drinking alcohol while pregnant

Having lived in France, however, for a couple of years, I'm a firm believer in 'everything in moderation' and it's suited me well.

What I find a bit strange about Americans is that they look on ANY alcohol in pregnancy as one would a demon, but happily consume loads of Diet Coke, Splenda, aspartame, etc. - stuff so loaded w/chemicals and E's I wouldn't let my kids touch it w/a ten foot barge pole.

totally agree. a glass or two of red wine is not going to harm anyone. if it helps the mum to relax, it's probably a good thing. but sucking down mass quantities of caffeine, sugar, salt, and chemicals [typical american diet] will.

With Alix, I had the occasional G & T or half of Guinness. When I was pregnant with Dom, I couldn't stand the smell. I smoke and quit both times I found I was pregnant..

The thing I don't understand is why I couldn't just stop smoking full-stop. I started smoking again hard-core after I had my son. I suffered from PND after both births and thought this had something to do with it. Maybe I smoked to alleviate the stress I felt? I don't know. I've only smoked for about five years. I'm just very disappointed in myself that I've started back.

Apart from smoking, I'd say everything in moderation and check the labels on the foods you buy.

I had 2 babies here in the UK, the youngest being 2 1/2 now. I researched avidly during both pregnancies, and felt comfortable with the odd glass of wine after the first trimester, which was believed to be the time when the fetus is most susceptible to FAS. I have, in the last year or so, read more up to date studies (not just opinions) that any alcohol during pregnancy can be harmful. Americans tend to go overboard on the do's and don'ts list, or at least i felt that way when i was pregnant, but they are often later validated and accepted in other countries.  so, don't take someone else's word or advice. Read on the net and make your own decision.

My UK doctor was very laid back,  except for the obvious no no's, but always said, 'it's only nine months. it's probably okay to do lots of things after the 1st trimester, but with alcohol and caffeine, we know that the fetus isn't getting any good out of it, so it's good to avoid as much as you can'

Pregnant or not 6 cans of lager a night = drink problem

Oh, I think so too.  She comes drunk to the playground.  We really do not speak anymore, she thinks I am too "conservative".

Theres a girl down the road from me, I think shes about 18. While she was pregnant she drank alcohal and smoked cigs/pot every day. I bumped into her in town when she was almost due and she says "I'm on my way to the pub"
She'd also smoke pot everyday as well. her excuse was always "It chills the baby out".
She made me soooooooooooooooo mad. 

Theres a girl down the road from me, I think shes about 18. While she was pregnant she drank alcohal and smoked cigs/pot every day. I bumped into her in town when she was almost due and she says "I'm on my way to the pub"
She'd also smoke pot everyday as well. her excuse was always "It chills the baby out".
She made me soooooooooooooooo mad. 

Wow, what a class act! 

I switched on the TV the other day and there was one of those funniest home video type shows on and it was in the middle of a segment where people had filmed their toddlers drinking from their parent's beer/wine/spirits. I couldn't believe they thought it was funny  I was disgusted!

Theres a girl down the road from me, I think shes about 18. While she was pregnant she drank alcohal and smoked cigs/pot every day. I bumped into her in town when she was almost due and she says "I'm on my way to the pub"
She'd also smoke pot everyday as well. her excuse was always "It chills the baby out".
She made me soooooooooooooooo mad. 

Yikes, that is terrible.

I switched on the TV the other day and there was one of those funniest home video type shows on and it was in the middle of a segment where people had filmed their toddlers drinking from their parent's beer/wine/spirits. I couldn't believe they thought it was funny  I was disgusted!

I know! IT ISNT funny at all! Its disgusting!
I hate those shows in general people laughing at someone that has just fallen off a roof or whatever. How can one laugh at someone elses accident?

I had three drinks durning my first pregnancy, and one with my second.  With my first I still had an occasional hankering for a drink, but just didn't feel right about drinking until the very bitter end.  We went out to dinner one night and I had a beer.  And it was magic!  Best thing I've ever drank.  So good in fact, that I had another one.  Slept like a dream that night!  That was 3 weeks before she was born.  My sister in the states thought I was very brave for drinking in public while preggo, but no one looked sideways at me. With my son, had no desire, never sounded good at all.  Just toasted in the new year with a tiny glass of bubbly. 

I've not had a drink since I found out I was pregnant.  I'm petrified about the drinks I had before I knew - a glass or 2 with dinner every night!  I was probably pregnant about 10 days or so before I found out....  I hope I haven't done any damage...  I've been doing no coffee, no chemicals (sodas, etc...), no alcohol and eating as healthy as I can ever since....

I switched on the TV the other day and there was one of those funniest home video type shows on and it was in the middle of a segment where people had filmed their toddlers drinking from their parent's beer/wine/spirits. I couldn't believe they thought it was funny I was disgusted!

Dagmar once got a hold of a bottle of beer and took a drink.  I thought it was funny...her pediatrician did too.

But then, that was the *only* time.  I think the problem with people filming it is, you get the impression they do it all the time.  One of my friends when I was a kid was always drinking his Dad's beer.  My parents were horrified, even though I was allowed a little wine mixed with soda at Christmas.

So I think it's a matter of how often, personally.

I hope I haven't done any damage...  I've been doing no coffee, no chemicals (sodas, etc...), no alcohol and eating as healthy as I can ever since....

VERY unlikely.  Most of us were much, much further along when we realised we were pregnant and have drunk alcohol - even gotten drunk.  No harm done.  My sister has PCOS and always had irregular periods.  She went to Mexico on holiday and partied down w/her husband, not realising she was pregnant (she didn't even know until she was 4 months along!).  Her elder daughter's a total brainiac and a gifted athlete.

I was always jealous of her b/c pregnancy seems to last forever as it is.

Dagmar once got a hold of a bottle of beer and took a drink.  I thought it was funny...her pediatrician did too.

But then, that was the *only* time.  I think the problem with people filming it is, you get the impression they do it all the time.  One of my friends when I was a kid was always drinking his Dad's beer.  My parents were horrified, even though I was allowed a little wine mixed with soda at Christmas.

So I think it's a matter of how often, personally.

It's a bit different if they get hold of it unintentionally but in these clips I saw they were handing the glass or bottle to the kid!

I had gone caffeine free long before I got pregnant.  My midwife here in the states sent me to a nutrition class and the lady said that the current studies showed that upto 10 servings of artificial sweetener a day was okay.  I really don't like the taste of it, but I didn't give up my caffeine free diet coke.  Also, towards the end of the pregnancy, DH kept giving me beer.  He said it would keep my blood pressure down.  I was upto half a beer a few time a week at the end.  He also suggested the pint of Gunnies as I had low iron towards the end, but I opted for more spinache and half a pill.  They do brainwash you into thinking that all alcohol is bad in the US, don't they.