Alcohol and pregnancy

It is my belief that mothers to be should abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. I have, but I am not a big drinker. I survived nearly two years on pain medication that couldn't mix with alcohol and the lack of alcohol was the least of my concerns. I find the horror some women express at nine months free of alcohol to be disappointing to say the least. When I was pregnant before, the advice was that moderation was the key. In the intervening years, the government advice is that pregnant ladies should avoid alcohol altogether.

Goodo.

Now all we need is a shift in public perception so that people can happily say they don't want a drink without having to say they are pregnant. One day...

Some facts:

One drink taken by mother - alcohol enters bloodstream - crosses placenta to baby - interferes with ability to get enough oxygen for normal cell development.

Research has shown that a foetus has very low tolerance for alcohol.

Heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause:

• birth defects, including damage to the developing organs and nervous system of the foetus
• miscarriage
• premature delivery
• stillbirth

Most people are aware of this. However, many people do not realise that moderate or even light drinking can also harm the foetus. No levels of alcohol have been proven  to be safe, which is why it is recommended to abstain.  

It is recommended that you avoid alcohol if you are trying for a baby, but if you didn't expect to be pregnant and had alcohol during the time before you found out, don't panic. Mention it to your GP or midwife and stop drinking when you do find out.

For more information click to find out about foetal alcohol syndrome.