Since my first pregnancy nearly seven years ago, I have heard the tales of women whose obstetricians or midwives condoned or recommended they occasionally consume a small glass of red wine to help with anxiety and stress. Not being much of a wine drinker at the time, my typical reaction was to shrug, smile and nod, and go on with life. Even after I developed a taste for it, it was still not something I missed during pregnancy. Although midwives and OBs okayed or suggested it, I still simply shrugged.
Here I am, now, at nine weeks pregnant with our fourth child, and I don’t miss or crave the Merlot or the Malbec. Instead, I envy that freshly poured pint of homebrew my husband just brought up from the basement. I wish I could taste that bock we just brewed, and I miss not getting to try the local brewery’s latest creation.
Before anyone gets all huffy, this is not an article about fetal alcohol syndrome or whether alcohol during pregnancy should be allowed or banned…CONTINUE READING AT THE FEDERALIST
