The mothers' perspective
Updated on 25 May 2007
We look at what mums and mums-to-be make of the idea of abstinence when pregnant.
The government used to say one or two units a week was fine. Today its official advice changed - don't touch a drop of the hard stuff while pregnant or trying to conceive.
While critics of today's warning accept that the detrimental effects binge drinking have been proven, they point out that the impact of moderate consumption remains unknown.
Opinions on the parenting site mumsnet.com were mixed. But the most striking thing about most of the posts was the sense of guilt felt by women who had drunk while pregnant - even though their babies were born without any abnormalities.
Many were indignant. LieselVentouse was scathing of the advice: "Its the "you-dont-say" brigade again. Lots of money spent on something that we kinda knew already."
While BrummieOnTheRun was angered: "I find it really patronising. RCOG [Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists] are still saying there's no evidence low levels of alcohol in pregnancy is harmful. The reason the govt are advising no alcohol is because it might not be 'clear' what low levels are. Do they assume women are complete idiots?"
'A small glass from time to time is utterly utterly beneficial to mum and therefore whole family.'Tutter on mumsnet.com
Others looked took the advice with a pinch of salt.
Calpolicella advises: "You may find, though, that alcohol affects you differently when pregnant - it goes to my head much quicker and takes longer to clear I need less to get the same effects! Basically, all things in moderation, and a little of what you fancy can't do any harm."
Tutter agrees: "My own opinion is that a small glass from time to time is utterly, utterly beneficial to mum and therefore whole family."
Soph73 agrees: "As long as you don't go out and get totally blottoed I don't see there's anything wrong in the odd glass of wine."
"However, I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would consider me completely irresponsible!"
'Can't drink in public - always paranoid somebody will think I'm awful and have a go at me!'PregnantGrrrl on mumsnet.com
PregnantGrrrl says: "Can't drink in public - always paranoid somebody will think I'm awful and have a go at me!"
And as another guilt ridden mother confides: "I must admit I drank a couple of glasses of wine a week with my last pregnancy ... I'll admit I was a bit down and really looked forward to it as a treat."
But she says that, although her baby was born perfectly healthy, "I feel disgusted with myself for being irresponsible and think that I should have just done without it altogether. I'd never judge anyone for drinking on occasion in pregnancy, but im ashamed of myself for doing it now."
'Parenthood is guiltridden enough without beating oneself up about the odd glass of vino!'Glittercaz on mumsnet.com
Many recognised this guilt. Plummymummy points out that: "The strange thing about pregnancy, though, is it tends to make one feel guilty and neurotic about everything and if you're the sort of person who starts imagining inflicting Fetal Alcohol Syndrome on your unborn baby when you have a small glass of wine, then probably not worth the brief pleasure you derive from drinking."
But Glittercaz felt that it was the guilt, not the drink, that should be given the elbow: "If you're happy and de-stressed because you're enjoying a small glass of wine, you're probably doing yourself (and baby) a favour, if anything!
"If you look at our mother's generation (no restrictions on drinking in pregnancy but no real binge drinking culture) or countries like France where they see nothing wrong with a glass of good wine/champagne per day when pregnant, you don't see resulting hordes of 'damaged' children!
"I do think the 'no alcohol' advice taking more into account teenagers who are more likely to go out and wasted and need a categorical guideline, tbh.
"Sorry to bang on, I just think that pregnancy is worrying enough and parenthood is guiltridden enough without beating oneself up about the odd glass of vino!"
Hayes points out that this is the advice many midwives give too: "I think if you speak to the midwife she will say that the odd glass won't do any harm but just don't go on a binge! My midwife told me this anyway."
ThenThereWasThree also speaks of midwife advice which conflicts with the new government line: "I drank a small glass of Guiness quite regularly. Didnt even like it but as I am veggie the midwife advised me to - for iron. Would have preferred white wine!!"
