Rachel Weisz drew collective gasps from prenatal experts everywhere by saying she’s of the mind that it’s ok to have an occasional glass of wine while you’re pregnant.
In Europe they supposedly say it’s ok to have an odd glass of wine while you’re pregnant, which is how Weisz defended her statement. In America, though, it’s strictly forbidden and even most European obstetricians advise against it:
Oscar-winnng actress Rachel Weisz has sparked controversy by saying it is acceptable for pregnant women to drink alcohol.
The 35-year-old, who recently gave birth to her first child, said she thought it was “fine” for expectant mothers to have a glass of wine after the first three months.
British-born Miss Weisz added: “I mean in Europe they drink it”.
Her comments, which were made while she promoted her latest movie The Fountain, were immediately criticised by medical experts who described them as “ill-informed” and “dangerous”.
The Government is currently reviewing guidelines on drinking alcohol when pregnant after experts warned that even very small amounts could result in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome which can lead to learning difficulties, poor co-ordination and attention deficit disorder.
Current UK guidelines say pregnant women can drink one or two units, the equivalent to one or two small glasses of wine or single measures of spirit, once or twice a week.
In the US and Canada complete abstinence from drinking is advised for expectant mothers.
Last night foetal alcohol syndrome specialist Dr Raja Mukherjee, of St George’s Hospital Medical School in London, said: “If Rachel Weisz has drunk during her pregnancy and the baby is fine then that’s just pure luck. The problem is that you don’t know who is at risk and who is not…
Miss Weisz, who won an Oscar last year for her role in The Constant Gardener made her comments in an interview in New York to publicise the film, in which she appears with actor Hugh Jackman.
Asked whether she thought a glass of wine was fine she replied: “Personally I do. They say not in the first three months though, but I think that after that it’s fine. I mean in Europe they drink it”.
Gwyneth Paltrow personally thanked her and took another sip of Guinness.
I agree with her. Its Americans that are uptight about the drinking in pregnancy thing. A unit every now and then will not hurt the baby. Actually certain drinks like lager can help a woman with nausea associated with p[regnancy. I know it helped me. I suffered nausea for 5 months during my pregnancy and for a while it ws only the odd glass of beer that helped settle my stomach.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too dangerous. When people think of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome they think about developmental delays but the problem is larger than that. There is a lesser degree of the same condition called Fetal Alcohol Effect and the results aren’t so visible but can range from light learning disorders to sociopathic sensibilities. (When I was in University I knew a girl who’s parents had adopted 8 kids internationally, 6 of them turned out to have FAE and it was very difficult for the family). Nobody knows what is and isn’t safe. I would much rather not have a drink during the year of being pregnant than spent 20 years living with someone who’s not hard-wired with a sense of right and wrong.
I have to agree with Clarimonde on this one. Though it is very dangerous to drink during pregnancy an occasional glass of wine is ok, even my doc here in the states told me that.
and why risk your baby’s health just so you can catch a buzz? That would be pretty selfish.
My mum drakn haevliy wiff me and I haevn’t had eny sideefcts at al. Nun whutsoever.
Fleegle, who is looing to catch a buzz? One glass or wine or beer certainly doesnt give me a buzz.
I was told by my Doctor and midwife to have a glass of beer every few days or so if I wanted one and that if it helped settle my stomach and encouraged me to eat normally then it was a good thing. I barely ate a thing the first 3 months of pregnancy bc I was so nauseaus and a glass of beer was one of the few things that helped me feel a wee bit better and let me eat a bit.
I took a class on this and lemme tell you, I wouldn’t risk it for all of the world. Yes, it’s extremely dangerous to drink within the first 3 months because the central nervous system, eyes, ears, limbs, and other essential systems are being developed during this time. However, after the first 3 months these systems are still finishing up development. The brain is still developing mass in the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy. Alcohol is the ONLY drug that is proven to cause defects in a child, including reducing the size of a child’s brain during fetal development. Not marijuana, not crack-cocaine, not meth, but ALCOHOL. Is is seriously worth the risk of having a child with an underdeveloped brain and learning disorders because mommy wanted to have a vanity glass of wine with dinner?
My doctor told me to have a little wine when i was pregnant with my son because i was such a nervous wreck. There is nothing wrong with wine if you drink it in moderation.
