Nov 15, 2007 8:26 am US/Pacific
New Study Says Some Alcohol OK For Pregnant Moms
Research Shows No Evidence That Occasional Drinking Harms Fetus
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) ―
There's a new study out that says pregnancy and alcohol may mix.
British researchers say it might be okay for pregnant women to occasionally indulge in a night of drinking. The researchers reviewed 14 studies and could not find much evidence that a once-in-a-while binge harms a fetus. But the researchers also said more study is needed.
Some women believe a little wine or beer can't hurt.
Jessica Shannon is 6 months pregnant and drinks occasionally.
"I don't know…maybe once every couple of weeks," Shannon said. "I grew up in Europe, and so they're a little more lax about it over there. It doesn't seem like it's too big of a problem to me"
It turns out most doctors agree, as long as the pregnant woman drinks as little as possible.
"There's no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy," said obstetrician Dr. Jordan Horowitz of California Pacific Medical Center. "However, common sense might suggest, an occasional glass of wine or beer, in small amounts, might not be dangerous."
Doctors say there's no real science to prove drinking is safe. Some believe women should be more careful during the second and third trimester.
"There's not a great way to identify the effects of what you do today would affect the baby," said obstetrician Dr. Eric Tabas of St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco. "Because there are so many times that the baby would be insulated, but there are times, that one incident would cause a problem. And we can't track that well."
There is always the fear that one glass can lead to a second, which leads to a third. Binge drinking can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects.
"Everybody's different, we just don't know how alcohol will impact individual women," said Dr. Horowitz.
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