Congratulations! You have made an important decision to improve your health and the health of your unborn baby.

Here is some information about. Alcohol, YOU and Unborn Baby that is important for you to know.

When you are Pregnant

• If you drink, alcohol crosses over to the baby.  It can stay in the fluid surrounding the baby before the birth.

• Alcohol can cause problems in pregnancy such as bleeding, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

There is evidence to suggest that if a woman drinks two or more standard drinks each day the baby can be affected and grow slowly. If a woman drinks six or more standard drinks each day the baby may have slow physical growth, poor coordination and movement and intellectual disability. Unfortunately it is not known whether or not there is any safe level of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

NO ALCOHOL AT ALL IS THE SAFEST APPROACH.

Photo Source:
Source: Health Canada Media Photo Gallery, Health Canada website http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca, 2002 © Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2003

If you do decide to drink:

• If you are trying to become pregnant you would be better to limit your alcohol drinking to small amounts, not too frequently. (One standard drink no more than once a week.)
• If you are pregnant the safest approach is not to drink at all, or at least drink very small amounts (one drink) very infrequently (less than once a week).
• If you are finding it difficult to cut down your drinking discuss this with your doctor or contact your local alcohol and other drug counseling services.

• If you do continue to drink you need to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water regularly. You may need a Vitamin B supplement. Your doctor will advise you on this. It is also important that you tell your midwife or doctor as accurately as you can how   much you drink so that they can monitor your baby's development.

Suggestions for cutting down:

ANY REDUCTION IN YOUR DRINKING IS HELPFUL. If you feel the need to drink try the low alcohol beer or non alcohol wine found at grocery stores.   The low alcohol beer is less harmful to you and the unborn baby.  The non alcohol wine is not harmful and may meet your need to feel like you are having a glass of wine at the party or the dinner.

Drinking to Cope:

We drink for many reasons.  Sometimes we drink to have fun or because we are lonely.  Many women have experienced sexual or physical abuse as a child or in their adult relationships and use alcohol or other drugs to cope with their feelings and memories.  Getting support is a way to help reduce the need to drink.

Produced by The Pregnancy and Health – Community Outreach Project 807-577-1532  
Adapted from material produced by TRANX

The Pregnancy & Health Community Outreach Project is funded by the Federal Government Early Years Initiatives - Early Childhood Development Initiative for Addiction Programs - Ministry of Health and Long Term Care – Addictions and Mental Health Branch
 

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