I think Rachel is right.
This is one of those things that everyone knows is true, but you wouldn’t want to shout it from the rooftops. People might take it to mean that it’s OK to drink daily, when no one is saying that.
Rachel did not say anything wrong, its just the press trying to make something out of nothing.
I agree, I live in the U.S. and in a city with the most educated doctors and best hospitals, my OB encouraged the occasional glass of wine to relax and destress after the first trimester was over in both my pregnancies.
However, with that said, I got the occasional asshole that would stare me down at a restaurant. I would toast the person and have a sip…and smile of course.
Mariposa, yes, if you drink in excess that is not good for a child that is developing. Some people also don’t drink coffee because it is said to highten the rate of miscarriages. However, if you are a responsible adult, there is no way a glass of wine will cause fetal alcohol syndrome.
I’ll chime in as well in support of Rachel. My ob also assured me an occaisional glass of wine (as in once every few weeks) is acceptable after the first trimester.
Also, in the first month of my pregnancy before I knew, I did a bunch of things that are strictly verboten: wine tasting (got pretty lit, I’m sad to admit), drank wine with dinner, enjoyed a hot tub and a steam sauna. I also rode roller coasters and worked on a Habitat for Humanity build at three months.
For the most part I avoided eating and drinking the recommended things. I didn’t give up my coffee, however.
I had the most uneventful pregnancy and smooth, albeit looong, natural childbirth.
My baby will turn 10 months this weekend, and he is stellar, developing normally, good-natured, sleeps like a champ, loves to eat, and is very friendly.
Finally, as I step down from my soapbox, how is it that human kind survived for generations during the times when ale/mead and wine were the primary beverage of choice? What did pregnant women in ancient times drink? Water wasn’t clean or safe and there wasn’t the prolific amounts of teas, juices, sodas like we have today.
I think its better to be safe than sorry. I know the occational sip of wine is okay but I hear only in the LAST trimester. Im sure when Im pregnant I wont touch alcohol. If my doctor told me to for blood pressure reasons or something I would. I don’t like the idea of a pregnant woman drinking simply because a lot of women might not be as responsible at moderating it.
Good for Rachel…the random glass of wine or beer can really help calm a woman during pregnancy…and some studies point towards the fact that negative impacts on the fetus in these instances could just as easily be caused by the stress that the mother feels from the guilt society puts on a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
I don’t think it much matters what the government recommends as safe and not safe. Expectant mothers are going to do whatever they want. It’s sad to know of pregnant women getting drunk or even drinking every night. But well, even if they know the facts it doesn’t always stop them.
Personally, I had a 1/2 glass of champagne on our anniversary when I was 6 months pregnant. Other than that, I didn’t have any. I did drink wine when I didn’t know I was pregnant for the first few weeks–but not in excess, just a glass with dinner.
Alabamapink–just playing devil’s advocate, Birth in the middle ages often cost both the mother and child their lives. Also, many infants died back then too (the percentage is huge)–who really knows the cause, but they did. So I don’t think your mead comment holds much wine, er…weight.
But I do think you’re right. Pregnant women today are really careful or overly careful. But I’d rather see that than the swing side. I worked with inner-city kids before I had my child for five years. And it was shocking to see expectant mom’s (whose children I taught) smoking, smelling of alcohol… sad, sad.
Happy 10 month birthday to your son! My daughter turns 1 on Thanksgiving.
i was always told that it was ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while when pregnant so i agree with rachel. When i was pregnant with my first daughter i didn’t know i was pregnant for the first 5 months!! (long story) anyway i was only 19 at the time and was club hopping and drinking and smoking normal stuff! every weekend, i had no reason not to. when i found out that the doctors were wrong and i was pregnant, i stopped all this immediatly, my daughter is now a very healthy, bright 5 year old. just lucky i guess
one of the mums at my sisters school, did not take folic acid for her first pregnany and has a very healthy little boy, she took folic acid on the doctors/midwives recommendation for her next 2 pregnancys both ended up in misscarriages, the 4th time she refused to take it and now has a healthy baby girl! even things that are supposed to help you can turn out to be wrong!
