It is often said that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is not wise. There are plenty of scientific studies that prove this. However, a number of studies have also shown that a small amount of wine does not harm during pregnancy. But it is still unclear what exactly the minimum dose is at which damage can be caused. This is partly because it depends on how the pregnant woman reacts to alcohol.
Benefits of wine
There are plenty of studies regarding alcohol during pregnancy. It has long been proven that alcohol can damage the unborn baby and that it is therefore unwise to consume alcohol during pregnancy. However, there are also studies that show that alcohol can have positive health effects for non-pregnant adults. For example, the antioxidants from wine are said to be good for resistance and a glass of red wine with a meal would prevent fat from being stored. In addition, red wine is said to ensure stronger bones and a longer life. You would think that these benefits would also be very desirable for pregnant women. Isn’t it better to drink small amounts of wine during pregnancy?
To research
Several studies have been conducted into drinking (small) amounts of wine during pregnancy.
No effect with small amounts
Danish research by Professor Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel and Erik Lykke Mortensen has shown that occasionally drinking up to eight small glasses of wine per week has no adverse effect on the health and development of the unborn baby. Even during the first weeks of pregnancy, no effects have been found. During the study, 1628 children were followed from birth to the age of five. These children did not have a lower IQ, poorer attention, self-control or organizational skills.
Adverse effects with small amounts
In another study, published in BJOG, researchers examined the effects of small amounts of wine during pregnancy. Cognitive tests have been done with more than ten thousand seven-year-old children. The children of mothers who drank less than two glasses of wine per week during pregnancy were less likely to have behavioral disorders than children of mothers who did not drink during pregnancy. Other skills such as reading, mathematics and spatial awareness were also better in the children of mothers who drank small amounts of wine during pregnancy. Further research is still needed to see whether no adverse effects occur even after these seven years.
Disadvantages during pregnancy
However, there are also indications that using less than one glass per day can have an adverse effect on pregnancy in the form of miscarriages, fetal death and premature birth. There are also indications that it can have negative consequences for the baby’s development. Genetic predisposition ensures that sensitivity to alcohol differs per person. The damage to the unborn child therefore depends on the genetic predisposition. It is partly known which genetic factors play a role. The genotype ADH2-3 allele helps the liver break down alcohol. If the process goes very quickly you will become very nauseous. This process makes it impossible to drink a lot of alcohol. Mothers with this genotype are therefore less likely to have a child with abnormalities.
Large quantities of wine
Adverse effects are especially visible in case of drinking large amounts of wine during pregnancy. This refers to six or more glasses per day. Due to genetic predisposition, some women will be able to drink more without harming the fetus. In other women, a smaller dose may have adverse effects. Large amounts generally increase the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). This condition can vary from a mild form, in which the child quickly becomes overstimulated, has a poor memory and shows social problems, to a very severe form. In the worst case, the child will suffer growth retardation, abnormal facial features and neurological damage.
Wine during pregnancy
So the big problem is that everyone reacts differently to alcohol, making it difficult to draw up a general rule. It is therefore particularly difficult to determine the danger limit during pregnancy. It cannot therefore be said whether a glass of wine per day is permitted, even though it has the benefits mentioned at the beginning of this article. The health council’s advice is therefore not to drink a drop of alcohol during pregnancy, and this includes a glass of wine.
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