A New Study Says Light Drinking While Pregnant Is No Big Deal--Do You Agree?

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

I'm 5 months pregnant, and I will admit, I miss my occasional glass of red wine in the evenings (OK, I REALLY miss it!), so my ears perked up when I ran across this hot-off-the-press study which concludes that light drinking during pregnancy poses no risk to developing babes. Fascinating, yes, but here's why I just can't get on board...

Would I love to pour a glass of wine and enjoy it with my guy tonight? Oh yes I would! But, I'm pregnant, and I have concerns, even after a controversial new study was released this week--indicating that women who drank a bit here and there while pregnant posed no real risk to their developing babies.

Related: What I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me: That After Having a Baby, Your Belly Will Hang Around (And It's Normal!)

The scoop: A major British study that followed more than 11,500 children, found that mothers who drank lightly during pregnancy--defined as "1 to 2 alcoholic drinks per week"--gave birth to children who showed no physical or mental disadvantages compared to children of mothers who abstained from alcohol entirely.

While some say this news is a breath of fresh air, and applaud toning down such rigid alcohol warnings during pregnancy, others say its a step in the wrong direction. For one, critics note that the study only looked at the health effects of children up to age 5, but did not look at health effects for later in life (both mental and physical).

Related: The Baby Girl Diet: Trying to Get Preggo? Want a Girl? Eat This Not That, Say Experts

I also worry that it can be difficult for women to toe the line when it comes to drinking and some may consume more than they think they are under the impression that "a little is OK--what's a little more?"

So, yes, as much as I'd love to sip a glass of wine tonight, I'm going to pass. But expect a glass of champagne in this gal's hands the night I bring my little guy home from the hospital. :)

What's your opinion on this new research? Would you drink a little while pregnant?

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