I honestly don’t think that a glass of wine once in a while is going to do much harm.. let’s not go to extreme describing inner city alcoholics and junkies as an alternative. This is what bothers me about the U.S. so much-it’s always an extreme attitude.. you either don’t touch alcohol or you sleep under the bridge, so it’s better to forbid it completely because women are supposedly not able to use their best judgment. Doctors used to stop premature labor by giving women alcohol to relax contractions. A little bit of wine with dinner will not harm the baby.
I think we have a huge problem in our society right now with people viewing expectant moms as public property, and feeling entitled not only to grope their bellies but also to tell them how to be good pregnant women. Women who haven’t had children yet are especially bad in this regard.
When I was pregnant with my 3.5-year-old son, I drank one glass of wine almost every day after the first trimester, and my doctor approved! My mother-in-law works for NIH and gave me access to all of the relevant research, and there’s no statistical risk associated with consuming small amounts of alcohol.
There’s also no risk associated with periodically eating raw fish from a clean establishment, but that didn’t stop busybodies (even my own waitress at one restaurant), from telling me not to eat sushi while I was pregnant.
Ironically, it’s much more dangerous to eat luncheon meat while pregnant than it is to either drink small amounts of alcohol or eat small amounts of sushi, but in America perception is reality, right? Who cares about science?
I’m not bitter.
Tina, I like it how you say “smoking normal stuff”. =)
People are going on a lot of anecdotal evidence here. I am so glad that you all have healthy beautiful babies. But my point is that I think there is a problem advocating that it is a safe thing to do. Experts in the field say not to have a drink because they can’t yet determine what is safe. Your OB or family doctor or midwife (and this actress) is NOT one of these experts. It is unknown whether it is a quantity issue or a timing issue. Normally I do believe in all things in moderation, and Clarimonde, if that was what you needed to support you and your baby nutritionally than that is a risk that I would also have been willing to take. But I don’t see the point in a strawberry daquari when a virgin one is just as yummy when we’re talking about the health of your child.
‘But my point is that I think there is a problem advocating that it is a safe thing to do.”
That’s not the point, Rachel never advocated anything. She just said that she thought that it was OK to have a glass of wine after the first trimester.
Its the media trying to say that she said that, so its the media trying to make a big deal of it.
I certainly think that celebrities should learn when to keep their opinions to themselves sometimes and avoid unnecessary brouhahas. I mean, I don’t see any problem with occasional glass of wine during pregnancy, but I’m not going to rent a billboard advertising as much.
JoGirl is right on: when you are pregnant your body suddenly becomes public business. I don’t know how much clucking and sidelong glances I had to endure over my one cup of coffee a day. You would have thought I was shooting heroin.
Funny thing (and I’ve noticed this a lot), the some of same women who are extra careful during pregnancy become mothers who give their toddlers french fries and oreos because it’s “easier” than trying to establish healthy eating habits. These same moms have the TV constantly blaring in their homes and allow hours of videogames. Does the careful attention to a child’s health suddenly end when they are post-utero?
Finally, julie, if my OB isn’t an expert on prenatal care and pregnancy who is? The words “studies show” don’t mean anything to me unless I read the studies, find out what the control group was, what other factors were involved in the study, etc. Scientific studies are not always 100% foolproof.
“I certainly think that celebrities should learn when to keep their opinions to themselves sometimes and avoid unnecessary brouhahas. I mean, I don’t see any problem with occasional glass of wine during pregnancy, but I’m not going to rent a billboard advertising as much.’
I don’t think Rachel was, because it was the reporter who ask her the question. Anyway, i respect Rachel a lot more for her honesty about the subject.
I agree…my OB damn well better be an expert on “this stuff.” From what I’ve read, its actually pretty clear the effects of OVERconsumption of alcohol during pregnancy. I think most women are very in tune with their bodies while pregnant, so let them do what they feel is reasonable.
(I certainly think that celebrities should learn when to keep their opinions to themselves sometimes and avoid unnecessary brouhahas. I mean, I don’t see any problem with occasional glass of wine during pregnancy, but I’m not going to rent a billboard advertising as much)
I think its irresponsible for you to try to blame Rachel for what is going on here. In my opinion she’s the victim in all of this for just answering a question with some honesty.
I would not risk it, personally. And yes, I do get a big buzz from drinking one glass of wine or one beer.
