An article in the SST alerted me to the new advice being given by the UK govt. If you want to verify something best go straight to the horse's mouth. Does the following make any sense or does it just smack of the we-know-best and you-lot-are-idiots nanny state?
New health guidance published today is advising pregnant women or those trying to conceive to avoid alcohol.
The revised Department of Health advice says:
- Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Fiona Adshead said;
"We have strengthened our advice to women to help ensure that no-one underestimates the risk to the developing foetus of drinking above the recommended safe levels. Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive. This advice could also be included on alcohol packaging or labels.
"The advice now reflects the fact the many women give up drinking alcohol completely during pregnancy. It is now straightforward and stresses that it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether."
1. The previous advice in England was: pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should avoid getting drunk.
2. The revised advice is not a result of new scientific evidence, but is consistent with the current evidence. We have revised the advice to make it easier to understand and to provide consistent advice across the UK.
3. Last year the Department of Health commissioned the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit to undertake a review of existing national and international evidence on the effects of alcohol on the developing embryo, foetus and child. The principal findings were that there is no consistent evidence that low to moderate consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has any adverse effects although there is some evidence that binge drinking can affect neurodevelopment of the foetus.
4. While scientific basis for our advice has not changed, the evidence base is not extensive and we believe it is possible the previous advice could be misinterpreted by some that it is safe to drink 'a little' when pregnant, where 'a little' can differ from person to person. Most women do actually stop drinking or drink very little in pregnancy, so a slightly stronger message is aimed at those who do not reduce their consumption to appropriate levels.
So for no rational reason the UK government is now telling pregnant women not to drink at all. And that sort of edict shapes what society thinks.
So if you are up-the-duff, don't dare indulge in a drop of drink (despite the fact that a small amount of alcohol will be metabolized in the liver and never cross the placenta according to experts) because some disapproving dickhead will be delighted to lecture you in the danger of ignoring the great and good government gobbledegook - either literally or in spirit.
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2 comments:
Yep, they're just pushing ideas, never mind requiring a substantive scientific base from which to do so, just spoilers ... conception should indeed be celebrated with bubbles and there is no doubt that relaxation and conviviality are enhanced by it or other standard drinks ... some of life's little enjoyments.
No pies, no chips and no beer to wash it down with ... gosh.
This is like the advice to not drink and drive, including having a glass of wine when out for dinner. Total overkill. I am sure that the tens of millions of French and Italian women who have a drink most nights with dinner, even when pregnant, would disagree with this advice.
I think it is more aimed at women who drink themselves tupid while pregnant, but some types never can see that those are the people they should worry about, not everyone else.
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