Drinking while pregnant

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

If my wife drank while she was pregnant, I'd take away one of her Christmas presents if it was the right time of year...wait these threads are all starting to blend together.

 

[lillygator]

Ok - so if a restaurant fears liability because of pregnancy.....they would only know that when you can physically see it...what about the early months? What about people with heart conditions? I mean, come on....I can see the "drunk" being refused but really people!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Sorry to see you post something like that.

Sometimes I get tired of people acting so perfect when no one on this planet is perfect. I am not perfect and sometimes I do get snarky (but I promise not as in #10). It's up to an individual to figure out what he or she is comfortable with.

What gets me are the judgmental tones:

No, you aren't the only one. I never drank. I admit if I saw a pregnant woman drinking I would have thought "what is she thinking".

Gosh, I guess you can flame me if you want, but am I the only one here who things it's wrong to drink while pregnant? Even a glass?

So because others on this thread have had some alcohol while pregnant, they are WRONG, even when their doctors have said it is okay.

 

[lillygator]

also - I have seen some people who appear pregnant who actually aren't - what about them?

And I have to agree with Miss Jasmine's post....

 

[cardaway]

Sometimes I get tired of people acting so perfect when no one on this planet is perfect.

Having an opinion on one subject like this and being perfect are two different things.

For every doctor tellng a woman a drink or two is OK there is another doctor saying to stay away from everything containing alcohol. Under the circumstances I don't think there is anything wrong with falling on the side of caution.

Questioning others is borderline, but people sure do condone stepping in on other issues, especially those involving pregant women.

 

[MidgeD79]

Here we go down the slippery slope. What about serving desserts to a diabetic who is pregnant or too much caffeine or....or...or? Restaurants are not the morality police.

 

[Jennifer S]

No, you aren't the only one. I never drank. I admit if I saw a pregnant woman drinking I would have thought "what is she thinking". Just walking past you wouldn't know is it just a sip or is she planning on drinking a lot. I don't think the waitress handled it right though. She could have said "Sorry I'm not allowed to serve alcohol to a pregnant woman". If that's the case.

Miss Jasmine:
Please if you are going to quote me - use the WHOLE quote. I said you wouldn't know if the person is having a little or a lot. Seriously - if you saw a visibly pregnant woman with a bottle of wine in front of her you wouldn't wonder I said I wouldn't but that's me. I never said or implied I'm perfect.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm just voicing MY opinion here. I can't believe the waitress said that. Maybe it's something to do with liability but still she only asked for a glass and she could have handled it/worded it better.

How I feel about drinking...I'm not sure. I think maybe once in awhile it 'might' be alright. I had a few drinks at a party before I knew I was pregnant and my first DD is perfectly healthy but once I knew I was pregnant I stopped. That's the choice I made for me and my baby.

I also would wonder, if I saw a very pregnant woman drinking, if she's just having one or several, I can't help it, I'm human and that is what I'd be thinking. I think smoking while pregnant is even worse than a drink now and then and I hate seeing a pregnant woman smoke. My mother smoked during all 6 of her pregnancies and my siblings and myself all have allergies and asthma etc...which I think is a direct result of her smoking. Of course, I have no proof but that's my opinion.

I was also afraid of caffeine and tried hard not to have too much but I couldn't give up my iced tea that I craved throughout the pregnancy. Well, my second DD had so many health issues when she was born (one kidney, reflux to name a few) that I couldn't help but wonder if it was the caffeine and I felt SO guilty so I'm now in the camp of "why risk it".

Having an opinion that drinking or smoking (or doing drugs) while pregnant is wrong and not worth the risk is just that, an opinion. Certainly doesn't mean I'm 'perfect' because I have that opinion. I'm far from perfect but I do have opinions that may differ from others; doesn't mean I think I'm a better person either.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Miss Jasmine:
Please if you are going to quote me - use the WHOLE quote. I said you wouldn't know if the person is having a little or a lot. Seriously - if you saw a visibly pregnant woman with a bottle of wine in front of her you wouldn't wonder I said I wouldn't but that's me. I never said or implied I'm perfect.

Actually no I would not wonder. It's not my business. Adults can make their own decisions.

 

[Jennifer S]

I'm just voicing MY opinion here. I can't believe the waitress said that. Maybe it's something to do with liability but still she only asked for a glass and she could have handled it/worded it better.

How I feel about drinking...I'm not sure. I think maybe once in awhile it 'might' be alright. I had a few drinks at a party before I knew I was pregnant and my first DD is perfectly healthy but once I knew I was pregnant I stopped. That's the choice I made for me and my baby.

