Pregnancy
I Embraced Light Drinking While Pregnant And I Have Zero Regrets
Pounding a glass of cab with a beach ball under my shirt has become my idea of a fun Friday night. I also have to admit that I roll my eyes big time when I see the dreaded Facebook post from a new mommy-to-be that goes a little something like this:
Out with the hubs at Rockbottom Brewery. Don’t worry – nothing to drink for me! Sparkling water, a pepperoni pizza, and my baby bump. Does it get any better than this? #love #baby #fridaynight
I would have to argue that it does. If you were writing that “sanctimommious” Facebook post with a brewski in hand, then maybe, just maybe, I would believe that you were deliriously happy watching your “hubs” down a few beers as you were bestowed the glorious honor of being his designated driver for 10 months in a row.
I have always been a rule follower, which may make it hard to believe that I set a few controversial rules for myself during both of my pregnancies. I have always felt turned off by total mommy martyrdom during pregnancy – where you can’t have a single taboo food or drink for 10 long months.
I did a little bit of research and decided to set my own rules for pregnancy:
- Two glasses of wine every week.
- Two cups of coffee a day.
- Rinse and repeat.
I personally feel that pregnancy is hard and long enough without total, desert-island style deprivation. I’ve also read enough mommy forums and boards to know that this is hardly a popular opinion.
Consider this interesting perspective from a recent BabyCenter article highlighting a new study that says one drink a day may be perfectly okay for your little bundle of joy. (You read that right – one drink a day. Yippee!)
One commenter said:
Sorry, but someone that drinks alcohol every single day of their lives and can not go without, is an alcoholic.
To which another commenter replied:
A person that has a glass of wine everyday is an alcoholic?!!! I grew up in Italy and most adults have a glass of wine with their lunch and dinner. According to you, half of the country has a serious alcohol problem… How ignorant of you!
I happen to agree wholeheartedly with commenter #2. (I also added in my two cents in the next comment.) Even though this topic sparked a full-blown to-drink-or-not-to-drink debate, I was glad to see even more research coming out about how pregnancy and drinking can mix.
