Expectant mothers are constantly bombarded with advice on what they can and can’t eat, drink and do while pregnant, which can naturally lead to confusion and anxiety.
Desperate for advice, a man turned to Mumsnet to ask if he’s unreasonable to be upset about his wife consuming at least one alcoholic drink every second day.
He feels strongly against it, while she insists that one drink a day if perfectly safe.
While many users agreed that they wouldn’t personally take the risk of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, others accused the man of being controlling.
A father-to-be took to Mumsnet for advice after becoming worried about his pregnant wife drinking alcohol every second day (stock image)
The poster explained that his wife is more relaxed and insists that light drinking won’t hurt, but he believes that research suggests otherwise
According to Nice guidlines, pregnant women and those hoping to conceive should avoid alcohol for the first three months due to a possible increased risk of miscarriage.
For the remainder of the pregnancy, Nice advises no more than one to two UK units once or twice a week
Although there is uncertainty regarding a safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy, at this low level there is no evidence of harm to the unborn baby, its guidelines state.
A study recently published in BMJ Open found that light drinking – up to four units a week – doesn’t pose any risk to unborn babies.
If the poster was hoping for back up, it seemed he had come to the wrong place
A mother admitted that she wouldn’t be happy, but doesn’t think it will do any harm
Another commenter said that although she wouldn’t personally drink as research is inconclusive, he shouldn’t be telling his wife what to do
Someone offered the advice that nagging is not the way to get her to stop drinking
One commenter said that there’s nothing wrong with a pregnant woman having four drinks a week
The man who posed the questions was accused of being controlling
Posters said that pregnant women have to put up with enough policing of their actions as it is
Another insisted that very moderate drinking in pregnancy is more common in other European countries than it is in the UK
However, confusion still surrounds the issue with Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, last year advising pregnant women to abstain completely.
When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood into the placenta.
Babies’ livers are one of the last organs to develop and can’t process properly alcohol.
Drinking heavily increases the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Children with FAS have poor growth, facial abnormalities, and learning and behavioural problems.
However, some posters were horrified and said that the woman clearly has issues with alcohol
Another said she doesn’t even drink as much as the pregnant woman in question
Some people could not believe that others found it acceptable to drink every other day in pregnancy
A woman said the poster had every right to be concerned as it’s his baby too