drinking alcohol while pregnant

Well I guess the thing is there are babies whose mothers drank "too much" in pregnancy who have been born with various problems as a result.  On the other hand I have not heard of any babies being born with problems caused by their mother not drinking any alcohol at all.  So I guess if you want to be on the safe side you would say no alcohol. Also I think in the US doctors probably err on the side of caution because there is a greater chance of litigation if soemthing that goes wrong can be put down to the drinking - the UK is generally less litigious.

thanks so much for all the input here.  Im in no way judging my friends for anything any of them do, I was mostly curious about others experiences.  And I agree with the everything in moderation, in general.  I really enjoy reading all of your posts!

Last pregnancy, I was so sick the whole time that the thought of drinking any alcohol turned my stomach.  That, and we were a little more worried about things, being the first pregnancy and all.  This time, I'll take a sip of my husband's drink every now and again and that seems to satisfy any craving that I have.

I agree that the medical community seems to be stricter about alcohol during pregnancy in the US.  My first prenatal appointment in the US, I was asked if I'd stopped drinking alcohol.  My first appointment here in the UK, I was asked if I had cut back on drinking alcohol.  I think having had my first pregnancy in the US makes me more leery about drinking during pregnancy, even though there is a more relaxed attitude here in the UK.

Side story:  My husband had a friend in the US who gave up drinking along with his wife for the whole of her pregnancy.  He tried to do the same when I became pregnant, but I don't think he made it past a couple of weeks.  Valiant effort!

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Side story:  My husband had a friend in the US who gave up drinking along with his wife for the whole of her pregnancy.  He tried to do the same when I became pregnant, but I don't think he made it past a couple of weeks.  Valiant effort!

My husband tried to do the same with smoking since I was quitting while pregnant. He didn't last a day,but I atleast got him to smoke outside,lol

My husband tried to do the same with smoking since I was quitting while pregnant. He didn't last a day,but I atleast got him to smoke outside,lol

Well done for taking it outside, tho!  My husband also goes outside.  In fact, the building brought in the ban early - he has to go down two flights of stairs and completely out to have a fab.  Needless to say, he's cut down.