Abortions and Drinking: Scare Tactics Lead to Abortions
The Sun-News in Australia reported on scare tactics used to discourage drinking during pregnancy. Experts warned that such tactics can lead women to have abortions. Abortions and drinking alcohol is a serious problem.
Scare tactics were abandoned in the Province of Quebec in Canada. That was after medical authorities realized an unintended result. Many women had taken a drink before they knew they were pregnant. This led a number of them to have abortions out of fear.
Dr. Debra Kennedy is director of the MotherSafe Centre at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women. She reports there is no evidence that drinking a little while pregnant could cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She says that about half of pregnancies are unplanned. So many women will have had alcohol in moderation before knowing they’re pregnant.
Some doctors suggest women have abortions if they’re worried that drinking before knowing they’re pregnancy might have harmed the fetus. However, Dr. Kennedy disagrees with such blanket advice.
Australian guidelines recommend that pregnant women have no more than seven drinks per week. And no more than two in a day. Dr. Kennedy says these are reasonable and safe standards.
Resources
Popular Books
- Dolan, S. and Kelly, A. Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. The Ultimate Pregnancy Guide.
- Duigan, J., et al. Clean & Lean Pregnancy Guide.
- Geddes, L. Bumpology: The Myth-busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-to-be.
- Glicksman, M. and DiGeronimo, T. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth.
- Ricciotti, H. and Connelly, V. The Pregnancy Cookbook.
Web Pages
Source
- Diekman, S., et al. A survey of OB-GYNs on their patients’ alcohol use during pregnancy.
Note
- This site does not give advice. Please see your doctor for questions and advice.