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An Auckland bar tender has been taken to task after chastising a mother-to-be for drinking. The incident, at the Living Room in Ponsonby, follows a harsh warning from the Alcohol Advisory Council (Alac) that women should not drink during pregnancy.
It follows similar criticism of high-profile pregnant "drinkers", including actress Gwyneth Paltrow, spotted swigging on a bottle of Guinness while pregnant with her second child, and Oscar-winner Rachel Weisz, whose suggestion that having a wee tipple while pregnant - "the French do it" - might not be such a bad thing sparked outrage among medical experts. Her comments were described as "ill-informed" and "dangerous".
The woman at the centre of the latest stoush, who asked not to be named, is due to give birth to her second child this week.
She said she was "accosted" and repeatedly questioned about her choice when she ordered a low-alcohol beer at the Living Room on Monday night. She thought it "patronising and rude".
"The barman asked me whether I was sure I wanted to have an alcoholic drink, then pointed at my stomach," she said. "I was fuming."
She drank light beer and wine during her previous pregnancy, as her four sisters had during theirs.
"I've had glares from people in the past and it does seem that while you have this huge stomach and you are waddling around, everyone has something to say about it, but nothing like this. This was incredibly insulting."
Friends had similar experiences. One was reprimanded for ordering dessert with a rum sauce, another had her wine glass whisked away.
It is estimated that two to three babies in every 1000 will be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, symptoms of which include stunted growth, abnormal facial features, impaired cognitive development and behavioural problems.
There is conflicting advice about how much alcohol is too much. The United States advocates total abstinence. In Britain, the Department of Health "allows" expectant mothers up to two units - the equivalent of a glass of wine - once or twice a week.
Guidelines in Australia state that if pregnant women choose to drink, it should be "less than seven standard drinks over a week, and no more than two on any one day".
New Zealand's Ministry of Health recommends not drinking alcohol at all during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who spoke to the Herald on Sunday were divided on the issue. Journalist Kimberley Rothwell, 34, said morning sickness meant alcohol was the last thing on her mind for the first three months. Now, at 22 weeks, she has an occasional glass of white wine.
"I know women who have had the odd drink during pregnancy and have had perfectly healthy babies, so I'm not going to freak out about a splash of wine here and there."
"I would be angry if a bar worker told me I couldn't have a light beer. It's none of his business."
Wellington woman Emily Huntington's second child is due in November. The previously light drinker hasn't drunk while pregnant.
"It wasn't really an issue for me - I just went off it completely because even the smell of it makes me feel ill.".
Belinda Wells, communications adviser at Alac is half-way through her first pregnancy. Working in the industry has reinforced her determination not to drink.
"I miss my glass of wine with dinner but I despair that people think I'm not drinking because I work at Alac. I've certainly learned a lot and it's the reason I'm not drinking."
She said it was ironic that pregnant women stopped eating foods, such as pate, cheese or shellfish, because of perceived risks, but were happy to continue drinking, which was "arguably more risky".
Bar tenders said the Ponsonby bartender's comments were uncalled for.
His attitude was "simply ignorant", Christian McCabe, co-owner of Wellington's Matterhorn, said. Workers were bound by the Sale of Liquor Act but it was not a bartender's duty to comment about an adult's choices.
Dr Christine Tippett, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, recommends her patients follow Australian guidelines. "It's extremely unlikely an occasional drink will cause problems."
Rude or responsible?
John McGrath, Crazyhorse, Wellington: "It's outrageous. That's the worst thing I've heard about hospitality for a long time."
Tim O'Donnell, maitre d', Logan Brown, Wellington: "If they feel comfortable drinking when they are pregnant, that's up to them. Lots of people don't. If they are happy to do so then we will just quietly keep an eye on them. I think having a light beer when you're pregnant is fine."
Clooney's Des Hoeflich: "We do host-responsibility, not life-responsibility. There's nothing wrong with a glass of wine. Isn't it recommended?"
Christian McCabe, Matterhorn, Wellington: "Presumably someone drinking a small amount every day while living in a clean, country environment might be putting their unborn child at less risk than the teetotaller living by a motorway and breathing the toxic fumes."
Hans Hoeflich, The Green Room, Auckland: Felt the barman's comments were an over-reaction. "She was being responsible by having a light beer. If she was drunk, that would be different."
Cheers, baby
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD/FAS) is the leading cause of developmental disability worldwide.
Disorders include brain damage, central nervous and immune system problems, low birth-weight, heart and kidney defects, abnormal head and facial features and impaired cognitive development.
Studies show 50 per cent of NZ women believe drinking some alcohol during pregnancy is acceptable.
Around 30 per per cent ( 80 per cent of teenage mothers) admit to consuming alcohol while pregnant. 20 per cent admitted they had binged during their pregnancy, 17 per cent before realising they were pregnant.
New Zealand has 500-plus new cases of FASD, estimated to be costing $3.5 million a year.
