Have you ever seen someone drinking wine while pregnant? While it may seem like common sense to some people, the good habit of not drinking during pregnancy isn’t as widespread as it should be. There are certain myths about alcohol and pregnancy that are more popular than the truth.
Drinking alcohol is not safe during pregnancy, no matter what wine moms and wine culture say. Substances you drink and eat can pass through the blood to the umbilical cord, and these can limit a baby’s healthy development. It could also cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Unlike other disorders that are birth-related, FASD can be hard to track because it typically goes undiagnosed. If you or someone you know can’t put down that wineglass, consider calling Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392 or contacting our team online.
Can You Have Wine While Pregnant?
Wine moms will say that you can drink wine or even beer during pregnancy, especially if you’re in the third trimester. Please don’t listen to them.
Even the tiniest amount of alcohol ingested can put your baby at risk, regardless of the stage of your pregnancy when you drink. A baby’s brain and nervous system are developing throughout the duration of a pregnancy. Beer, wine, and other forms of alcohol are equally dangerous, as they can all contribute to the development of FASD.
People born with FASD often have lifelong health issues, including problems that will affect behavioral, physical, and learning abilities. A mother who keeps drinking during pregnancy could have a child with physical deformities, poor memory, or vision or hearing problems.
What Are Other Common Myths About Alcohol and Pregnancy?
Drinking wine while pregnant is not recommended, but what about drinking while trying to get pregnant? Don’t get sucked into wine culture. The latter is still not a good idea. When someone is trying to get pregnant, it can take up to a month and a half before she realizes that she’s successful. In those six weeks, the baby could be rapidly growing and developing in her and can be harmed by alcohol intake.
Some people say that the effect of drinking wine while pregnant will disappear as the child grows older. While this may comfort some wine moms, it’s definitely not true. What happens during the time your child develops in you during pregnancy cannot be undone. When you drink while pregnant, you increase the chances of your child having brain damage or a low IQ. The child may also have problems with learning and behavior or having abnormal facial features.
If a mother drinks during pregnancy or drank without realizing she was pregnant, it’s never too late to stop doing so. The earlier the mother stops drinking, the better it is for her baby.
Do You Have a Wine Addiction?
A person can’t have a wine addiction or a beer addiction. Whatever the person’s drink preference, it will still be called alcoholism. The trick is to figure out if it’s excessive or heavy drinking or if it’s alcohol dependency and addiction.
Having an occasional drink doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has a drinking problem. However, if they feel the need to have alcohol most nights or most weekends, that could indicate a more serious issue, even if they aren’t getting drunk each time.
Low-risk drinking is characterized by no more than three drinks a day with no more than 7 drinks per week for women. However, low-risk does not mean there’s no risk of alcohol use causing problems. About one out of four people going over these limits will already have an alcohol use disorder. If you’re having wine while pregnant, that could also be a sign, as most mothers will prioritize their child’s health over their wine cravings.
If you think you may already have an alcohol addiction, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you ever felt like you should cut down on your drinking?
- Do people annoy you by noticing and criticizing your drinking habits?
- Have you ever felt guilty or bad about your drinking habits?
- Have you ever made yourself a drink first thing in the morning to get rid of a hangover or to steady your nerves?
If you respond positively to two of the questions above, that could be a signal that your alcohol use needs further assessment. You could have a problem with drinking.
Learn About Midwest Detox Center’s Programs and Services
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, you’re not alone. Call Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392 or contact our team online to find out more about our programs and services.