I also would wonder, if I saw a very pregnant woman drinking, if she's just having one or several, I can't help it, I'm human and that is what I'd be thinking. I think smoking while pregnant is even worse than a drink now and then and I hate seeing a pregnant woman smoke. My mother smoked during all 6 of her pregnancies and my siblings and myself all have allergies and asthma etc...which I think is a direct result of her smoking. Of course, I have no proof but that's my opinion.

I was also afraid of caffeine and tried hard not to have too much but I couldn't give up my iced tea that I craved throughout the pregnancy. Well, my second DD had so many health issues when she was born (one kidney, reflux to name a few) that I couldn't help but wonder if it was the caffeine and I felt SO guilty so I'm now in the camp of "why risk it".

Having an opinion that drinking or smoking (or doing drugs) while pregnant is wrong and not worth the risk is just that, an opinion. Certainly doesn't mean I'm 'perfect' because I have that opinion. I'm far from perfect but I do have opinions that may differ from others; doesn't mean I think I'm a better person either.

Very well said.

 

[froglady]

Since an aversion to alchohol of any type was my first indication that I was pregnant, this was never an issue.

However, I was miffed when DH & I went out to dinner for the first time after DD was born. (within 2 weeks of delivery) DM (of 5) was staying with us, so I knew DD was in good hands. I had also expressed and bottled enough milk for 24 hours, so was looking forward to sharing a bottle of wine with DH to celebrate. The waiter looked at me strangely, and said that he didn't think I should be drinking wine in my "condition." (Guess who joined WW and a fitness club shortly after to get the baby fat off?)

 

[va32h]

The waitress was in the wrong, and I would have contacted the manager to complain.

Having said that, I would never have even considered drinking alcohol while pregnant. Whatever small pleasure I might have derived from the drink would not be worth any risk to the baby.

 

[jfulcer]

Gosh, I guess you can flame me if you want, but am I the only one here who things it's wrong to drink while pregnant? Even a glass?

But that's your choice to make. You have free will - you can chose to NOT have a drink and it's ok. DW's OB told her to lay off the caffeine while she was pregnant. Should then the server refuse to serve all pregnant women soda and coffee?

The server didn't give the OP the choice, I think that's what is wrong here.

 

[yeartolate]

The waitress was way out of line.

I had a rare glass of wine when I was pregnant (maybe a total of four glasses throughout my pregnancy).

I did not smoke. I severely cut back on caffiene.

My baby was 9 pounds and 24" long and healthy. (25 inches at day 7 )

I would never encourage a pregnant woman to drink, but I fail to see how one glass of wine every 2 or 3 months could harm a fetus.(assuming one is keeping up with a normal dietary and fluid intake and is otherwise healthy)

I think the pregnant mom who is going over the top with chemicals disinfecting her house is doing much more harm to the fetus than a rare glass of wine ever could.

 

[chi_girl]

Wow - This thread picked up quite a bit.

I did call the manager this afternoon. I very calmly explained that I found it strange that their wait staff feel it is within their rights to disallow a pregnant customer to taste a glass of wine. The manager was pretty suprised by the actions of the waitress, and even mentioned that his wife drank sparingly while pregnant. He apologized and offered a gift certificate, which I declined, because it was never my intention to get something out of them.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I agree. The waitress was out of line with her comment. Its one thing to tell someone they don't serve alcohol to visibly pregnant customers and if you would like to speak to the manager about it, she would get them but its another to make a comment like that.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I am fairly certain that liability with insurance had nothing to do with this waitress's behavior. Sorry to the OP for such bad service. As for the occasional glass of wine, to each her own. My Dr. encouraged it with discretion. DIscretion being the key word!

 

[cats7494]

I don't agree with the action of the waitress - it reallywas not her business

However - I am 33 weeks pregnant and would not consider drinking alcohol. This is just my opinion - I am not forcing it on others. (just had to add that little claim at the end to make sure I am not judged be a "perfect" poster)

 

[yeartolate]

Peeptini anyone?

 

[chi_girl]

I can't completely understand the problems that many seem to have with drinking sparingly while pregnant.

This is the first time I have even thought about drinking while pregnant as a problem. It isn't something that ever crossed my mind.

With DD#1, I was pregnant while we were still living in Switzerland. DH and I would go out to dinner, and it wasn't a question with the wait staff whether or not I would be drinking. They just always assumed that I was, and would pour wine for both of us. occationally, I would decline because I wasn't feeling well, and the waiters would look surprised. Everyone I know would think it was weird to not drink lightly while pregnant.

With DD#2, I was back in the US, but I was so ill (in and out of the hospital) that I couldn't even imagine drinking alcohol. I was having a hard enough time keeping down water.

Truthfully, I never really gave it much thought. It is interesting to read everyones comments.