Pre conception and Alcohol
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6684
Printed Date: 17 August 2025 at 4:50pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Pre conception and Alcohol
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Pre conception and Alcohol
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 1:45pm
|
Hi everyone, I am new to the Board and are in the pre-conception phase.
I am wanting some advice please on drinking alcohol (moderately) prior to conception? How have others handled this? There is so much conflicting information out their it can get quite confusing. A colleague has mentioned that drinking moderate amounts prior to your ovulation time is ok? |
Replies:
Posted By: KiwiL
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 2:18pm
|
I drink from when AF arrives until my fertile time (approx 3 - 5 days prior to ovulation). After that I steer clear until AF has arrived again.
It's personal choice, but my motto is that it is better to be safe than sorry. Good luck TTC and welcome to OhBaby! 
|
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 2:21pm
| Thanks so much for your advice. This site looks fantastic. |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 2:39pm
|
I didn't know I was pregnant until AF didn't arrive and a week beforehand I went out and had a few drinks with friends. I worried about it for a little bit, but everything is absolutely fine in there and it happens to a lot of people I guess.
Good luck! 
(Just realised that this doesn't really fit in with what you're talking about. Sorry.) 
|
Posted By: sally belly
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 3:18pm
|
Hi Sunny
I am currently TTC and I've made a decision to not drink at all. I guess I just feel better (safer, not sure?) not drinking anything at all. And it's not like I miss it particularly or anything. What Laurie does sounds like a good plan so you know you are only drinking during your “safe” times. Best of luck -------------    
|
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 11 April 2007 at 9:18pm
|
I was never much of a drinker till after I had Olivia and now I really enjoy a nice glass of wine or a couple of beers on a night out. I actually have to remember I am TTC and not drink around O!!
I think the bottom line is that drinking prior to O is not going to hurt your unborn child (not unless you get really drunk and break yourself!), specifically because conception has not occured. Alcohol *can* interfere/inhibit with the zygote's and fetus' ability to correctly multiply and form. There is also another arguement that the baby isn't connected up to your blood supply till 6 weeks along (when the heart begins to pump) so up till then is not a biggie especially for those of us that didn't know till that far along. I actually did drink when I was probably 3 weeks pregnant, I didn't know at the time, my midwife gave me that little bit of info. Scared the pants off me though and I wont be letting it happen if we manage to concieve sometime this year! ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 2:21am
|
I did what Laurie does too- drank up to 3-4 days before O and then held off until AF arrived. In moderation of course! Can't imagine a big booze session being that great for helping your chances of TTC. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
|
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 8:58am
|
Its great to get other people's perspectives. Some of the books I have been reading have an overwhelming amount of information to take in.
|
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 10:15am
Should I giggle and say "Depends on how horny you are after that big boozer  " ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Jennz wrote:Posted By: sally belly
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 4:05pm
|
To change the topic ever so slightly (sorry Sunny!).
Does anyone know if it's ok to use alcohol in cooking when you are pg? e.g. I sometimes cook risotto or spag bol which have wine in them. The quantities are only small at about 1/4 cup or something but will this have an effect? I guess what I'm asking is, does the alcohol "dissolve" during cooking? Anyone know? -------------
|
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 4:12pm
No worries sally belly, I am also interested in hearing responses to this. From memory cooking shows mention the alcohol evaporates.
|
Posted By: catie
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 4:31pm
| A friend of mine who is a recovered alcoholic eats food that was made with alcohol (e.g. casserole, Christmas cake) as long as the food continued to be cooked thoroughly after the alcohol was added, as apparently the alcohol is 'burned off' just leaving the taste. Better safe than sorry tho'. |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 4:40pm
|
I would have to say that things like that, it would go along the same lines as coffee, tea, or any other foody item that you consume that has risks. You really play a game of Russian roulette with your immune system and unborn child when you are pregnant as anything can happen. I would suggest staying clear because even though a chef might say that the alcohol is burnt off, a Dr or scientist might see it absorbed in something else. Say you have some sherry based Christmas cake, the raisins have more than likely absorbed a quantity of alcohol and that is what rehydrates them a little and gives them that zing. ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 15 April 2007 at 9:49pm
|
Drinkin in moderation while preg hasnt been proven to have effects so its totally a personal choice i know girls who have had one drink a week throughout their pregs and their kids are fine. Some midwives do say one-two drinks a week is ok.
Im TTC at the moment and i drink but not as much after O. I have noticed that i dont want to drink as much these days i use to have at least one drink every night but now only really drink if there is an occasion and even then i only have a few. -------------   
|
Posted By: catie
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 12:49pm
|
I've just had a wee rant about alsohol use during pg in the 'intersting article' thread, but since it's come up here too:
medical research shows that there is no safe time, and no safe amount to drink during pregnancy. Babies have been born with fetal alcohol syndrome from less than a few glasses of wine (over the whole pregnancy). there are all sorts of other factors that determine whether the fetus will be affected, and there's no way of knowing which of those combinations of factors (your genes, DH's genes, biochemical make-up...) will apply to you. |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 3:18pm
Sorry catie, we are talking about TTC so pre-pregnancy. Good rant though... ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |