Can We Really Argue for Moderation?

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