News Moms Need

During pregnancy a baby’s brain and neurological system is developing and the bottom line is that you cannot drink alcohol. Dr. Dolan gives us some tips on how to avoid alcohol.

During my pregnancy, I have lots of family and friends who want to share thoughtful advice. I know people mean well, but it’s sometimes confusing when their thoughts conflict with what other family, friends, my health provider and even my gut say. Alcohol seems to be the topic that most of my friends and family differ. Some say the occasional drink is OK; others (including my OB) say absolutely NO to alcohol.

A recent series of Danish studies are adding to the confusion. The researchers looked at several studies that tracked women during their pregnancies and followed their children up to age 5. The Danish studies suggested that the women who took part in light drinking in early pregnancy may not have caused serious problems in these children. However, the researchers warn that much more research needs to be done because there’s still no amount of alcohol that is considered safe.

So while I’m pregnant with my second baby and have the occasional friend tell me it’s OK to have that glass of red with dinner every once in a while, I say to myself, “why take the chance?” The best gift I can give my baby is a healthy start in life. And if that means I have to pass on the sangria this summer, to me, it’s worth it.

Nine months of a healthy pregnancy is the best gift you can give your future baby. There are things you can do before you get pregnant to help give your baby a better chance of a healthy and full-term birth. Talk to your health care provider before and during pregnancy about you and your partners’ health and any concerns you many have. This will help you have a healthy baby.

Before getting pregnant, ask your health provider these 9 questions.

What do I need to know about:
1. Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections or other health problems?
2. Medicines or home remedies?
3. Taking a multivitamin pill with folic acid in it each day?
4. Getting to a healthy weight before pregnancy?
5. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs?
6. Unsafe chemicals or other things I should stay away from at home or at work?
7. Taking care of myself and lowering my stress?
8. How long to wait between pregnancies? (Ask your health care provider what’s best for you.)
9. My family history, including premature birth? Premature birth is when your baby is born too early, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Special thanks to the celebrities Thalia and Heather Headley for helping the March of Dimes tell women about these 9 important questions.

There’s a hot discussion on Twitter right now about whether or not it’s OK to have a glass of wine when you’re pregnant. Our friend @ResourcefulMom decided to “open that can of worms” and we’re glad she did.

Let’s start by stating the facts: There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink during pregnancy. Period. We say it. ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) says it. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) says it.

Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm a developing baby. An interesting article in TIME last fall   referenced a recent study that made several noteworthy points about the varying degrees to which alcohol can affect a baby.

If you’re drinking, so is your baby. When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol passes through the placenta to her fetus. In the fetus’s immature body, alcohol is broken down much more slowly than in an adult’s body. As a result, Mom may feel fine but the alcohol level of the baby’s blood can be higher and remain elevated longer than the level in the mother’s blood. This sometimes causes the baby to suffer lifelong damage.

Binging is a big problem in this country. About 1 in 30 pregnant women report binge drinking (four or more drinks on any one occasion). Women who binge drink or drink heavily greatly increase the risk of alcohol-related damage to their babies. A 2008 Danish study found that women who binge drink three or more times during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy had a 56 percent greater risk for stillbirth than women who did not binge drink. Another 2008 study found that women who had five or more drinks a week were 70 percent more likely to have a stillborn baby than non-drinking women. Those are horrible numbers!

Yes, but you don’t binge drink. So what if your doc says one glass is OK? Well, what does he mean? How much is in one glass?  Have you seen the shapes and sizes of wine glasses lately? Some are small and look like a juice glass, others are enormous. Do you fill it half-full or all the way? If your doc specified, would you actually know what 4 ounces looks like in your glass?  The fact of the matter is that in this country where everything is super-sized we’re more than likely knocking back a great deal more than we think.

The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink any alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor, throughout their pregnancy and while nursing. And, because we often don’t know when we conceive, women who may be pregnant or those who want to become pregnant also should not drink alcohol. Our point is that if science doesn’t know if something is safe, considering what’s at stake, why would you risk it?   It seems best to stick with mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Lots of women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, but many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm their developing baby. In fact, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe - none.

Many folks think that a glass of wine is good for your heart, which may or may not be true, but it’s not good for a developing baby.  Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a wide range of physical and mental birth defects. The term “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” (FASDs) is used to describe the many problems associated with exposure to alcohol before birth. Did you know that each year in the United States, up to 40,000 babies are born with FASDs? It’s such a shame because these problems are totally preventable – totally. It’s so simple, just don’t drink if you’re hoping to be or are pregnant.  Isn’t a healthy baby worth waiting a few months for that glass of vino?

We’ve given tips before about partying without the booze and offer different recipes for drinks.  We wanted to remind you of them during Alcohol Awareness Month. Take these suggestions to heart to keep your little one safe.

