Is it okay to drink wine when pregnant?

The list of drinks prohibited during pregnancy includes alcohol. However, the opinions of medical representatives regarding the consumption of wine during pregnancy differ. Some doctors claim that wine during pregnancy is a dangerous, almost poisonous substance, while other doctors are inclined to believe that small doses of good wine are a medicine.

Data from foreign experiments also speak in favor of an alcoholic drink helping women get pregnant. Researchers from Britain have published facts about the beneficial effect of wine on the intrauterine development of the baby.

The pregnant women themselves were divided into those who cannot even hear about an alcoholic drink and those who cannot resist the desire to take a couple of sips of wine.

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Is it possible to drink wine during pregnancy?

What to do with the idea of fetal alcohol syndrome? If this opinion is deeply rooted in your brain, then drinking wine during pregnancy and then being tormented by doubts is clearly not worth it. If the expectant mother does not have any worries, then a sip of quality wine may come in handy.

A pregnant woman should give preference to high-quality, expensive varieties of dry red wine or Cahors. Small doses (a spoon) raise the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which is not uncommon when carrying a baby. For some expectant mothers, wine helps to cope with toxicosis and stimulate appetite.

To the question "can you drink wine during pregnancy?" there are two completely opposite answers. When choosing a positive answer, you should remember that in case of a burning desire to taste the drink, a pregnant woman can only take a sip.

English researchers observed children whose mothers allowed themselves a small amount of wine during pregnancy. As a result, such children were ahead in their development (they were more sociable, knew more numbers, letters, colors) of their peers whose mothers completely abstained from alcohol during pregnancy. According to English scientists, a pregnant woman can have up to six glasses of wine or liqueur, as well as up to three liters of beer per week. Pregnant women who consumed large amounts of alcohol gave birth to babies with a number of abnormalities.

Similar experiments have not been conducted in our country, and no one can say how wine will affect each specific baby. Doctors warn that drinking alcohol is prohibited at the beginning of pregnancy (up to seventeen weeks).

Is a glass of wine harmful during pregnancy?

Why are opinions so divided about wine during pregnancy? On the one hand, British scientists are in favor of it and the drink's ability to increase hemoglobin, while on the other hand, it has a detrimental effect on the developing fetus. Our lifestyle, full of feasts and festive celebrations, brings up in us a certain need to consume alcohol. No corporate party at work or birthday party with the family can do without alcohol. Naturally, it is difficult for a pregnant woman to give up alcohol if she does not want to advertise her pregnancy or has a bad habit.

"Will a glass of wine harm pregnancy or not?" is a difficult question. Studies by foreign doctors, talking about the benefits of wine and the permissible amount of up to six glasses per week, raise doubts in some. As they say, what is good for a Russian is death for a German and vice versa. Domestic medical studies on the effect of wine on fetal development and the course of pregnancy have not been conducted, so it is impossible to state unequivocally about the benefits/harms of wine.

Medical practice shows that alcohol can harm a child, both at the beginning of intrauterine development and at the end of pregnancy.

What is meant by moderate alcohol consumption and what does a safe glass of wine mean during pregnancy? Let's start with the fact that a wine glass is a fairly large container. If we talk about safety, then we should delve into the concept of a portion of wine and the frequency of consumption.

So, a serving of alcohol is a volume containing no more than 10 ml of ethyl alcohol. Any bottle has an indication of the percentage of alcohol included. Wine usually contains 12%. In a volume of 125 ml/150 ml, there is more than one serving (1.52) of alcohol. At the same time, doctors allow expectant mothers to drink one or two servings of alcohol no more than twice a week. It should also be taken into account that at home it is easy to increase the permissible norm, and in restaurants wine is poured into glasses that sometimes contain three servings of alcohol.

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Dry wine

Not only the alcohol contained in wine has a negative effect on the fetus, but also its processed products in the mother's body. Alcohol causes spasms in the vessels of the placenta or umbilical cord, causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

If a pregnant woman is drawn to wine, this may be due to a lack of B vitamins. If you have an unbearable desire to drink, you can sip dry red wine during pregnancy. Just do not drink for any reason during all nine months. Alcohol abuse is fraught with miscarriage, developmental defects and all sorts of vices. Moreover, alcoholic beverages negatively affect the genetic cellular structure of the embryo, changing the structure of DNA, thereby causing the appearance of congenital deformities. Uncontrolled consumption of wine during pregnancy affects the functioning of the central nervous system, leading to violations of the intellectual level and behavioral characteristics.

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Non-alcoholic wine

A good alternative for a pregnant woman can be non-alcoholic wine. The alcohol content in this product is no more than 0.5% (like kefir). The wine goes through all stages of production, and before bottling, ethyl alcohol is removed from it. This is done in a special container using a vacuum.

