A lot of women think that drinking wine during pregnancy is harmless because it is a relatively harmless beverage. Typically, wine contains 10-15 percent alcohol by volume, which is quite less, when compared to spirits like whisky, rum, tequila and vodka (40 percent ABV and above). This, in addition to belief in other health benefits of wine, might lead pregnant women to reach out for a glass of wine every now and then. But after reading this article, you might want to put that wine glass back in the cabinet and lock it for good.
When you’re pregnant your body is doing superhuman things. It’s creating a new life within you and all of this can be quite exhausting for your body. Women go through a lot of hormonal changes when they are pregnant. Add to the anxiety of being a parent soon- a full-time job that one has to perform for the rest of their life.
Pregnancy is a journey full of ups and downs and every woman experiences it differently. Women are also expected to cruise through this rollercoaster ride with a smile on their face, much to their irritation. So, when you are feeling burned out, fed up or anxious, sitting with your feet up and unwinding over a glass of wine might seem like a great option, but is it really?
Yes, wine (especially red wine) does have a lot of health benefits when consumed in moderation and there are several reports to back this claim. Moderate consumption of wine is said to improve heart and gut health. But the benefits are inconsequential when you compare them to the damage that alcohol can do during pregnancy.
What happens when you drink wine during pregnancy?
Most medical organizations across countries strictly advise avoiding drinking wine or any other form of alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in a child, causing physical, mental and emotional developmental issues. It can also lead to other problems like high blood pressure in expecting moms, low birth weight of your baby and preterm birth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States’ national public health agency, there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or even when you are trying to get pregnant. This means that despite a lower level of alcohol by volume as compared to other alcoholic beverages, it is unsafe to drink wine during pregnancy.
In fact, you should refrain from drinking wine or any other type of alcohol even if you think you are pregnant or you’re trying to get pregnant. According to a recent analysis, compared with women who didn’t drink alcohol, those who drank more than seven drinks weekly were seven percent less likely to conceive after fertility treatment.
We get it, pregnancy can be a challenging experience, but there are many healthier ways to overcome the challenges you might be facing. In this one case, we urge you to not raise your glass.
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