Hmmmmmmmm. Okay, I’m willing to eat my words regarding OB’s not being experts on neonatal health. What I meant was that they aren’t experts on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect like the researchers who are studying the problem are. I’ve never had an OB, I used midwives, and the impression that I got from my friends was that their OB’s were primarily focused on the business of getting the baby out and less so on what is going on with mother and babe (now this could just be a regional thing but in my community you wait in your OB’s office 2 hours for a 5 min. appointment and then you’re rushed out. I don’t consider that to be a thoughtful practice of medicine and would not want to take advice from someone who just wants you out of the office.) BUT, I do recant my statement regarding OB’s not being experts, especially if your collective OB’s are more conscientious than those I’ve been told of in my community.
Gosh these mommy topics certainly get response don’t they? Just like the hot guys of children’s tv shows topic earlier.
No, I’m not blaming her. It’s the press and the TV newsmagazines who end up taking comments like these and blowing them into “big” stories. Then those same stories are beat to death for days and days in the media.
But… a press conference is not the same as a cocktail party. She had to know her comments were being recorded and would end up printed somewhere.
True, the interviewer asked the question, but it would have been just as easy for her to say, “What difference does it make what I think? I’m just an actress, not a doctor.” Especially to a question that had nothing to do with the movie she was promoting or the craft of acting.
But then again, that’s just me.
“But… a press conference is not the same as a cocktail party. She had to know her comments were being recorded and would end up printed somewhere”
Maybe she thought people were mature enough to understand what she was saying, not the smear campaign that is happening now.
“True, the interviewer asked the question, but it would have been just as easy for her to say, “What difference does it make what I think? I’m just an actress, not a doctor.” Especially to a question that had nothing to do with the movie she was promoting or the craft of acting.’
So you think she should shut her mouth about something many women are doing?
Please….you’re almost as bad as those who are trying to make this a big issue.
“let’s not go to extreme describing inner city alcoholics and junkies as an alternative. This is what bothers me about the U.S. so much-it’s always an extreme attitude..”
Millie, I wasn’t saying that people either abstain from drinking completely or are inner city alcoholics or junkies. I was simply relating my personal experience how it really surprised me and shocked me to see very pregnant moms smoking and smelling of alcohol. It’s really disturbing and sad to see, honestly, especially when I was 8 mo. pregnant!
And yes, I’d much rather see someone abstain for any alcohol than have too much. I think that’s a given. You’d like the same, right? I don’t remember mentioning moderation anywhere in that sentence; therefore, I wasn’t talking about it.
That said, I still stand by that people are going to do what they want to do. They may choose not to consume any, a little or a lot of alcohol and any study isn’t going to change their minds one way or another.
Alabama Pink, I completely agree that Celebs are asked for their opinion on everything now-a-days. And somehow, they feel obliged to give it. Really, I don’t answer every questions I’m asked because sometimes things are personal. Media loves to pry that way and celebs always give in. I’m not saying Rachel was uncomfortable answering it (because she didn’t seem to be) but just once I’d love to hear a celeb say, “It’s none of your f-ing business what I think about that.”
Eh.
I don’t recall saying she should “keep her mouth shut” about anything.
Seriously though, what kind of bizarre question is that to ask at a press conference for a movie, i.e. whether or not it if fine for a pregnant woman to drink a glass of wine? Seems like the reporter was fishing for some controversy.
There are all kinds of questions that would have made more sense regarding playing three different characters in three different worlds, being directed by your beau, the physical demands of the role, etc.
Again, eh. But that’s just me.
“Seriously though, what kind of bizarre question is that to ask at a press conference for a movie, i.e. whether or not it if fine for a pregnant woman to drink a glass of wine? Seems like the reporter was fishing for some controversy.”
That’s the British press for you, they make the us press look honest in comparison. I would not be surpise if this was a smear campaign.
I think the idea is that there are different schools of thought in this as in most other subjects. Overall a responsible, healthy pregnancy encompasses many things physical, mental, etc., just like any other healthy lifestyle.
tell the frowners to go booze-free for 10 mos, plus time for breast feeding (say a total of 12 to 18 mos). in all that damn time do you honestly think that a couple of glasses of wine is going to harm the child, or you? i’m due next month and have sipped four glasses since march. in the grand scheme of things there are worse activities i could have engaged in. a drinky drink doesn’t even register.
