To be disappointed in hearing that many UK woman drink during pregnancy [shock]

[Leati]

Yesterday, I was on a thread when some of the women started questioning about US policy on drinking alcohol during pregnancies. One of the women had heard that if you have a glass of wine, you could be arrested. I assured her that wasn't true but there was chance that if you were visibly pregnant that the restaurant or bar might exercise their right to refuse service. And if a pediatrician became suspicious of drug or alcohol abuse, they could have the baby?s blood tested at birth. If the baby is found to have these in their blood, the child will be taken away. Another woman pitched that she found it disturbing that restaurants had signs warning pregnant women.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. These women seemed to believe it was actually okay to drink during their pregnancies. Hadn't they heard of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. So today, I did a little research and was shocked to learn that it is a big problem in the UK and that there is little education about it there.

Women who are angry over mothers choosing the bottle over nursing are damaging their children by drinking alcohol. This is not minor damage, in some case it is equivalent to severe mental retardation and in others it less obvious cognitive problems. Overall nearly 10% of babies born in the UK are suffering from some sort of cognitive problems directly related to alcohol exposure in the womb.

What broke my heart the most is that I have been on this site and I know that the mothers on this site care so much for their children. That while I may not always agree with everything said and our perspectives are not always the same, that we share a common love for our children. So I felt compelled to start this thread and share the information. I hope that you will share it, with your loved ones and it may spread.

I have attached some sites so you can research this yourself. These sites are both from the UK and the US.

www.fasaware.co.uk/

www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/west/series2/fetal_alcohol_syndro mfaspregnancydrinkinglearning_difficulties.shtml

www.healthychildrenproject.org/glossa ry/

I think Leati is actually waterskiing in St Barts...

Actually, my midwife suggested that a glass of good red wine 3 times a week might help increase my iron levels.

It's like that binatone ping pong game with the wee lines chucking that dot back and forth.

Link ping pong.
Love it.

Wish Leati would read the return links though.

Aah, GGG, it's just a waste to give it to baby, isn't it?

So Leai, I have 5 children. I have drank during every pregnancy. Not excessive but 1-2 units per week (although not every week)in the last 3-4 montsh of my pg. Surely given your statistics at least one of my children is mentally retarded? (your words not mine!!)

What a load of Bullshit

You do realise you have probably caused more damage to your own children by introducing gluten at 5 months.

Please get of your very high horse and bugger off.

PMSL LL.

No but I do know that they all came from the UK who has a relaxed attitude about drinking.

Shall we discuss gun control now?

so leati

having skimmed this thread you have told me nothing I didn't know already

you do like cutting and pasting don't you?

or US daytime TV. If that's not a cause of mental retardation, I don't know what is?

'Answer one question

If science suggest that there is even the smallest risk and it not a necessary risk

Why would you take it?'

Because that's what being a grown up is all about. Making choices that affect you and others and living with those choices.

I make choices every day that expose other individuals to a small level of risk in order to meet some desire of mine. Every time I get in a car, in fact.

And because, Leati, I am an independant bloody human being and not a fucking womb on legs.

"No but I do know that they all came from the UK who has a relaxed attitude about drinking."

Statement like that are exactly why Europeans think Americans are pompous twats. Now shut up before I have to spend the rest of the day defending my great land against the American bashing which is likely to follow. It will be your fault.

I love our relaxed attitude to drinking. So much healthier than an uptight, stressed out one.

well that told me!

damn us brits and our relaxed attitude!

that's not the point though is it?

if these unfortunate mothers were drinking the odd glass of wine then your argument would carry some weight.

But you don't actually know do you?

crossing the road can be quite risky I've heard...

Actually, I printing this and sending it to every news agency in the US and UK. I'm sharing it with my friends and posting it on my myspace. I am sending it to the research groups who are trying to study all this.

The truth is it was my intention all along to get a log that showed the casual attitude of drinking during pregnancy in the UK. Thank You ladies for your time.

Oh fantastic. Free press for Mumsnet.

Yoi might want to remove your first post though. Because it contains a hugely inaccurate statistic. Which rather undermines your case...

LEATI please respond re- the gluten issue???? you are blatently ignoring everyone

Sixty pages of women viciously protecting thier right to booze should be interesting.

According to latest research:

Annual incidence of FAS in the USA - 359

Number of children/teens killed in 2002 by gunfire - 3,012

So I think you have greater things to worry about than whether a few mothers thousands of miles away from you choose to drink a glass of red wine or two.

It has been entertaining, I'll grant you that..

[casts admiring glance at lapin]

please answer my question re levels of alcohol consumed by the mothers of the 135 babies.