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pregnancy parenting and alcoholimportant information for you
NHS GRAMPIAN MATERNITY SERVICES
pregnancyparentingalcohol
pregnancyparentingalcohol
page
1 Introduction 4
2 Planning a pregnancy 6
3 Alcohol and pregnancy 7
4 Alcohol and parenting 9
5 Alcohol and breastfeeding 11
6 What is a unit of alcohol? 12
7 Useful contact details 14
c o n t e n t s
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IntroductionThis booklet has been developed to help support women to make informed choices about drinking alcohol and its effects when they are:
• planning a pregnancy
• pregnant
• a parent.
Why does this booklet target women? Alcohol consumption has increased in the UK over the last fifteen years. Although women generally continue to consume less alcohol than men, the increase in women’s drinking means that their consumption is now approaching that of men and from recent national surveys we know that:
• 20% of women drink more than the weekly sensible limits
• 18% of women ‘binge drink’ (that is they consume more than double the daily sensible limits of 3 units) on their heaviest drinking day
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• many of those who do exceed the sensible limits may be underestimating their own level of consumption
• women are significantly less likely to know the current limits for consumption than men (Detailed information on sensible limits is contained within Section 6).
Also, alcohol is especially toxic to women’s bodies, causing damage to many organs at lower doses than those that cause damage in men. The blood alcohol concentration of alcohol is higher for women than for men of the same size because of certain factors such as amount of fatty tissue, body water and how women’s bodies manage the toxic effects of alcohol.
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Planning a PregnancyWhen planning a pregnancy, you and your partner will be encouraged to be in the best possible health. Alcohol increases the risk of infertility and because of its toxic effects, it is best avoided when you are trying for a baby.
If you would like to talk about any of the issues raised in this leaflet, please speak to a health professional. They can advise you, and if needed, can refer you to other appropriate contacts. There are also local useful contacts and related information included within Section 7.
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Alcohol and PregnancyWhen a pregnant woman drinks alcohol – so does her baby. The alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream will cross the placenta and get into the unborn baby’s bloodstream too. Alcohol can harm an unborn baby in different ways at different times throughout pregnancy. There is no way to know how alcohol might affect the unborn baby. One baby may be harmed by alcohol, while another may not. Babies born to mothers who drink alcohol may not present at birth as having difficulties – but problems can present later.
Research has not ascertained safe levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy – there are simply too many influences such as; nutrition, metabolism and other health problems – for prediction of which pregnancies will be at risk.
Exposure to alcohol during any point of pregnancy can increase the risk of conditions known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a lifelong medical condition that affects unborn babies caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Individuals with FAS may have brain damage, may be small in size and have facial deformities.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder describes the range of effects associated with a baby exposed to alcohol in the womb. Some of these effects can cause lifelong mental, physical and behavioural problems. Because FASD can resemble other conditions, it is difficult to diagnose. Therefore the number of children in the UK with FASD is not accurately known.
FAS and FASD are completely preventable
• There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.
• There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy.
• There is no safe type/brand of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.
• It is never too late to stop drinking during pregnancy.
• No alcohol = No risk.
• FAS and FASD are completely preventable.
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Alcohol and ParentingThe first few months of a baby’s life are especially important. Babies need consistent, reliable and responsive parenting to make sure that they develop normally both physically and emotionally. Drinking alcohol may influence the kind of parent you plan to be. Alcohol can alter how you respond to your child’s needs and in turn how your child grows and develops into adulthood.
There are many reasons why people choose to drink alcohol. The majority of people do drink sensibly and as such do not encounter any negative consequences from their consumption. However, it is clear that regular and/or heavy use of alcohol over and above the sensible limits (Section 6) can lead to a variety of difficulties and can result in problematic drinking and in some cases alcohol dependency.
Alcohol dependency can have a serious impact on the parenting and wellbeing of children.
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Research shows that the children of dependent parents are more likely to be exposed to a range of negative outcomes, and as a result:
• suffer from FAS and FASD
• have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is sometimes called cot death
• be neglected or abused
• have emotional and behavioural problems
• have difficulties with concentration
• misuse alcohol and/or drugs themselves
• do less well at school.
Alcohol and postnatal depression (PND)After having a baby, some women will have postnatal depression. This may be a time when alcohol use increases or in some extreme cases, dependency develops.
If for any reason you think that stopping drinking will be a problem for you or if you have concerns about postnatal depression or that your child may be affected by your use of alcohol then speak to a health professional or refer to the list of useful contacts (Section 7) as soon as possible.
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5 Alcohol and BreastfeedingBreastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life and has health benefits for both you and your baby. It is advisable not to drink alcohol regularly whilst you are breastfeeding. Be aware that:
• alcohol passes easily into breast milk
• your milk may taste and smell different. This may affect how often and how much your baby feeds. This in turn may affect your milk production and ‘let down’ reflex
• alcohol in your milk may make your baby drowsy and affect their sleeping pattern
• if you have drunk alcohol, you may not be able to best respond to your baby’s needs. Also, do not take your baby into bed with you or fall asleep with baby on a chair/sofa, regardless of the method of feeding
• alcohol levels are highest 30 to 90 minutes after drinking, so restrict alcohol until after the baby has fed
• you do not need to express to clear your milk of alcohol as it passes back into your bloodstream as your own blood levels fall
• if you pass out or are ill from drinking too much alcohol, do not breastfeed until the following morning
• you can express your milk in advance if you know you will be drinking alcohol.