The whole thing was blown way out of proportion.
lets think about this one… Our parents drank and smoked etc. when preggo with us… and a majority of us turned out perfectly healthy… more than half of babies conceived now and before were conceived during heavy alcohol or even drug use… a baby getting fetal alcohol sydrome comes from EXCESSIVE alcohol abuse not an occasional beer or wine… Now obviously when you have either you drink 1 not 5… I’m pretty sure people aren’t idiots… unless they are trash and just don’t give a F*ck!
Alright ladies, you are all correct to an extent. But the facts remain (and Julie states this very well in her comments) that drinking alcohol while pregnant has a very good chance (according to research that I encourage you all to read for yourself and become informed women as stated in someone else’s comments) of messing up your kid. There is no denying it. You can all give all your stories of kids being ok and old doctors telling you that an occasional glass is ok (which by the way, what year is this?! 1952? Did they tell you that smoking was ok as well?! It’s not according to actual and several studies that I have personally read with MRI’s and everything showing physical evidence of the effects of even a little bit of alcohol on the fetus) but it doesn’t change the facts that research shows that it’s not ok. I will state what I did on the Gwyneth article:
I encourage anyone who is looking at these obviously idiotic celebs who apparantly don’t have 2 neurons in their brains, to look at Time Magazines November 20th issue Health section story titled Ahead of Their Time http://www.time.com/time/magazi…/0,9171,1558331,00.html
At a time when women are supposed to be the most educated, refined and foward thinking of all the ages, it continually astounds me how stupid some can be. Let alone how self absorded can a person be to not put their addictions and cravings on hold for the life of their child. Grow up Gwynthn and Racheal! It’s not about you anymore. And if that’s the way you wanted it, then you shouldn’t be having children. They didn’t ask for God to send them to selfish and ingnorant parents. But unforntunately they got you. So now it’s your DUTY to wise up and do better than the previous generation and educate yourself on these issues.
“Grow up Gwynthn and Racheal! It’s not about you anymore. And if that’s the way you wanted it, then you shouldn’t be having children.”
Get off your soap box and get your head out of your ass. Rachel did not say anything wrong and judging by your holier than tho response with out even looking at what Rachel had said or even looking even further for the benefits of wine, you’re the one who should not have children.
“Grow up Gwynthn and Racheal! It’s not about you anymore. And if that’s the way you wanted it, then you shouldn’t be having children.”
I can think of much worse people to have kids (Madonna anyone?) but you still won’t see me telling them to not have kids either. That’s just plain nasty. Who are you to determine who ‘should’ have kids and who ‘shouldn’t’? Your God-complex is showing.
I bet all of you smoked crack with your glass of wine too!!! You all are so ignorant!!
Actually I do not have kids… and with your Ignorance chiasson, I am sure your mother smoked a crack pipe and drank a bottle of wine here…
Not one person is condoning it, we are simply saying that there are ACTUAL, LEGITIMATE Doctors out there saying it IS ok to have an OCCASIONAL glass of wine or beer… (Notice though, I DID SAY OCCASSIONAL!)
Wow, people are STILL really angry about this. The point that I want to drive home (and I apologize if I keep saying the same thing) is that we aren’t just talking about FAS. There is also FAE. I copied this from this link http://members.aol.com/creaconinc/fas.html“In addition to those with FAS are those individuals who appear normal but who have Fetal Alcohol Effects. Further from our sight are those individuals we suspect on a clinical basis have something wrong with them or are clinically abnormal but the reason why is hidden. The largest part of the iceberg, but where it most difficult for us to see, are those individuals that are apparently normal but unable to meet their potential. Some of these individuals are in the classrooms of today. They work hard and try, but it all doesn’t come together.” If there is any possibility that a poorly timed drink paired with a genetic predisposition could limit a child’s potential, it is best to just abstain. And please don’t think that I’m a total prude. With my first we’d tried for three years and thought we couldn’t get pregnant. I had three serious benders between the time and I got pregnant and realized it. She seems brilliant and beautiful now (3 yrs) but if things change for her in school or a learning disability arises, I will wonder if it my fault. And maybe the looser uncle that we all have that won’t move out of grandma’s house at 48 could have had a different future.
