Yes, you can drink wine while pregnant — in moderation. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), consuming one glass of wine per week during pregnancy is safe for most women. The key word here is “most.” Everyone has different limits and risk factors that need to be taken into account before making a final decision on whether or not it’s safe to drink wine while pregnant. If you are unsure of your drinking habits and risks, talk to your doctor first to get their advice on wine and pregnancy. But if you know you’re in the clear, read on to learn more about drinking wine while pregnant and the possible positive effects it may have on your baby.
What’s the deal with drinking wine while pregnant?
While a glass of wine now and again is fine, it’s important to remember that there is no proven safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. If you decide to drink while pregnant, make sure to follow the ACOG guidelines, which say to avoid binge drinking, limit your alcohol intake to one drink per week, and don’t drink alcohol if you are breastfeeding. Some people think that red wine is healthier than other types of alcohol, but the research suggests that all alcohol has the same negative effects. However, drinking small amounts of alcohol during your pregnancy can be good for your baby in a few ways! Visible growth spurts happen in the first trimester for most babies, and it’s during this time when the baby’s organs and tissues grow the fastest. Alcohol is broken down by your liver, which means that drinking a glass of wine during this time will slow down your baby’s growth. If you are drinking heavily, however, it can be damaging to the baby’s growth and development.
Can wine help you get pregnant?
Having a glass of wine before you try to conceive could increase your chances of getting pregnant. This is because wine contains antioxidants that can help to increase fertility by purifying your blood and increasing blood flow to the uterus. This can help to increase your chance of getting pregnant if you are looking to start a family, or trying to conceive. However, if you’re hoping to conceive, you should stick to a single glass. Drinking more could lead to a reduced chance of getting pregnant. If you’re still trying to get pregnant and you’ve been drinking occasionally all along, don’t stop just yet. But if you’re just getting into the habit of drinking, you might want to reconsider. The jury’s still out on whether or not drinking small amounts of alcohol can increase your chances of getting pregnant, so you’ll want to talk to your doctor first before making a decision.
Can wine improve your pregnancy?
Yes! We already talked about how antioxidants in wine can improve your chances of getting pregnant — but there are other ways in which wine can improve your pregnancy. Red wine can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, which are both common complications of pregnancy. It can also help to prevent blood clots from forming, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. If you’re expecting, you may be wondering if wine can help to prevent your baby from getting fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause a wide range of birth defects, including developmental delays, physical deformities, and intellectual disabilities. While there is no silver bullet that will prevent fetal alcohol syndrome 100%, research shows that drinking a couple of glasses of red wine throughout your pregnancy can reduce the risk of your baby developing the syndrome by up to 50%.
Can wine help with Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is a common complication that many women experience in the first trimester. Although there are no known treatments that can completely rid you of all morning sickness, drinking a glass of red wine 3 times a week has been shown to reduce the severity of morning sickness. Furthermore, researchers have also discovered that drinking a small amount of alcohol before bedtime has been shown to reduce the severity of morning sickness. We aren’t exactly sure why this is, but it may have something to do with reduced blood flow to the stomach. This can help to reduce the amount of acids in your stomach, and make your nausea less severe. If you are struggling to deal with morning sickness, you should speak with your doctor before trying any treatments, including drinking wine.
Is there a downside to drinking wine while pregnant?
Yes. While it’s true that antioxidants in red wine can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, it’s also true that drinking too much alcohol can cause many complications. Being pregnant is hard enough as it is, and alcohol can make it even more difficult. Excessive alcohol intake can cause birth defects, miscarriage, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Not to mention, it can also lead to poor nutrient absorption, which can be particularly harmful during the first trimester when your baby is developing the fastest. If you’re drinking wine, then you’re likely to consume more carbs than you would if you were drinking spirits or beer, which can cause weight gain. Additionally, if you’re drinking in the first trimester, you have a higher chance of miscarrying as your baby’s organs and tissues are growing at an accelerated rate, and alcohol can slow this down. If you are suffering from morning sickness, drinking a glass of wine before bed can help to reduce its severity. However, if you drink too much, it can cause many complications.
How much is too much when you’re pregnant?
The key word here is “moderation.” You should be aiming to have a maximum of one glass of wine per week. Most experts agree that having one glass of wine per week is safe for most women, although some doctors may advise against it. If you are trying to get pregnant, or are in early pregnancy, you may want to avoid drinking wine completely. Even low levels of alcohol can affect the growth and development of a fetus. If you are trying to get pregnant, it’s best to wait to drink until after the first trimester—or stop drinking entirely if possible.
Bottom line
Wine is a delicious beverage that is packed with antioxidants, and can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke while you are pregnant. Drinking one glass per week during your pregnancy can also help to reduce the severity of morning sickness, and can even help to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome. However, you should remember to consume it in moderation, and avoid drinking if you are trying to get pregnant, or if you are in the first trimester.