Put Down the Glass, Selfish

We have all noticed that this upcoming generation is obsessed with the drinking scene: parties, GNO, date night, basically anywhere we go there is alcohol offered. The first thing you hear these days at sit down restaurants from your waiter is, "Could I start you off with a cocktail?" However, I am here to talk about one specific, serious problem: pregnant women drinking.

Did you know, if you don't consume any alcohol while pregnant, your baby can't have any health problems caused by alcohol? Wow, shocking!

If you drink while pregnant you are increasing your baby's chances of having:

• premature birth
• FASDs (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders)
• defects: hearing, vision, heart, etc
• LBW (low birth weight)
• growth and brain development damage
• stillbirth
• miscarriage

How it reaches your baby:

The alcohol in your blood reaches the baby through the placenta. The baby is still growing and cannot process alcohol because his liver isn't fully developed. (Side note: you should not be drinking while breast feeding either.)

Some statistics:

• 1 in 100 babies have FASD. 
• Approximately 40,000 newborns each year are affected by FASDs
• 18% of pregnant women drink during early pregnancy 
• 10% of women drink during the whole pregnancy
• more than 60% of doctors have a zero tolerance policy 

As a mother (whether planned or not) you are now responsible for a human being. God is trusting you to take care of your child (Yes! Even while pregnant!) and drinking alcohol is not being a responsible mother.

I am writing this from my dear heart. I had a friend who drank while she was pregnant and her children developed slowly and I'm afraid there will be more problems in the children's futures. I don't want to be silent anymore... I should've been a better friend and told her the honest truth. Just because your doctor tells you a drink every week or so is okay for the baby, doesn't mean it's worth risking that chance.

Honestly in this situation, as a Christian, what would God want you to do? I know I'm so thankful my mom never drank while pregnant with me and my siblings. If she did, I could've had learning development problems. Heck, I could've died in reality.

I don't write this to offend, judge, or upset. I write this with the intent of raising awareness to this generation's young moms-to-be. Are you so selfish that you can't put down the glass for a couple of years while pregnant and breast-feeding?

God Bless and Thank you,

your hopelessly devoted Christian wife.