LADY9 I just wanted to reiterate that we aren’t just talking about the FAS that comes with excessive drinking. There is also FAE often goes unnoticed. This is a quote from About:Special Parenting Needs”Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) is one of a spectrum of neurological impairments that can affect a child who has been exposed to alcohol in the womb. Children with FAE are not as obviously impaired as children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) — they usually lack the distinctive FAS facial features and have normal IQs — and so FAE is sometimes described as less serious. Sadly, however, children with FAE are in fact more likely to have negative outcomes such as trouble with school, trouble with the law and teen pregnancy; the fact that they look “normal” but can’t behave that way due to brain damage causes them to face unrealistic expectations without appropriate support, which can have serious repercussions for these children and their families.”
So when you mention that our parents had the occasional drink and most of us are okay, I would reply that, true, most of us don’t have FAS, but most of us do have a fuckwit uncle who is 48, can’t keep a job and won’t move out of grandma’s house. That’s where these effects go unnoticed. (And I certainly want my kids moving out at some point). Will an occasional drink damage your baby? Probably not, but until they determine what the problem is (number of drinks? day of gestation? Genetic predisposition?) then it’s best to stay safe and drink a milkshake.
There is no hard evidence that proves that drinking wine in small moderation causes FAS.
Thank you Kelly! I had already said, that I wasn’t condoning drinking by any means, I was saying that some drs do recommend a glass here any there for certain people.. IN MODERATION! HA some people need to get off their soap box… and re-read what we are saying!
Julie… you raise a good point about FAE… but I think the “outcomes of FAE” that you listed… are pretty lame. Saying that a mom had 5 drinks her entire 9 month pregnancy is the reason her son is a trouble maker in school or her daughter got pregnant at 18…that makes absolutely no sense… This is a neglect issue… or a child just making irresponsible decisions, no necessarily because their mom had some drinks while pregnant… quite honestly… Kelly is correct, there is no hard evidence… But Good suggestions, I suppose…
Lady9, you are no lady just an ignorant crack smoking inbreed!!!You shouldnt breed I feel sorry for your kids!!
chiasson Says:
November 20th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Lady9, you are no lady just an ignorant crack smoking inbreed!!!You shouldnt breed I feel sorry for your kids!!
Hahah… this is absolutely hilarious… Anyways… I am very busy at work, I just thought I would post what I have learned from several women whom have had successful pregnancies and healthy/beautiful babies…. though I would like to add, that I am not inbred, nor am I someone who smokes crack, I am a highly intelligent/educated business woman…. I am 22 years old I have my Bachelors degree in Management and probably have more going for me then yourself, chiasson… I feel terribly sorry for you and the fact that you were not fortunate enough to get a decent education like myself, and your poor parents could not teach you valuable manners. I hope that you can learn from some of the intellectual people that do post on here, and realize that if you could read, you would see that 98% of us on here are NOT saying “Go Get Wasted, it’s ok” but more along the lines of… an occasional drink will not hurt you…. This has been something that even some doctors recommend to their patients. Some women become very stressed so they tell them to have a glass of wine. Lets also keep in mind a glass of red wine is very beneficial to the heart, some people have to have a glass of wine on occasion to help their heart… Chiasson, please do more research and also please read the posts before you start “name calling” like a 10-year-old boy… Thank you!
Hi Lady9
I guess we’ll just have to disagree on this. I’m just wondering if you checked out any of the websites on FAE because I’m really not just being “lame”. FAE does lead to behavioural issues that look like a bad attitude. Certainly not every person that displays behavioural problems is someone that has FAE, but that is an indisputable outcome of FAE. It’s not always a nurture issue (as you’ll find out when your kids and your friends kids start to grow up.) And don’t get me wrong, I’m not playing a numbers game as you suggest. I am well aware that just because excessive drinking causes an excessive condition (FAS) it does not follow that moderate drinking will cause a moderate condition (FAE). I’m just saying that until the research is really in on what is what, I don’t consider it a safe thing to do. But we all take calculated risks everyday.
Apologies for the 2 posts that say the same thing. I thought the first one hadn’t gone.
And chiasson, shame on you!!! Until you can make a clear argument without hurling insults your opinions will fall on deaf ears.