Spring break, woohoo!!!  Have a hot time but, if you’re pregnant or want to be, cool it with the booze. April is Alcohol Awareness Month so it’s time to remind ourselves that there is no safe amount of alcohol we can consume during pregnancy.  Want one more summer of regular margaritas and mojitos?  Then wait til the fall before you start thinking of baby.

Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects like fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm a developing baby. The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink any alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor, throughout their pregnancy and while nursing. And, because women often don’t know they’re pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.

But if you’re hoping there’s a baby in your future, you can still hit the beach and have a good time at a party. I thought I’d resurrect a few great recipes for non-alcoholic drinks that are fun and yummy.  Read our post on bodacious beverages and cocktails anyone?  There are some great tips and comments.

Since there is no known safe amount of alcohol a pregnant woman can consume, avoiding it when you’re trying to conceive is best.  Does that make for a boring holiday?  Not at all.  Try these ideas:

Pomegranate Fizz – mix some seltzer with pomegranate juice and add a slice of lime or a drop of lime sherbet, or both.

Mango Lassi - Blend together mango nectar, a touch of powdered sugar, water and yogurt

Mulled cider – heat apple cider with clove, cinnamon and a touch of allspice or nutmeg.  It’s good served hot or cold.

Smoothies – buzz up some non-fat yogurt with OJ or cranberry, add fresh fruit

Pineapple juice and coconut milk over chipped ice make a yummy non-alchy pina colada.

Creamsicle in a glass - blended OJ and vanilla ice cream

Apricot nectar, OJ and ginger ale make a heavenly sunrise, especially with a cherry at the bottom of the glass.

Read Anne’s suggestions for holiday cheer when she was pregnant and send us your suggestions.  The more the merrier.

There are things you can do, before you get pregnant, to help give your baby a better chance of a healthy and full-term birth. See your health care provider before pregnancy and ask about the following topics.

What do I need to know about…

1. Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections or other health problems?
2. Medicines or home remedies?
3. Taking a multivitamin pill with folic acid in it each day? 
4. Getting to a healthy weight before pregnancy?
5. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs?
6. Unsafe chemicals or other things I should stay away from at home or at work?
7. Taking care of myself and lowering my stress? 
8. How long to wait between pregnancies?
9. My family history, including premature birth?

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week. Between both of our families, friends, and our jobs we’re going to be plenty busy visiting and attending holiday parties. My husband is thrilled to have a designated driver all season long. I don’t mind, but while everyone’s clinking wine glasses I might feel a little left out. There’s just something un-festive about toasting with a glass of water. That’s why I decided to research some fun, contemporary, alcohol-free cocktails online. 

I came across these fabulous ideas for getting started. 1. Choose the right stem wear. Select a fine wine or martini glass or champagne flute.  2. Use garnish such as a slice of lime, mint leaves, lemon rind, or a maraschino cherry. 3. Add some sparkle! Use a wine charm on your glass. 4. Be creative. Combine club soda with tropical or exotic fruit juices. 

Here’s my plan. I have tall, skinny pilsner glasses at home. I plan to make cranberry juice ice-cubes and fill an entire glass. Then I’m going to add club soda and a slice of lime. If you have any recipes or style ideas please feel free to share. Have a wonderful holiday season. Cheers!

Continuing our post on the ABC’s of a healthy pregnancy A-G (July 10), here are guidelines H-Q to help increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

H: History can teach us a lot! Understanding your family history can make an important difference in your life and the lives of your children.

I: Iron is a mineral that helps create red blood cells, which are needed to carry oxygen to your baby. Be sure to get enough iron in your diet to prevent getting anemia.

J: Join a childbirth education class to help you understand what to expect during labor and birth.

K: Keep you and your baby safe during a disaster by planning ahead of time. Prepare for a disaster by making a list of medications you’re taking and having a handy contact sheet with your health provider’s information.

L: Lots of back pain? Backache is one of the most common problems for pregnant women. Avoid heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time. Wear comfortable shoes and consider a pregnancy massage to ease some of your pain.

M: Medical conditions, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, should be carefully monitored by you and your health provider. Also, talk to your provider about any medications that may need to be adjusted during pregnancy.

N: Nausea is very common during pregnancy and certain foods can trigger the feeling. Try substituting other nutritious options for the foods that make you feel ill. Eat 5-6 small meals a day, rather than three large ones.

O: Oh, baby! Get ready to care for your baby before you bring her home from the hosital. Choose a health provider for her and make sure your home environment is all set and safe for your new baby.

P: Prenatal care is essential for having a healthy baby, so be sure to make all of your visits. During these appointments, prenatal tests will be given to help your provider know how you and your baby are doing.

Q: Quit bad habits such as smoking and drinking. Smoking can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in the womb. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause your baby to be born with both physical and mental birth defects.

Visit us next Thursday for the final part of our series, the ABC’s of a healthy pregnancy R-Z.