The nurse, the mum and the drinking during your pregnancy debate

When it comes to pregnancy, we have medical professionals saying one thing, friends saying another and family members dividing you right down the centre in terms of what you can and can’t do.

 

And while it is important we listen to what our doctors and GPs advise, a bit of mothering common sense certainly goes a long way.

 

Last weekend, while out for lunch with the girls, one of my friends happily announced that she was expecting her first child.

 

And, after a lot of screaming - a lot! - the topic turned to the debate of drinking during your pregnancy. Not much of a drinker, my friend was more curious than anything to know the info.

 

Anyway, being the only mum at the table, I decided that I had more experience and that no, not a drop should pass her lips.

 

However, another one of my friends, a nurse, suggested that one or two glasses occasionally would be fine - that certainly made me shut my mouth!

 

After doing a little research on the topic, I found that, in fact, while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK advises women to avoid alcohol altogether, they do say that if you do decide to drink to limit it to no more than one or two units once or twice a week and not to get drunk.

 

Coincidentally, while we were sitting there discussing this, it emerged that RTÉ presenter Maia Dunphy was still having the odd glass throughout her pregnancy. Upon reading the many comments on MummyPages' Facebook feed, it was clear just how much of a personal choice it is, with some mums choosing to drink and others choosing to abstain.

 

At the end of the day, whether you are against drinking during pregnancy or you don’t think the odd sip every now and then is horrific, it is important we remember that it is up to the mother to make an informed decision about what she puts into her body.

 

Judgemental comments or stares don't do anyone any favours. 

 

Mary Byrne is a staff writer at MummyPages and mum to a horse-crazy, sports-mad, seven-year-old girl.