Hi, the health experts say that during pregnancy you should avoid alcohol all together.  But a funny thing is that in France they drink alcohol like there's no tomorrow even whilst pregnant and they seem to have healthy babies.  If it were me, I would not drink the entire bottle but have a small glass.  The pain in the stomach you are getting is most likely growing pains the baby is growing.  Also the pelvis can move making room for baby.  I had this pain during my pregnancy and my hips eventually towards to end clicked first thing in the morning.  This is all normal.  I wish you well in your pregnancy and enjoy and the baby will soon be here.

Tough question. I have an article about whether it's okay to make a pregnant woman feel guilty for consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Quite a bit of discussion on it if you feel like reading it. There is a range of answers from NO to YES.

If the pain is on one side or the other, lower abdomen, it is probably the tendons that hold the uterus in place.  If you move quickly to the side, while getting up from a sitting or laying position, sneezing and even laughing can cause it to hurt.  Very sharp and lasts for about 30 seconds.  If you know you are going to sneeze press in on the area, on both sides cause you never know which one will pull.  If you do something and pull it lean toward that side, not away. It makes it less painfull and helps it to go away faster.  I am also 5 months, with my 4th child, so I know how you feel! Good luck....

up to 2 glasses of wine is fine (per day). Many women give up altogether b/c its hard to stop at 2. I actually had a craving when I was 5 months pregnant.. I was vegetarian & didn't drink, but suddenly wanted roast chicken, veges, gravy & half a carafe of white wine with it (at 10pm). So I went to an all nite cafe where I knew the cook & asked him. I enjoyd every mouthful (as one does when meeting a pregnancy craving); went home to bed & slept happily for about 3 hrs... Until I suddenly needed to throw it up (& that was good too). I beleive it was the meat in the vegetarian tummy that was indigesible (different intestinal flora is needed to digest meat). But I have no way to be sure..

So with that proviso, I say go ahead.

As to the little abdominal ouches when coughing/sneezing.. I had them too. I think its muscular (it helped if I pushed down on the ouchy bit before I coughed) b/c with things getting so squishy in there, there were muscles suddenly being used that hadn't had much of a workout before... Later in the pregnancy it wasn't a problem..

I got a lot of the pregnancy symptoms; shooting pains down my legs, back ache, hemohrroids, heart burn. What I've read since suggests that some of those could have been alleviated if I'd been drinking more water. So you could try that... tho we could all understand you being hesitant to do anything that could make your bladder even more active!

I agree with most other comments, a glass or two hasn't been proven to have short or long-term effects on a newborn and I asked my Doctor was it ok to have an occasional alcoholic drink whilst pregnant, he said "Like anything else, always in moderation!" I have a perfectly healthy five yr old and I have to be honest and say that I did have a couple of cigarettes also, but I certainly don't recommend that! (have quit now). Those pains could also be just the baby sitting on a nerve, but as mentioned, if you're worried, see your doc, they realy don't mind helping out first-timers especially. Good luck with it all :)

I used to have 2 west coast coolers on a weekend when I was pregnant with my third she is now 3 and shows no side effects!!! I actually craved it but with my others I couldnt stand the thought let alone the smell of alcohol. I dont think there is a problem if its only 1 or 2 not a whole case!!!!! see how you go Im in aus and my midwives said it was ok to have a drink if it was every now and then. Just think,  they dont recommend you quit smoking if your preggers so what is more harmful???????? go for it I say besides it is the festive season!!!!! Dont stress about the pains your expanding dont forget.!! Your body is making room for the little one so just make yourself comfy and enjoy.!!!

xoxo

In the USA they ask that you don't drink at all.

I *think* in AUS the Dr advise that you can. Hopefully others will chime in as to the standards where you are located...

hey there!

you're allowed 2 units of alcohol a week, i chose not to drink but i did have a glass of champagne on a special occassion that we had attended earlier in the year. I think its ok to have drink though dont make a habit of it! lol I dont think it hurts the baby too much as my little girl came out fine!!

in  regards to your other question, if you are really concerned about the pains, contact your midwife or GP, though i found i starting getting odd pains around the 5 month mark.. i think cause when you sneeze your whole contracts so it could be bubby saying hey!! thats enough of that!! as i mentioned before, if concerned contact your midwife/hospital/Gp they'll tell you is happening :)

take care!

By what I have read I it is not recommended to drink any alchol at all.

i dont know about the alcohol.

as for the pains its just growing pains. remember your insides are being pushed aside as the womb grows.  if ur a little worried go and see ur local GP/health nurse or midwife.

sorry im not much help with the alcohol part