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A recent study published in the obstetrics and gynecology journal BJOG found that, indeed, women who had two to six drinks per week (or one per day) early in their pregnancy tended to have children with more positive behavior than women who didn’t drink at all. I must admit, I wish I'd read this study sooner because my pregnant self really wanted a glass of wine after a pretty trying plane ride with my 2-year-old last week!
After documenting the women’s alcohol consumption during their first three months of pregnancy, psychologists used a standard checklist to assess the group of 2,370 children every two to three years over the course of 14 years. "This positive behavior meant that the children of light and moderate drinkers had less emotional and behavioral problems through childhood and adolescence," Dr. Monique Robinson, from Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in West Perth, Western Australia, told Reuters Health.
While Dr. Robinson acknowledges these results “may initially appear surprising,” she says, “we need to be cautious about generalizing the effects of a heavy alcohol intake to a light consumption of alcohol—they are not equal." Even with the study’s results, Robinson recognizes that opinions on the topic will continue to vary and recommends checking with your obstetrician before consuming alcohol while pregnant.
Does this study influence your opinion on drinking during pregnancy? Chime in below!
