pregnancy parenting and alcohol important information for you NHS GRAMPIAN MATERNITY SERVICES

Transcription

1 pregnancy parenting and alcohol important information for you NHS GRAMPIAN MATERNITY SERVICES

2 contents page pregnancyparentingalcohol 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

3 1Introduction This 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: 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. 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 ) on their heaviest drinking day 4 5

4 2Planning a Pregnancy When 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. 3 Alcohol and Pregnancy When 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. 6 7

5 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. 4Alcohol and Parenting The 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. 8 9

6 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. 5Alcohol and Breastfeeding Breastfeeding 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

7 250ml 40% Pint of standard lager/ beer. 12.5% Bottle of spirits; whisky, vodka, gin, rum etc. 700ml 2.3 Large glass of wine. 4% What is a unit of ALCOHOL? 1.4 5% 1 unit Single (pub) measure of spirts; whisky, 40% vodka, gin, rum etc. Bottle of alcopop. 275ml 5% 25ml 2.8 Pint of premium strength lager/beer. 1.7 Standard bottle of premium strength lager/beer. 5% 5% Bottle of average strength wine. 330ml 2.8 Pint of regular cider. 6 1 What is a unit of alcohol? unit equals 10ml of pure alcohol Units are calculated by: Volume (mls) x Strength (%) 1000 Sensible drinking guidelines (for over-18s): Women No more than 2-3 a day (and not 3 every day) and no more than 14 in one week. Men No more than 3-4 a day (and not 4 every day) and no more than 21 in one week. Avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive. We all need at least TWO alcohol-free days per week. 2.1 Standard glass of wine. 12.5% 175ml Bottle of strong cider 275ml % ml 12.5% 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. 12 = Alcohol by volume 13

8 7Useful contact details In 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 Addaction Aberdeen One to one counselling, direct access and outreach, links to health services for care planning and rehabilitation support, aftercare and support groups aberdeen@addaction.org.uk Alcoholics Anonymous Peer support for recovery from alcohol dependency, various meeting times/locations across Grampian (24 hour helpline) Alcohol Focus Scotland Alcohol Focus Scotland is Scotland s national charity working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Alcohol Support Limited Wide range of support services for anyone with an alcohol problem and/or those affected by someone else s alcohol problem counseller@alcoholsupport.co.uk Community Alcohol Service Aberdeenshire (CASA) For anyone in Aberdeenshire concerned about their own or someone s alcohol use; also provides a buddy support service info@casaaberdeenshire.co.uk 14 15

9 Drinkline Scotland Drinkline 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 (24 hour confidential helpline) FAS Aware UK Raising awareness, giving informed choice, information and support for people affected by/interested in FAS with a range of resources available to download. Local GP or NHS 24 NHS24 provides comprehensive up to date health information and self care advice for people in Scotland. NHS 24: NOFAS UK The 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 communities affected by FAS and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Helpline Ready, Steady, Baby An NHS resource with lots of information on pregnancy, labour and caring for your baby. Scottish Women s Aid Scottish 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 (24 hours) Domestic Abuse contact@scottishwomensaid.org.uk Sexual Health Scotland Information on a range of sexual health issues including a source of help and support services

10 Studio 8 Information, support and guidance for alcohol and drug misuse, drop in, one- to-one sessions, group work, helpline, arrest referral and support studio08@turningpointscotland.com Turning Point Scotland Turning Point Scotland provides person centred support to adults with a range of complex needs 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 at; nhsg.aberdeencityadp@nhs.net 18

11 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 or or Ask for publication CGD