Wine retains all trace elements, vitamins, enzymes and organic acids. Non-alcoholic wine during pregnancy and not only is considered a dietary, medicinal drink. This type of wine is indicated in cases of:

• gastrointestinal diseases caused by low acidity (for example, chronic gastritis);
• states of asthenia (chronic fatigue);
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• hypertension.

Wine without alcohol has a tonic effect and improves appetite. When consumed, cholesterol does not oxidize, which prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Non-alcoholic wine helps to digest meat proteins, but contains two to three times fewer calories.

You should drink non-alcoholic wine during pregnancy with caution:

• the composition may include harmful substances and chemicals that poison your body and the baby;
• Allergic reactions may develop due to sulfur or mold present in the wine. The grape variety or the method of pest control may also cause unpleasant consequences;
• has a shorter aging period than wine containing alcohol;
• has a high cost, which makes it not always available and leads to the emergence of many unsafe fakes.

In any case, it is recommended to drink low-alcohol wine in moderation, no more than a glass a week, and only if you are confident in the quality of the product.

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White wine

White wines are obtained from white, red and pink grape varieties by separating the skin from the pulp. Antioxidants in white wines are better absorbed due to their lower content than in red varieties. White light varieties have a beneficial effect on the lungs and heart muscle, and are indicated for anemia.

Drinking white wine during pregnancy is not considered the best option compared to red wine. However, red wine causes vasodilation, causing dizziness and general weakness.

Everything is individual, so if you want to sip wine during pregnancy, you should give preference to a non-alcoholic product of the highest and preferably proven quality.

Red wine

It is interesting that in the pre-Soviet period a little red dry wine was prescribed as part of a diet during pregnancy. Dry red varieties have a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis and remove toxic substances from the body. High-quality red wine contains useful minerals, vitamins B and P, which reduce the risk of blood clots.

Cahors or red wine is allowed to be drunk during pregnancy after the seventeenth week if:

• it is of high quality, without any added sugar, quinine, artificial additives, colorings, etc.;
• its portion is no more than 100 ml.

In cases where it is necessary to solve the problem of low hemoglobin, you can resort to the help of red wine, rich in potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, and biologically active substances. But it is possible to increase hemoglobin with other non-alcoholic products: beef, liver, parsley, buckwheat, bananas, pomegranate juice, rose hips. The listed types of food are indicated in the treatment and prevention of anemia.

Whether or not to allow yourself wine during pregnancy is a conscious choice of the woman herself, relying on common sense and personal feelings.

Dry red wine

Drinking dry red wine during pregnancy has become not only possible, but also beneficial. A new look at alcohol is due to the ability of red wine to increase hemoglobin, relieve toxicosis and improve appetite.

A number of researchers claim that red wines have a beneficial effect on heart function and help with insomnia. Of course, it is acceptable to drink a spoonful of an alcoholic beverage or a small amount of non-alcoholic wine (no more than 100 ml).

We should not forget about the harm of alcohol in the first 17 weeks of intrauterine development. A sense of proportion and awareness of responsibility for the physical and mental development of the future child should play a decisive role in the question of "to drink wine during pregnancy or not to drink?"

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Homemade wine

Homemade wine is a low-alcohol and healing product. This drink has a number of advantages:

• absence of chemicals and harmful impurities (especially if made from home-grown fruits, berries, etc.);
• the manufacturing process and storage conditions are controlled directly by you;
• It is possible to use extracts of medicinal plants and herbs.

Homemade wine during pregnancy can be drunk in small quantities, if you really want it (when you are "drooling"). It lowers blood pressure, helps strengthen bones, normalizes sleep, and contains vitamins and microelements. The expectant mother should remember the safe norm - no more than 100 ml.

Wine in early pregnancy

Alcohol contains toxins that easily penetrate the placenta into the fetus's tissues. Alcohol can have a negative impact on the formation of the baby's organs, the growth and development of the brain. The harmful effects of alcohol are associated with congenital facial anomalies, learning disabilities, and problems with motor coordination.

Wine is especially dangerous in early pregnancy, when the baby's organs are quite vulnerable. Alcohol is absorbed into the tissues of the unborn child's organs, leading to fetal alcohol syndrome with regular alcohol consumption during planning, conception and gestation. Such children often have physical and mental retardation, problems with concentration, and neurological problems.

Obstetricians and gynecologists advise drinking wine during pregnancy no earlier than the 17th week of the term. And you can do this, in extreme cases, if you really want to. You should not follow a habit or public opinion without thinking about the consequences.

Whether or not to drink wine during pregnancy is up to the pregnant woman herself, relying on medical recommendations and individual tastes. If there is an alarming thought about the possibility of harming the baby, it is better not to take risks and completely abstain from alcohol consumption for the entire period of pregnancy.