Moderation Versus Zero Tolerance on Drinking During Pregnancy

Attitudes toward and medical recommendations on drinking alcohol during pregnancy have  always varied from country to country, culture to culture. Drinking, at present,  is almost always associated with excess in much of North America and guidelines have suggested that women don’t drink any alcohol during pregnancy. In Europe, where a glass of wine or beer is considered part of the daily lunch or supper menu, recommendations have been along the lines of one “traditional-size” glass a day with the main meal of the day. There are now exceptions to that rule. One psychiatrist in Ireland is suggesting that country adopt a zero-tolerance approach, reported the Irish Independent.

• Until now, expert guidance has allowed mothers some leeway, declaring it safe for expectant mothers to drink four units of alcohol, or around two large glasses of wine, a week.
• However, according to psychiatrist Dr Siobhan Barry the only way to eradicate any risk to a newborn baby is to adopt a zero tolerance approach to alcohol, even for those who are trying to conceive.
• Limiting consumption to four units a week would only minimise risk to the baby, said Dr Barry. “The evolving literature has shown that for some women even small amounts of alcohol can be detrimental to their newborn.
• “We found in an earlier study that some offspring’s exposed to even moderate levels of alcohol showed increased hyper-activity and difficulties with attention. It is not possible to predict who will be vulnerable to difficulties with alcohol so the only advice we can stand over (is) zero tolerance.”

<>The advice is expected to shock many women in Ireland because it also effects those who are only trying to conceive.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and related conditions are a huge problem and the effects do last a lifetime.  What are called “new trends” toward young women and binge drinking are worrisome because poor general health and bad habits do effect the health of offspring.

<>That said, if you had a few drinks before you knew you were pregnant, it doesn’t mean your child is doomed to suffer. Until the little zygote implants in the uterus and the placenta begins to develop, the fertilzed egg is protected from alcohol for the first two weeks of pregnancy.

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