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Pint of standard lager/beer.
2.3 units
4% ABV
Pint of premium strength lager/beer.
2.8 units5%
ABV
Pint of regular cider.
2.8 units
5% ABV
ABV = Alcohol by volume
Bottle of average strength wine.
9.4 units
12.5% ABV
750m
l
Bottle of strong cider
2.1 units
7.5% ABV
275m
lStandard glass of wine.
2.1 units
12.5%ABV
175m
l
Bottle of alcopop.
1.4 units
5% ABV
275m
l
Large glass of wine.
3.1 units
12.5% ABV
250m
l
Bottle of spirits; whisky, vodka, gin, rum etc.
28 units
40% ABV
700m
l
Standard bottle of premium strength lager/beer.
5% ABV
1.7 units
330m
l
Single (pub) measure of spirts; whisky, vodka, gin, rum etc.
1 unit
40% ABV 25m
l
What is a unit ofALCOHOL?
Other occasions when alcohol should not be consumed:• Driving or operating machinery, certain sporting activities.• Certain medical conditions and medications.
It takes around one hour for the body to safely process 1 unit of alcohol.
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6 1 unit equals 10ml of pure alcohol Units are calculated by:
Volume (mls) x Strength (%ABV)
1000
Sensible drinking guidelines (for over-18s):
We all need at least TWO alcohol-free days per week.
Women No more than 2-3 units a day (and not 3 units every day) and no more than 14 units in one week.
MenNo more than 3-4 units a day (and not 4 units every day) and no more than 21 units in one week.
Avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive.
What is a unit of alcohol?
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7 Useful contact detailsIn addition to your midwife, health visitor or GP, you can also contact the following organisations:
Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (ADP) Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Alcohol & Drug Partnerships are made up of senior officals from within core partners of health, social work, police, prisons, education and the voluntary sector. They have a role in co-ordinating efforts to tackle problem drug and alcohol misuse in their local area and their websites will display a range of local service and other information.
www.aberdeencityadp.org.uk www.aberdeenshireadp.co.uk www.madp.org.uk
Addaction AberdeenOne to one counselling, direct access and outreach, links to health services for care planning and rehabilitation support, aftercare and support groups.
☎ 0800 0354 346 (freephone) @ [email protected]
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Alcoholics Anonymous Peer support for recovery from alcohol dependency, various meeting times/locations across Grampian.
☎ 0845 7697555 (24 hour helpline) www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alcohol Focus ScotlandAlcohol Focus Scotland is Scotland’s national charity working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/alcohol-pregnancy
Alcohol Support LimitedWide range of support services for anyone with an alcohol problem and/or those affected by someone else’s alcohol problem.
☎ 01224 595981 @ [email protected]
Community Alcohol Service Aberdeenshire (CASA)For anyone in Aberdeenshire concerned about their own or someone’s alcohol use; also provides a buddy support service.
☎ 0845 4752272 @ [email protected]
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Drinkline ScotlandDrinkline is an advice and information line for anyone who wants more information about alcohol, local services that can help or simply to talk about drinking and alcohol issues.
☎ 0800 7314314 (24 hour confidential helpline) www.drinksmarter.org
FAS Aware UKRaising awareness, giving informed choice, information and support for people affected by/interested in FAS with a range of resources available to download.
www.fasaware.co.uk
Local GP or NHS 24NHS24 provides comprehensive up to date health information and self care advice for people in Scotland.
☎ NHS 24: 111 www.nhs24.com
NOFAS UKThe National UK Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is dedicated to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to improving the quality of life for children, adults, families, carers and
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communities affected by FAS and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
☎ Helpline 020 8458 5951 www.nofas-uk.org
Ready, Steady, BabyAn NHS resource with lots of information on pregnancy, labour and caring for your baby.
www.readysteadybaby.org.uk
Scottish Women’s AidScottish Women’s Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. They play a vital role campaigning and lobbying for effective responses to domestic abuse.
☎ 0800 0271234 (24 hours) Domestic Abuse helpline @ [email protected]
Sexual Health ScotlandInformation on a range of sexual health issues including a source of help and support services.
www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk
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Feedback from the public helped us to develop this booklet. If you have any comments or suggestions about how we can improve this booklet, please let us know.
You can contact us via email at;
Turning Point Scotland Studio 8 ServiceInformation, support and guidance for alcohol and drug misuse, drop in, one- to-one sessions, group work, helpline, arrest referral and email support.
☎ 01343 543792 @ [email protected]
Turning Point ScotlandTurning Point Scotland provides person centred support to adults with a range of complex needs.
☎ 01779 470409 www.turningpointscotland.com
This publication is also available in large print and on computer disk. Other formats and languages can be supplied on request. Please call Equality and Diversity on 01224 551116 or 552245 or email [email protected]
Ask for publication CGD 140107
