Since we've been discussing alcohol

[wkatie]

I think everyone has an anecdote such as "my friend didn't know she was pregnant until 8 weeks and drank every night up until then, her baby is totally fine, advanced" or "my mom had a couples glasses of wine a week and I'm fine" etc.

Does anyone have a different story regarding FAS? I'm just curious. I don't have any experience with it.

I have not and don't really have any plans to drink during pregnancy, but I'm just wondering if moms really have to beat themselves up over having a few sips of wine every now and then.

[adlove]

I'm curious about this too, good question!

[joolz]

My sister is a pediatrician and doesn't have an issue with pregnant ladies having some wine or beer every now and then.

I didn't really drink except a couple of sips in my first pregnancy for the first two trimesters, but once I hit 26 weeks I had a smallish (4oz?) glass of wine at least once, and usually twice, a week. My baby is fine. I don't have a different story, I guess.

All my friends who did the same or similar to me also have happy, healthy babies.

[Deleted]

A close friend of mine was born with FAS. Her mother was a severe alcoholic, died shortly after giving birth, and her father raised her. She is 33 years old now and has SO MANY health problems. She's rail thin, like 100lbs soaking wet at 5'7, bone deficiencies, developmental issues. I mean her mom was rarely ever sober while pregnant (or not for that matter).

A few of my close friends have smoked marijuana during their pregnancies and cigarettes, and the babies actually came out large (10lbs).

I think it's more or less a guideline to follow by the authorities and experts that 1 in 10,000 have health problems but they magnify it as a scare tactic to say "This WILL happen" isntead of this "CAN" happen...

I don't know though.

[NandaB]

I'm not sure what your question is. Are you asking if we know someone with FAS? If that's the case then yes, as a soecial ed teacher I had a 4th grader once with FAS. It definitely affected his health and his learning. But, you don't give your baby FAS by having a drink every few days. In fact, some drs say its ok to have a small glass of wine or beer everyday. Obviously there are people who avoid alcohol completely while pregnant, some people who have sips of other's drinks on occasion, and some people who have a glass of wine at dinner once or twice a week. Its all good.

[Deleted]

I don't have any real evidence but I would be shocked if my grandmother stopped drinking when she was pregnant with my mother and aunt and they were fine. Well, crazy, but probably unrelated to alcohol. I think I will have some wine in third tri but so far I am just liking the weight loss I've had so far and it's probably all due to saying goodbye to my old pal, Pinot.

[iamgrace]

My sister has an acquaintance who drank at least one beer daily while pregnant. If she skipped a day or few drinking, she would drink more to make up for it. Her kids have major hyperactivity and attention issues.

[imoan]

Dec 5, 2012 20:21:16 GMT -5 iamgrace said:

My sister has an acquaintance who drank at least one beer daily while pregnant. If she skipped a day or few drinking, she would drink more to make up for it. Her kids have major hyperactivity and attention issues.

ONE beer a day...?! Yeah, doubt that has to do with th

[NandaB]

Dec 5, 2012 20:36:17 GMT -5 imoan said:

Dec 5, 2012 20:21:16 GMT -5 iamgrace said:

My sister has an acquaintance who drank at least one beer daily while pregnant. If she skipped a day or few drinking, she would drink more to make up for it. Her kids have major hyperactivity and attention issues.

ONE beer a day...?! Yeah, doubt that has to do with th

Yea...I am pretty sure a daily beer doesn't cause ADHD.

[iamgrace]

Dec 5, 2012 22:06:22 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Dec 5, 2012 20:36:17 GMT -5 imoan said:

ONE beer a day...?! Yeah, doubt that has to do with th

Yea...I am pretty sure a daily beer doesn't cause ADHD.

I'm not saying it did, but there were also days where she essentially binged, because she hadn't had one for a few days. I'm talking 10 drinks in a night.

Anyway, just sharing!

[NandaB]

Ewww. That is very different.

[imoan]

Dec 6, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I think Americans in general are alarmists and also extremists. It's safer to tell us just to lay off completely than have a mess of babies with FAS because people don't know the meaning of moderation.

ITA

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I think Americans in general are alarmists and also extremists. It's safer to tell us just to lay off completely than have a mess of babies with FAS because people don't know the meaning of moderation.

My mom is Italian and didn't come to America until she was 19 or so for college, and basically thinks we're all a bunch of nutbags when it comes to pregnancy stuff.

[iheartvino]

Dec 6, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I think Americans in general are alarmists and also extremists. It's safer to tell us just to lay off completely than have a mess of babies with FAS because people don't know the meaning of moderation.

This. And, it isn't like they are ever going to be able to do a scientific study on pregnant woman to see how alcohol would affect their fetus.

All I know is that there is going to be apple pie moonshine at my work holiday potluck tomorrow, and I am really tempted to try it.

[imoan]

I think I'm going to be enjoying a glass of Relax Riesling this Sunday.

[iamgrace]

Dec 6, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I think Americans in general are alarmists and also extremists. It's safer to tell us just to lay off completely than have a mess of babies with FAS because people don't know the meaning of moderation.

i also completely agree with this.

[wkatie]

Dec 6, 2012 13:49:59 GMT -5 iamgrace said:

Dec 6, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I think Americans in general are alarmists and also extremists. It's safer to tell us just to lay off completely than have a mess of babies with FAS because people don't know the meaning of moderation.

i also completely agree with this.

Me too. Further, I think it's probably the right answer/message given the problem with moderation mentioned.

Liubot (sp?), I'm sorry about your friend. That's really sad.

[mandapanda18]

I have a step sister who drank "virgin" margaritas, well that is what she told anyone who was asking, but that b had tequila in them, I could smell it. My nephew has the small upper lip (sign of alcohol use in pg), his legs are odd, like touching at the top down to his knees and then they shoot out words so they don't touch at the bottom... it is really hard to explain, but he is nearly 13 and has not grown out of it. He also has severe allergies, needs glasses (like legally blind without them) and has some learning issues.

I'm not talking like she drank one Margarita, like she made the pitcher and downed it to herself every night. I told her husband and he didn't seem concerned, now she has 3 more... each has their own unique disabilities.... but no one else in her family has any of the issues her kids have.