NEED a drink because you are stressed. Then you have issues that require help. There are plenty of ways to lower your BP without drinking or using meds. Nobody NEEDS to drink. They CHOOSE to drink. If you have a drink because you are stressed then you CHOSE to drink instead of doing somehting else that would help. So if you have a NEED then you NEED to seek help. JMHO. Flame away!

Just a note--the only time I've had high blood pressure in my life was when I was pregnant. Apparently, being PREGNANT was what was making my BP go up, not any "issues" that needed help. Except the whole giving birth issue--that helped my BP a lot.

I went by the guidelines of the time when I was pregnant--no caffeine, no alcohol, no smoking. I (gasp) ate hot dogs and lunch meat--what's up with those, btw?

As poohandwendy stated in an earlier post--I'm older and I've seen a lot of medical advice come into vogue and then be proved wrong. Babies should sleep ONLY on their tummies. Babies should sleep ONLY on their back. You must have bumper pads so the baby doesn't get stuck in between the crib rails. Bumper pads will suffocate a baby. My mom thought it was just fine to smoke during pregnancy with all 3 kids. Eggs are bad. Eggs are GREAT.

If a woman's doctor tells her that a glass of wine will help with her particular problem and be better for the baby than medication that would be prescribed, then unless someone on here is an MD themselves, I'd go with the doctor's advice over a random poster on an internet message board. While I do believe it's better for a woman to forgo alcohol during pregnancy, there's no way I think it's child abuse to have an occasional drink.

 

[mjkacmom]

just curious, what do you think of doctors that prescribe drinking a glass every so often to help with the uterine contractions? I've known several people who have had doctors suggest that late in pregnancy. They weren't stressed, but that was an easy way to keep the contractions down. These weren't ones who felt the need to drink either.

I'm so glad I wasn't on this board when I was pregnant - I might have ignored the advice of my educated OB, turned down the glass of wine, and instead spent numerous hours in the hospital on an IV drip, instead of staying home with my other children.

 

[poohandwendy]

Turning to our old friend Google, I found this article from 2005:

http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/05/1108pregnant.html

So clearly some state lawmakers do think drinking while pregnant is child abuse and are trying to do something about it.

I just don't know. I don't drink at all - ever - so it was a non-issue in my pregnancies. In general, I don't like to see state involvement in something like a woman's pregnancy. I know I did things (ate tuna, colored my hair, drank caffeinated beverages) that many pregnancy books advised against.

And yet, if a child is born with impairments caused by his mother's drinking it's the state who could end up with the financial burden of his care so perhaps they do have a vested interest in preventing these impairments.

I guess I can see both sides.

This article reminded me that it's interesting that the we can make laws to protect the interest of a 'potential life', in regards to whether the mother chooses to use drugs/alcohol during pregnancy. Especially given the fact that the greatest danger to that 'potential life' is abortion...which is a perfectly legal choice for a woman to make. It just really makes the argument that a fetus is just a 'glob of cells' seem irrelevant.

Seems like a slippery slope for Roe v Wade.

 

[binny]

That is good, once they get started making laws it will protect everyone.

Oh, and when are they going to add that you can't get pregnant if your family has a history of obesity? or heart problems, or are diabetic or birth defects, or autism, or so on and so on?

That is the problem if you start to legistate something, some people just HAVE to put in their opinion of what is safe for someone elses life! IMHO

usually its politicians that are catering to interest groups.

(Okay, soapbox switch is now set to "off")

(in the words of the Human Tourch: "Flame on!")

A little OT but my mum (a pastors wife) and I had this conversation yesterday. My brothers and I drink wine (and they drink beer) occasionally and its only been in the last few years that we had ANY in front of her. She really surprised me when she said " You know the church says no alcohol and yet they offer endless potlucks and encourage people to 'eat up'. No one seems to mind the gluttony. How is that less of an issue than the occasional glass of wine?" Then she said "Gluttony is the socially acceptable sin"

This was me:

