By Anne M. Schumacher

Recently, both the New York Times and The Chicago Sun Times ran articles about drinking during pregnancy.  Both stories included reader’s comments, and the consensus seemed to be that moderate drinking while pregnant seemed OK.  The mother’s who wrote in, mostly moms who gave birth in the 60’s and 70’s, spoke with pride of their perfectly normal grown children, stable and well adjusted, and the fact that they enjoyed social drinking during their pregnancies, often at the advise of their doctors.  It struck me as a rather one sided discussion, as I believe these woman are the lucky ones, and that for each one who took the time to write in, there are an equal number of women whose children are struggling with developmental and behavioral issues, and whose mom’s are left wondering.  Did my few drinks during that pregnancy have anything to do with all of this?  And let’s face it; this type of haunting question is not the stuff we want to write the newspaper about.

Through scientific research, we make discoveries constantly.  Most of what we learn, we take in stride, for it requires no action on our part.    But this is what we know about alcohol and pregnancy.  Alcohol is toxic to the developing embryo/fetus.  Alcohol freely crosses the placenta, and when the mother drinks, the baby drinks.  In high doses and with frequent use, terrible defects are known to occur.  No one argues this fact.  But are we willing to address the logical question that follows?  What damage is a low dose causing?  Our scientists have already told us about below normal height and weight; about smaller head circumference, and about diminished IQ.  Yet the argument for moderation continues.

My friends recently considered the purchase of an older home in the Pittsburgh area.  The home inspector noted the presence of lead based paint on the doors and windowsills.   With three young children, this became an unacceptable condition, and the owners were required to amend the problem; not is some rooms, or in most of the house, but every single speck.

When the terrible deformities caused by the drug thalidomide became known in the early 1960’s, there was no discussion of lowering the dose, but instead a swift and total ban.  Can our views toward drinking during pregnancy be any different? 

The wisdom of zero tolerance can be found in the self-regulated, highly disciplined policy of airline pilots.  Who among us would take the stance that it would be acceptable for the man or woman flying us to our destination could or should be allowed to have say, one beer, or a glass of wine with lunch before taking the controls?  If that policy is extreme, or errs on the side of caution, it is distinctly pro-passenger.  How could we provide any less caution for our tiniest of passengers? 

As a woman, a mother, and a registered nurse, I see the urgent need to raise both public and professional awareness to the unacceptable risk of drinking even the smallest amount during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.  Please review the mission, goals and strategies found in this blog and please consider a tax-deductible gift of support.

Anne is a registered nurse, mother of two adult children and the eldest daughter of Dr. Richard R. O’Toole

By State Representative Robert F. Hagan

Unlike many groups that deal with the problems associated with alcohol consumption, The Dr. Richard R. O’Toole Pediatric Fund is indeed unique.

Areas of concern to us, such as underage drinking and drunk driving, cross every section of society, and involve boys and girls, men and women.

But the perils of drinking while pregnant, in any amount or frequency, falls only to women.  This is not to say men don’t have an important role in helping pregnant women abstain, just that there is to date no empirical evidence that a man’s drinking has any negative effect on the development of the fetus.  As a legislator, I will admit that I found myself thinking long and hard before agreeing to serve the Board of Directors.

After all, our critics might suggest that any message we bring forward will have a marginalizing effect, and that we are crossing the line of “rights” and of “choices”.  Some might even argue that our pro-child message is also anti-woman.  But I don’t see it that way. 

There is new information available from scientific research.  Using every available resource, we must bring this information forward.  This process will not infringe on choices but will enable and empower women to make choices, and ultimately protect our unborn. 

In February 2005, the U.S. surgeon general issued the warning that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes birth defects, and that no amount of alcohol during pregnancy can be considered safe.   I was surprised to discover so few people aware of this message, and that up to 15% of pregnant women continue to drink while pregnant.  We must work to reduce that number. 

Please consider a tax-deductible gift in support of the work of The Dr. Richard R. O’Toole Pediatric Fund.

Sincerely,

Rep. Robert F. Hagan

Representative Hagan has served the Ohio Legislature for two decades, and has championed many issues dealing with family and children.  He was recently honored by the Ohio Association of non profits for his tireless efforts.

New study links alcohol in pregnancy to child behaviour problems

A new study from Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has found evidence that the amount and timing of alcohol consumption in pregnancy affects child behaviour in different ways.

Read the full article from Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

Did you know that Allegheny County supports more non-profit organizations then any other area of the United States?  I believe the vast majority are worthy causes, and each must rely to some degree on public support for sustainability.  The Dr. Richard R. O’Toole Pediatric Fund is no different.  But we hope to add a unique twist to increasing public support in 2010 and beyond.

Our goals include building new services that most consumers already need.  Then, we want to present our services to you with this simple request.  If you are going to purchase this service/product/good anyway, why not consider us as your merchant?

In future posts, and as we build this site, we will define our services for you.  We will build on the “locavore” movement….the purchase and consumption of locally grown and produced products.  Quality and fair pricing will be our overriding emphasis. 

All of our farm stands will reopen in 2010.  I look forward to telling you more about them in the near future.