Julie, that was really well written and very respectful. 🙂
Of course a glass now and then is safe. So is a puff of cigarette. So is eating nitrate-filled hot dogs, caffeine filled coffee, pepsi or chocolate. So are the many things that Americans tend to cast as ‘evil’ in an effort to guilt themselves into behaving…if only Americans had an ounce of restraint, things like sex and food and drink wouldn’t be so taboo to them. It’s a pity that one of the most unhealthy nations on earth is also the most uptight about health.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is very real and possible if you drink too much. No one knows for sure how much will cause it…but statistics show that countries where women drink every so often with dinner now and then when pregnant DO NOT have higher incidents. In fact, you’ll never guess which country does? As with obesity, it’s not the countries who eat cheese, oils, pasta and pastries who are fat -It’s the ones who are incredibly health conscious, always on a diet, always worried about exercising. See a correlation?? Fear/paranoia/extreme behaviours and thoughts vs a casual, responsible, easy-going approach to enjoying life. Hmmm…food for thought perhaps?? Learn from other countries before you judge harshly.
Funny how topics always come around to stating how Americans are bad without an ounce of restraint and are the most unhealthy.
Lilo? Is this you again? You’re always the one who is obsessed with American weight!
Actually no, I’m a middle-aged French-Canadian mom (who doesn’t even drink). It’s just so funny that the rest of the world can see things so clearly and try to be helpful and point out things, but of course there is a closed mind to things foreign. Might is right. My husband is American and can now see what Americans who never get exposed to anything beyond their borders can’t see. Oh well, “Vivre la difference” (it means Long live differences) and it’s a French saying that Voltaire once supported by saying “I disagree with what you say but will fight to the death for your right to say it.” It’s about being tolerant and understanding and also being easy on yourself. Women must learn to support each other’s choices, even if we disagree with them, rather than condemn.
And the reason posts like these usually have anti-American sentiment is because only in the US would you find a board where women don’t support each other and try to induce guilty compliance in others. I was quite pleased that Rachel was able to brave very firm, resolute views from the US and face censure or the casting of stones. I’m surprised some organization in the US doesn’t demand a boycott of her movies for daring to have a non-majority view on things. 🙂 Oh well, I’m sure my views will likely cause much anger since opinions not in the mainstream are often reason enough to fight. Oh, and Action, just to clarify…I love Americans. My father was Californian and my husband is from Florida. We live in Canada, but we adore the spirit and childlike naive nature of Americans, the teenage-like attitude that they are right in all things and no one else knows any better, etc. It’s quite cute when you look at it from the outside (since we are used to diversity, we are not as threatened by it)…the only dangerous part is that these emotionally turbulent, angst-ridden volatile teenagers are also armed with weapons of mass destruction. 😉
Chantal, I stand corrected. You are obviously not Lilo since you can put a sentence together without errors, use common sense, and not run on about different topics.
I do agree with you that American women often do not support each other just because their beliefs are different on child bearing and rearing topics. It does a disservice to all women involved.
While I do believe that a lot of Americans portray, “Well of COURSE I know it all and know what’s best” kind of attitude. I disagree that all Americans are that way. Most of the people I know are well aware of how the other countries see us and are realistic about America’s current standing/beliefs. I also disagree that Americans are not used to diversity. I live in a very diverse culture, where, fortunately, everyone respect each others differences and beliefs–learning from one another. Personally, I think the diversity of America is one of the things that makes America great.
You people have no clue. My husband and I are raising his grandchild who has FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME. Her life will NEVER be normal. EVERYTHING is a struggle for her! We have had her with us since she was 4 months old. She is now 6 yrs old. NO amount of alcohol is safe while pregnant! And you’re definitely kidding yourself if you think otherwise. She is a beauiful little girl who has a disability that is 100% TOTALLY PREVENTABLE! DO NOT DRINK WHILE PREGNANT!!
I think we all can assume that there are many, many children who are conceived unknowingly to parents who drink socially. These parents may, for several weeks, be consuming 2 to 8 to whatever number of drinks per week. Then, woooo, surprise! They find out that they’re 5 or 6 weeks along. If that were me I would of course be concerned, but if it was a given that occasional drinking = FAS, then there would be a lot of more kiddos with disabilities running around that could be linked to alcohol use. I don’t think that drinking should be the answer to stress during pregnancy, but I don’t see one drink every now and then as being harmful.