Firstly, it has been a while since my last blog, I have been waiting to write about something a little less self indulgent. So as a male wanting to be less self indulgent I thought I would write about pregnancy...................before the feminists, mums and expectant mothers come for me with pitch folks let me explain why.
This Thursday (23rd Sept 2010) I have agreed to do a session with a group of young people at TRAX in Harrogate, the group is the 'Bumps to babes' group who meet there every Thursday. They have asked if I would come along and discuss Alcohol with the expectant mothers.
I have been looking into the 'current' guidance for pregnant woman on how much alcohol is safe to consume.
It had been thought that expectant mothers could drink alcohol in 'moderation' and that safe limits were up to 8 units per week, this equates to 3 & 1/2 pints of 4% lager per week or 4 small (175ml) glasses of wine per week.
"in 2007 ministers changed their advice on drinking during pregnancy after research found that almost 1:10 expectant mothers drank more than the recommended limit" (www.Drinkaware.co.uk)
"in March 2008 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence or NICE (Said whilst pointing both index fingers at the screen) advised woman not to drink at all during the first 3 months of pregnancy, also known as the 1st Trimester (check out my knowledge).
they added small amounts of alcohol one or two units once or twice per week after the first trimester was safe " there is uncertainty about how much alcohol is safe to drink in pregnancy, but at this low level there is no evidence of harm to the unborn baby" (www.drinkaware.co.uk)
So there is no evidence it harms the baby (drinking small amounts) but is there any evidence it does not harm the baby? (I'm being Pedantic I know)
All this is useful for my session in 3 days time but nothing beats real life experience! having the wrong equipment and only 3 days to prepare, me getting pregnant is a non-starter.
So.....I Need You!
Whats your experience? did you drink alcohol during pregnancy? did you avoid alcohol for the full term? how easy was it? also did you get any advice about drinking from your mid-wife or GP? is any thing missing? looking back what advice would you give to expectant mums?
Thank you for helping me to help others!
