Question; a little paranoid

[cfc09]

..and I should be.
I have looked up on different websites what I am about to ask you all here, and what I had read on previous sites was somewhat harsh and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions.. but I'll start off saying I am aware of consequences.. I just want some other pregnant women's opinions on this.
The night before last, my husband brought some Bud Light home. I'm 22 weeks pregnant and as of our last ultrasound, me and baby are both very healthy. I had an aunt who said 1 wine or beer occasionally would be okay. I didn't drink a whole bottle, but a little over half. I didn't get drunk off of it, but afterward I felt so guilty freaking out over what if I had just caused my baby to develop FAS. Do you think I really screwed up, or will it be okay? I hadn't drank in a very long time, and honestly don't know why I made that decision, even if it was not much.

[Forthwith]

Your baby will be fine. Here's a round-up of some research into alcohol during pregnancy. Half a beer at 22 weeks poses no risk at all to your baby.

It's okay.

[Beating Earth]

Don't feel guilty. I'm only a bit further along than you are and about a month ago hubby bought me a bottle of Arbor Mist as a treat. I had half a glass a night until it was gone. I think both of us and our babies will be just fine.

[cfc09]

Thank you both, it really helps put my mind at ease

[jeliphish]

Totally fine!

[Mirrormonkey]

I wouldn't worry, I have enjoyed half a beer here and there during my pregnancy. I figure if I am craving it so badly there must be something in it that my body needs. I am not normally a beer drinker either!

[craft_media_hero]

Aww, please don't guilt yourself and feel bad over this. You sound really worried!

A half a beer or small glass of wine here and there throughout your pregnancy will not make your baby develop FAS. Just one more voice here to reassure you; I would do the same as previous mamas have said, a half a drink at a time poses no risk in my mind.

[bjorker]

I wholeheartedly agree, totally fine!

In many cultures it's considered perfectly acceptable to have a small drink with dinner while pg, and they're all fine. Especially after the first tri. Assuming you're from the U.S. as well... for some reason, our culture is extra crazy about being overly cautious. A little bit of beer is fine. I'm pretty darn sure of it.

[Lauren31]

Maybe it's because I am in Germany but the only thing I find fault in that you did is that you drank a BUD LIGHT! : At least go for something good and tasty if you are having it. In Italy they tell women to cut down to 1 glass of wine. The slight amount of alcohol in half of a beer (a bud light at that) is not not bad at all. It's not like you drank half a fifth of vodka.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

Maybe it's because I am in Germany but the only thing I find fault in that you did is that you drank a BUD LIGHT! : At least go for something good and tasty if you are having it.

That's where I agree!

If I'm going to drink beer during pregnancy (which I do occasionally) I make sure it's a GOOD one! And if I'm going to have wine, I'll go to my sister's house because she buys the expensive stuff, lol.

[staceychev]

Here's what I've come to believe: Americans are, generally, stupid. Or maybe just 'black and white.' Whatever the case, we as a culture seem to need hard and fast rules to follow. We don't do well with gray area. (Or, maybe, THEY think we don't do well with gray area.)

I didn't drink at all with DD1, but watched my sister and cousins all drink very moderately (a half beer or glass of wine, now and then, with a meal) and have their kids turn out fine. And so, during this pregnancy, I haven't denied myself. Don't beat yourself up about it.

(My theory is this: if you really couldn't drink wine and eat raw cheese during pregnancy, there wouldn't be any French people left. Ditto for sushi and the Japanese! )

[PAgreenmama]

i agree with what everyone else said and i also just wanted to point out that FAS is actually quite rare.... you really have to be doing a lot of drinking! i was just looking at a stat sheet of all the hospitals in my state and i was surprised to see that almost all the hospitals had 0-1 cases of FAS and i don't think any had more than 4 cases... even those that had a very high number of cases of babies born exposed to drugs prenatally. so relax!!

[mamakims]

You're totally fine, momma! I drink a half glass here and there occasionally throughout my pregnancies (don't know why as I don't really dno't like alcohol except for when I'm pregnant!) and my m/w is fine with it.

I posted a reply to a woman who basically had teh same worry as you on a baby centered website that shall go nameless last pregnancy and I was shocked by the comments! Some were downright cruel because I and a few others said it wasn't a big deal to have a half glass here and there. Another reason why I *heart* MDC!

[bjorker]

Originally Posted by PAgreenmama

i agree with what everyone else said and i also just wanted to point out that FAS is actually quite rare.... you really have to be doing a lot of drinking! i was just looking at a stat sheet of all the hospitals in my state and i was surprised to see that almost all the hospitals had 0-1 cases of FAS and i don't think any had more than 4 cases... even those that had a very high number of cases of babies born exposed to drugs prenatally. so relax!!

I've watched a few clips from the show "I didn't know I was pregnant" or whatever it's called, where the mothers-to-be have no idea they are pregnant until in labor or when giving birth. Don't ask me how that happens! Anyway, in both clips I saw, both women had been drinking pretty heavily throughout the pregnancy (and I think both smoked too!), and both babies were completely fine. Not a risk one would ever want to knowingly take, but still that says a lot.