Paris Travel Forum

I was wondering what the Franco or European point of view is on having a single glass of wine once or twice per week while pregnancy? My wife seems to be concerned but I dont think it would be a huge problem as long she doesn't overdo it. Thoughts?

I am quite aware of the US view on the subject, that is why I am specifically asking for the Franco/European view.

According to a recent article in France magazine, the French medical establishment agrees with us on this. If you aren't sure, don't take a chance. Let's face it, you are only pregnant for a few months. The child has to live with the consequences for his/her entire life. If your wife is already concerned, why should she stress over it? Life is too short.

Order lemon presse . . . it's like American lemonade and is fabulous.

From a European point of view: Don't drink any wine while pregnant. Or beer, brandy, champagne, whatever. Even a small glass can do damage to the child. One doctor told me if you drink before you know about your pregnancy - the first two weeks - it's not that dangerous. But from the third week on alcohol can damage the way the fetus is growing.
I've lived in France, the UK and now in Germany and always heard the same.

dutch view, dont drink any alcoholic drinks and stop or limit youre smoking to max. 5 cig. per day
hope u will have a healthy baby:-)

Italian doctors advice pregnant women to stop drinking everything alcoholic no matter the percentage, the frequency, or the amount *for the entire term*. Also, no caffeine.

I have never seen any pregnant Italian woman who orders a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the restaurant. I have never known any Italian woman who have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine now and then.

Hi,

My region Valais is the largest wine canton in Switzerland. We have a popular proverb: "Femme qui boit du vin, enfante des crétins..." could be translate by "Woman who drinks wine, gives birth to cretins...". I think the historical origin of this proverb is the delayed mental children born from women who used to drink wine (I don't know which quantity, but neurons could be damage by alcohol). But even in my region, where wine is well promoted, I never see pregnant women drink wine or other alcoholic drinks. So prevention is better than cure (in this case cure is impossible due to irreversible damage cause to the foetus).

Once the baby born, local tradition recommends to drink "Humagne white" which is the wine of "been confined", that comes owing to the fact that it contains three times more iron than the other wines.

So be patient and less thisrty... Greetings from the Swiss Vineyards ;)

Nathalie showed me the thread. Normally I don't participate on any forum, she is more chatty than I am. However, after reading your post, especially the part "My wife seems to be concerned but I dont think it would be a huge problem as long she doesn't overdo it" I have to put in my dime.

First of all, it should be your wife's decision on this matter, not you. She is the one who carries the baby, the bigger part of responsibility is hers.

Second, the word choice "I don't think it would be a huge problem" bothers me. Do you mean if it's a small problem, you would think it's worth the risk?

I would like to thank all of you for your opinions. I have read in many places and heard from many different people that their OB/GYN had actually recommended they have a glass of wine from time to time as opposed to abstaining from alcohol completely. Please do not envisage me trying to ply my pregnant wife with a glass of wine since the contrary is true. I was simply trying to gauge public sentiment on this issue. I know as a former english major that word choice is everything and I did not word the post very well.

The replies you received are not just public sentiment, they are from medical advices all over Europe. I'm glad your wife feels protective of the baby and you will not hold her down and pour wine down her throat! <laughing>

Good luck to both of you.

Charles and Nathalie

As Joshua's wife I would like to make something very clear. Not only am I protective of the baby but so is He!!! He is not trying to force or talk me into drinking a glass of wine. We were both curious about this subject he is just the one who posted the question. I myself have seen several message boards of people who live in another country saying that a glass of wine now and then is fine. Of course the American view is the opposite and we were just curious of the differences. Some of you have stated your opnion without getting personal and that I appreciate. I personally take offense at the posts questioning my husbands love for our children or me because he was curious of a cultural difference.

Being one of the preggies on VT, I have to add my Congratulations. I've definitely never heard of anyone being advised by an OB to have a glass of wine, not even every now and then - although one friend was told to have a glass of wine during early labor. (?) Maybe they figured the baby was "all cooked" by then.

Mrs Joshua,

Nobody on this thread has questioned your husband's love of your baby. Nobody on this thread has said he is trying to force you to drink. The first person who replied to your husband's question was Brad, and his reply came from living with a physician (if not from his book learning). Your husband brushed that reply off, saying he only cared about what the Europeans think. That was rather rude right off the bat, I would think.

After that, we Europeans (or ones who live in Europe) came in with our knowledge about the medical advisors from our respective countries. The medical advices are unanimous: no drinking, not just within the first trimester but also during the whole term. Not just wine, but all strong stimulants.

The only one who spoke up without citing medical advice was my spouse, Charles. He did not question your husband's motive either, he only said you are the more important parent at this moment because you are carrying the baby, and it's good that you listen to your instinct, and your husband should do the same.

Charles only questioned your husband's word choice, and your husband acknowledged that he should phrase it differently.

I was the one who joked around about pouring wine down your throat, can you read the <laughing> I added at the end of the sentence?

Mrs Joshua, we did not do anything to insult your husband, but you yourself are the only one who takes it a bit too personal here. We all care about the welfare of the unborn baby and we all applaud your concern. Isn't it a good thing? Should we just say yes to your husband's question and go our own merry way?

When you pose a question on a public forum, you need to prepare yourself for all different opinions and reactions; some of them may hurt your feeling unintentionally. If you don't want that, I suggest you pose the question to only ones who know you best and who would go along with your wish.

Nathalie

"mrs joshua" here again. I have no intention on this turning into a big back and forth thing. First, Josh did not mean his reply to the first poster as rude. He simply meant that, as stated, we know the american view very well. The first person to answer was an American. He did not mean the man's opinion didn't matter, simply that we knew that opnion already.

Also, I stated in my post that I appreciate the comments that did not get personal even though they were all the same answer so I obviously have no problem with the actual answers we got.

Just as I am aware that some things don't translate well when written others have to realize that they have sounded harsh if they meant to or not. YOur husbands reply did come across has harsh and as if attacking my husband. Maybe he didn't mean it that way but I felt I needed to reply to it.

I also talked to my husband about this and we DID both agree that if we are both questioning so much and worried enough to get so many opinions on it then its best if we just go with our gut and leave it alone.

On a lighter note the "Mrs Joshua" title made me laugh. I think I will address myself as that from now on!!!

The medical profession in Luxembourg, a country not known for its aversion to alcohol (well up there with the Czechs and the Germans for beer consumption and rivalling their southern neighbours for wine consumption), strongly advises women to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy. One doctor old Cliffie knew used to add: But you can have half a glass of champagne when you get home after the birth!

I have seen a few monthes ago here in France a documentary about women who had drunk ocasionnally or often during their pregnancy and had to cope with the guilt of having a child not being able to read etc...because of the alcohol. It was all very sad.