Wondering whether you should enjoy that old tipple of red wine during pregnancy? Is it a glass of wine that helps you unwind after a long day at work? If you search the internet, you will find a divided opinion on this. Some say that drinking up to seven glasses of red wine a week won’t cause any harm to the baby. Some even discuss the benefits of red wine during pregnancy.
On the other hand, others advocate that no matter how little you drink, you stand the chance of causing harm to your baby’s pancreas. This can happen if you consume red wine while expecting a baby. We will say, why take risks? Read on before you decide whether you want to gulp down that tempting glass of red wine or not.
Video of Should You Drink Red Wine During Pregnancy?
What is Red Wine?
Red wine is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting the juice of grapes that are dark in color. During fermentation, yeast converts the sugar in grapes into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
The actual color of the wine depends on the age of the wine. It can range from intense violet (typical of young wines) to brick red (typical of mature wines) and brown (typical of older red wines).
Is Wine Safe During Pregnancy?
A recent British study claims that it is safe for pregnant women to drink up to one glass of wine each day without risking their baby’s health (1). The findings also indicated that, in a steady balance, children tended to perform better if their mothers had a higher overall consumption of alcohol both before and during pregnancy.
This is likely to confuse pregnant women even further due to the many varied opinions on the subject. When it comes to red wine, the entire debate centers around an ingredient found in red wine called “resveratrol”.
Resveratrol is said to protect one against obesity. So when you are not pregnant, this ingredient can be considered very healthy. But when you are pregnant, it is said to have some adverse effects on the baby’s digestive system.
Again, Resveratrol is a very common ingredient and is present even in some fruits and chocolates (2). Not only that, it is present in many medicines too. So, does that mean you should avoid taking fruits and chocolates too?
No, the point is to take everything in the appropriate proportion. However, there is no research about the potential effects of drinking alcohol when expecting and what amounts are safe. Too much of anything can be harmful.
Red Wine During Pregnancy Benefits
Red wine is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating effects.
- The antioxidants present in red wine help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol).
- Moderate amounts of red wine are also said to protect against artery damage and excessive weight gain.
- Polyphenols from red wine may improve the gut microbiota, contributing to a healthy gut.
- Red wine contains a compound known as procyanidins that contributes to healthy blood vessels.
Red wine in moderation may be safe for a woman, but it could lead to developmental abnormalities in a baby if a woman is pregnant. That is why doctors say that, when you are pregnant, it is best to avoid all alcoholic drinks.
Red Wine and Pregnancy Studies
Dr. Grove did a study and found that pancreatic abnormalities were there in cases where Resveratrol supplements were given to lean monkeys who were pregnant and consumed a low-fat, healthy Western diet.
On the other hand, a relatively new study in Britain showed that drinking one glass of wine a day did not cause any harm to the fetus, and the kids were absolutely fine.
In fact, when experimenting, kids aged 7 years showed better mental health development! Although heavy consumption of alcohol leads to significant developmental issues in children.
Physical and Emotional Effects of Having Wine When Expecting
There is a difference between drinking wine during pregnancy and when not pregnant. When you drink wine during pregnancy, the wine reaches your baby through the placenta and umbilical cord.
You are an adult and your liver will work harder to break down the alcohol in your blood. But your baby’s tiny liver can’t take the load because it is still in the developmental stage. It will only result in affecting your baby’s physical as well as mental health.
Red Wine Effects on Fetal Development
Redwine easily reaches the fetus by seeping through the placenta. As your baby’s liver cannot process the alcohol, the concentration of blood alcohol increases in the developing baby. The alcohol may also interfere with the process of delivering oxygen to the fetus’s tissues and organs.
Even before you might know you are pregnant, your baby’s heart, brain, and tissue muscles start developing. So, those who say it is safe to drink until 3 months of pregnancy are wrong. Consuming alcohol is risky at any point during pregnancy.
The condition where the fetus shows signs of defects due to excessive alcohol during pregnancy is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) (3). The babies born may show defects like facial abnormalities, their growth may be slower, have severe problems with the central nervous system, and even show signs of intellectual disability. Babies may also be born with less weight and smaller skulls.
It is difficult to determine the exact amount of wine that can cause harm to the fetus, as every pregnancy is different. Each mother and each baby inside the womb has tolerance to alcohol, but it is always better to avoid it.
Wine During Pregnancy in the Second Trimester
Drinking any kind of alcohol during pregnancy is harmful. But how risky it is to drink moderately or lightly has not been established yet. A glass of wine may appeal to you now that you are in your second trimester and you feel your pregnancy is settled.
However, during this phase of pregnancy, the fetus is going through various developments, and it is better not to do anything that hampers it. If you are so particular about having red wine during your second trimester, we would say that it is your personal choice, but do consult your doctor first.
Red Wine During Pregnancy in the Third Trimester
The third trimester is a crucial one, and you may feel like gobbling a glass of red wine to ease yourself a bit. But as you are in the last trimester of pregnancy, it is wise to avoid any form of alcohol.
Therefore, before you decide to have some wine, speak to your doctor. There might be complications in your case, and your doctor might totally prohibit it. It is just a tiny sacrifice to bring the miraculous bundle of joy into your life.
Ultimately, it is for you to decide. It is also advised that you consult your doctor for the same. Again, as said before, your pregnancy is totally different from that of your friend. So, if she has taken a few drinks, don’t just assume you can take it too. So, before sipping on that glass of wine, ensure that you know whether or not it is best for you and the baby. The human body and pregnancy are something that can never be ascertained fully, taking risks may just not be worth it!
FAQ’s
1. Is an Occasional Glass of Red Wine Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is. As long as it is not very frequent, it cannot harm your baby. Also, ensure you don’t have more than a glass at a time.
2. Red Wine or White Wine During Pregnancy?
Red wine. Red wine is considered safe, while white is not. White wine and other alcoholic beverages are not safe during pregnancy.
3. Can Red Wine During Pregnancy Cause Birth Defects in my Baby?
No, it won’t. Recent studies show it is perfectly safe to drink red wine during pregnancy. It won’t affect you or the baby.
4. Can I Have Red Wine Towards the End of my Pregnancy?
Yes, you can after consulting your doctor. As long as you have the quantity in check, it is safe. If you develop any reaction to it, please avoid it.
5. Can an Occasional Glass of Red Wine When Pregnant Affect the Baby?
The verdict is split on this one. Many feel women should avoid any type of alcohol when pregnant. Some feel an occasional glass won’t hurt.
6. Will Red Wine Pass Alcohol to the Fetus?
Yes, it can. Many believe that when consumed occasionally, it does not impact the baby. But alcohol can pass through the placenta.
7. Can Red Wine Cause Miscarriage?
Yes, it can. If you have too much red wine, it can. As the alcohol content increases in your blood, the risk increases.
8. Can Red Wine Cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Yes, it can. It depends on how much you drink. Too much alcohol consumption by the pregnant woman can lead to FAS in the baby.
Reference
- O’Brien P. Is it all right for women to drink small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy? Yes. BMJ. 2007 Oct 27;335(7625) – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2043426/
- Li-Xue Zhang, Chang-Xing Li, Mohib Ullah Kakar, Muhammad Sajjad Khan, Pei-Feng Wu, Rai Muhammad Amir, Dong-Fang Dai, Muhammad Naveed, Qin-Yuan Li, Muhammad Saeed, Ji-Qiang Shen, Shahid Ali Rajput, Jian-Hua Li, Resveratrol (RV): A pharmacological review and call for further research, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221009483
- Demetrios Vorgias; Francine D. Bynum; Bettina Bernstein – Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448178/