Its true though. It seems like its OK to be overweight ( and I am speaking as one who IS overweight) and to put that strain on your body is OK but that drinking occasionally is not.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well I will answer a bunch of you at one time. I don't care if my doctor "prescribed" alcohol to "help" me. I would not drink it. Doctors are not God. They do not have all the answers. Part of their suggestions are based on opinion and beliefs. Not on education. I am educated as well. I have a degree as well. Does it make me all knowing? No. Read my earlier post where a friend of mine's doctor "prescribed" benadryll and a shot of vodka every night to help her sleep! Good Lord!!!! IMO that is insane!!!! Doctors don't know everything. Why didn't the doctor "prescribe" breathing techniques, yoga, tai chi, etc. instead of alcohol? The occassional glass of alcohol will not keep your BP lowered. It might be a temporary fix but that's it. Just because a doctor says it does not make it gospel. I respect my doctors but sometimes I just don't buy into their suggestions based on my research. If everyone thinks the doctors know better than them then why do so many chose not to vaccinate (not the people with religious reasons)? I think you should do what you want but I can't lie and tell you that I wouldn't be disgusted if I saw it because I would. This is just something that I feel strongly about. If you were my sister I would definetly say something. To each their own but I think it's selfish and my opinion on it won't change no matter what your doctor says. If you are comfortable drinking then God bless. I just feel the cons outweigh the pros.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

I've seen plenty people give their child coke or diet coke in a bottle. Are they child abusers as well? I've noticed a lot more obese kids than toddler alcoholics.

That's bottle rot waiting to happen....

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

I ate a turkey sandwich today, too. Many people would say THAT was wrong of me. [/QUOTE]

What? Honey you are not Even making sense today.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

Only if it contained an ENTIRE turkey!

 

[mjkacmom]

I ate a turkey sandwich today, too. Many people would say THAT was wrong of me.

What? Honey you are not Even making sense today.[/QUOTE]

Yes she is - many OB's say to stay away from cold cuts, as they might harbor listeria, which is harmful to a developing fetus (although I did indulge in a few sandwiches during my pregnancies).

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Not child abuse!

If it is, I want to start arresting pregnant people at the grocery store who are buying non-organic products. Pesticides hurts fetuses and children under 12 the most. Not drinking hormone free milk - you are abusing your fetus. Same with meat - not organic and loaded with antibiotics and hormones - ick - who would feed that to a growing embryo?

Using lysol or toxic chemicals to clean your house - shame on you. Environmental issues may play a role in the huge rise in autism.

Do you drive the safest car? If not - child abuse.

Where would it end???

 

[helenabear]

I (gasp) ate hot dogs and lunch meat--what's up with those, btw?

It's the scare with listeria. Actually both are fine if heated completely (steaming). Some claim nitrates or something in hot dogs are bad for you, but I eat kosher only (taste preference) which have far fewer of those in there than regular hot dogs. Listeria is rare, but could kill a baby.

Well I will answer a bunch of you at one time. I don't care if my doctor "prescribed" alcohol to "help" me. I would not drink it. Doctors are not God. They do not have all the answers. Part of their suggestions are based on opinion and beliefs. Not on education. I am educated as well. I have a degree as well. Does it make me all knowing? No. Read my earlier post where a friend of mine's doctor "prescribed" benadryll and a shot of vodka every night to help her sleep! Good Lord!!!! IMO that is insane!!!! Doctors don't know everything. Why didn't the doctor "prescribe" breathing techniques, yoga, tai chi, etc. instead of alcohol? The occassional glass of alcohol will not keep your BP lowered. It might be a temporary fix but that's it. Just because a doctor says it does not make it gospel. I respect my doctors but sometimes I just don't buy into their suggestions based on my research. If everyone thinks the doctors know better than them then why do so many chose not to vaccinate (not the people with religious reasons)? I think you should do what you want but I can't lie and tell you that I wouldn't be disgusted if I saw it because I would. This is just something that I feel strongly about. If you were my sister I would definetly say something. To each their own but I think it's selfish and my opinion on it won't change no matter what your doctor says. If you are comfortable drinking then God bless. I just feel the cons outweigh the pros.

What the heck with yoga or tai chi or breathing techniques do to help STOP contractions? I never said a thing about stress, I said CONTRACTIONS only. And I am talking pre-term to the point where the baby would be in distress or in bad shape while born. Most of the time those who are having pre-term contractions are prescribed some drug... and guess what? That is all that alcohol is. I think you are being way too hard on people.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am educated as well. I have a degree as well.

You have a MEDICAL degree? Heck, I have a Master's in Special Education (and actually studied the effects of alcohol on babies - there are no studies that show that moderate use of alcohol during pregnancy harms the fetus) - would you like me to tell you how to manage your diabetes? Sorry, I will trust the advice of my OB over a judgemental person on a message board. Do you frown upon overweight pregnant women eating large bowls of ice cream? There's no medical benefit for that, but gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the child's risk of being obese. Does that disgust you? Have you ever experienced an irritable uterus? Have you ever had a twin pregnancy? Have you even been on the horrible drugs prescribed to stop preterm labor?