Please stop drinking mummy

When you’re pregnant it can seem like you are being bombarded with information. There are hundreds of leafl ets, books, magazines and websites all about what to do and not to do for the next nine months of your life.

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to go for trustworthy advice. Therefore we have put this leafl et together to help you make the important decision about whether or not to drink alcohol during your pregnancy.

Alcohol and Pregnancy – The Facts and the Myths.

Alcohol and Pregnancy – The Facts and the Myths.

The healthiest option is not to drink when you’re pregnant.

It’s understandable that a woman who regularly drinks alcohol may want to continue drinking after they become pregnant, but it’s important to be aware of the risks to your baby before you make the decision to drink alcohol.

Many women believe that they can drink alcohol safely during pregnancy as long as it’s not too much... but that’s simply not true.

It’s pretty clear that the consequences of drinking alcohol while pregnant could be devastating, with the potential for life-long health issues for your unborn child. Hopefully this information will help you make the right decision for you and your baby.

The RisksSo drinking alcohol could put your baby at risk – but what does that mean?

Birth defects, such as FASD (see image)

Learning diffi culties.

Behavioural disorders.

Problems with physical and emotional development.

Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and small birth weight are all associated with binge drinking – that means drinking the equivalent of three medium 175ml glasses of wine, or more, in one night.

!

Guinness is alcohol and is therefore unsafe. Years ago people drank it when pregnant but that was before the risks were known as they are today. You get far more iron from eating things like spinach, red meat,

kidney beans and dried fruit.

Alcohol and Pregnancy Myths

“I drink red wine but avoid spirits.

That’s okay”

“Guinness doesn’t count because it’s

good for increasing my iron levels”

“Drinking is fi ne after the fi rst trimester”

Alcohol is alcohol, whatever form it comes in and therefore it

increases the risk of alcohol related complications.

This is NOT TRUE! The only way to completely remove the risk is

to avoid alcohol altogether.

Cup of ice, 300ml of pineapple juice, 125ml milk, 125ml double cream and 2 tablespoons white sugar.

Stick all the ingredients in a blender (or a large jug and use a hand blender) and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and if you like pop a slice of pineapple on the edge of the glass to serve.

120ml cranberry juice, 60ml fresh lime juice, 300ml soda water, 2 Lime wedges for garnish, 8 cubes ice, caster sugar for frosting.

Chill 2 glasses in the fridge. Pour the ice into a shaker or tall glass and add the juices and soda. Cover and shake to combine. Run a lime wedge over the outside rim of the chilled glasses and dip the rims in the caster sugar. Pour the mixed drink into the chilled glasses and place a lime on the edge of the rim to serve.

4-6 strawberries, 10ml elderflower cordial, 10ml ginger syrup, 10ml lemon juice, 60ml cranberry juice, 60ml apple juice, 1 lemon slice and 1 strawberry to garnish.

Mix and slightly crush the strawberries in a cocktail shaker, or a large container with a lid. Add the elderflower cordial, ginger syrup, lemon, cranberry, and apple juice. Cover and shake hard, then strain over ice cubes into a tall glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a strawberry.

250ml chilled peach juice, 1 peach, 200ml chilled sparkling white grape juice, ice cubes/crushed ice.

Pour your peach and sparkling grape juices into a jug and stir, slice your peach into 1cm thick slices and place into the glasses and pour in the mixed the juices. Add some ice to serve.

Pina Colada

Mockmopolitan

Summer Berry Sling

Virgin Bellini

If you feel that you are finding it hard to cut down on your drinking or need some help giving it up, speak to your GP or midwife to see how they can help.

www.nhs.uk

How to enjoy your pregnancy without alcohol.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of your life as you look forward to the arrival of your new baby. You don’t need alcohol to enjoy this time, there are lots of things to do such as enjoy a walk in the park, go shopping, visit a local city, meet a friend for lunch or take a trip to the cinema. Use this time to learn all about your growing baby and prepare your home for their arrival.

If you do find it hard without having a drink when you go out for dinner with friends, attend a wedding or have a night out with work colleagues, think about having a non-alcoholic cocktail, alcohol free beer or a sparkling fruity water instead.

Here are some delicious alternatives to alcoholic drinks so you can still feel like you are joining in the party! (all recipes serves 2)