topic Re: More Happy News in Community Chat

More Happy News

Oznell — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 12:57:36 GMT

Studies have shown that the rate of women drinking while pregnant has dropped to an all-time low this spring. Increased awareness of the effect of alcohol on fetuses, especially through point-of-sale signage, is credited with the drop. The decrease was most notable among women over 30 who are heavier drinkers.

This could result in countless children escaping the devastating effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. Fantastic news!

Re: More Happy News

Vivian — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:32:36 GMT

That's great news. When I was pregnant, in the year dot, the harmful effects of alcohol were not yet known. However, alcohol made me so nauseous that I couldn't drink a drop. Years later, when my daughters had their babies and more was known about the dire effects of alcohol, I felt very grateful that my body knew what to do even if I didn't.

Re: More Happy News

Mominohio — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:32:29 GMT

This is good news.

I would have suspected just the opposite, based soley on my observances of the many women I know of child bearing age that drink wine, and daily.

I wonder what the studies are based on, as I would suspect that this might be something that people aren't always honest about in a survey or a study.

Re: More Happy News

Oznell — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:48:12 GMT

Hi, mominohio. I do hope the results are accurate. This info was discussed in a paper presented by Gulcan Cil in the Journal of Health Economics. I think they said the data was culled from 23 states, which wouldn't necessarily be conclusive, but does seem hopeful, at least.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170418135250.htm

Re: More Happy News

RetRN — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 14:29:37 GMT

That is good news. However, I would like to see a study of how many are using opioids, cocaine, and meth. Some pretty shocking stuff going on out there.

Re: More Happy News

ROMARY — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 15:33:48 GMT

RetRN: Yes. I've been thinking that maybe breast feeding moms should be tested each month for various recreational dr*gs. I'm only guessing that many don't think about it; and do they give them a list (before they leave the hospital) of what not to do while breast feeding. (?) If not, they should. In large letters, not teeny font letters. ( Btw, I always ask the pharmacy to include medication information is large print. Especially for senior friends, neighbors, family. Can't see much re: small print without using a magnifying glass.)

Re: More Happy News

MickD — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:24:06 GMT

Before I was pregnant I drank wine everyday. Once I was pregnant ...no way. I breastfed and had a scary experience with my son. He was about 3 months old. I ate a spring roll that had cabbage in it, and he was sick and gassy for a day. I felt so awful and really watched what I ate after that.....was the healthiest I've ever been for my son.

I just can't even imagine the poor health - long term of babies born drug addicted. When I worked with mentally ill women who were pregnant and taking psychotropics I wondered how those would affect the children as well. Tough call....

Re: More Happy News

Oznell — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:41:46 GMT

Good point, RetRN. The whole opioid and other drug aspect is terribly worrisome.

Re: More Happy News

chrystaltree — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:58:39 GMT

@RetRN wrote:
That is good news. However, I would like to see a study of how many are using opioids, cocaine, and meth. Some pretty shocking stuff going on out there.

True and we, as a society, are all going to pay the price for it for many decades to come. The babies are born with serious birth defects, cognitive deficits, developmental delay, attachement issues. All the result of the mother's drug use. Drug use is on the rise so it isn't stopping those women from using drugs or getting pregnant.

Re: More Happy News

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 18:35:15 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@RetRN wrote:
That is good news. However, I would like to see a study of how many are using opioids, cocaine, and meth. Some pretty shocking stuff going on out there.

True and we, as a society, are all going to pay the price for it for many decades to come. The babies are born with serious birth defects, cognitive deficits, developmental delay, attachement issues. All the result of the mother's drug use. Drug use is on the rise so it isn't stopping those women from using drugs or getting pregnant.

I remember back in the 1980's, some 30+ years ago, people were concerned about babies being born to drug addicted mothers.

How did those kids turn out?

Re: More Happy News

ROMARY — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 19:51:54 GMT

I just thought of something: Maybe 'problem' children (overly energetic and/or overly screaming/crying/agitated most of the time) are the ones who are being breast fed by moms who are using various OTC and other meds/dr*gs/recreational whatevers, etc. Could be in the childrens' blood systems, directly from their moms. ....p.s. Same with, say, moms drinking much too much strong coffee all day long. Wouldn't the caffeine be in their babies' bloodstreams? (Just a fleeting thought, of course.)

Re: More Happy News

chrystaltree — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 02:13:34 GMT

I think no.....and no.

Re: More Happy News

tansy — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 02:26:02 GMT

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
That's great news. When I was pregnant, in the year dot, the harmful effects of alcohol were not yet known. However, alcohol made me so nauseous that I couldn't drink a drop. Years later, when my daughters had their babies and more was known about the dire effects of alcohol, I felt very grateful that my body knew what to do even if I didn't.

I look back at pictures of my mother pregnant with me, martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other...

Re: More Happy News

Cakers3 — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 16:37:46 GMT

Look at the series "Call the Midwife". So much smoking by pregnant women!!

Thanks @Oznell - another good report!!

Re: More Happy News

Cakers3 — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 16:50:55 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
@RetRN wrote:
That is good news. However, I would like to see a study of how many are using opioids, cocaine, and meth. Some pretty shocking stuff going on out there.

True and we, as a society, are all going to pay the price for it for many decades to come. The babies are born with serious birth defects, cognitive deficits, developmental delay, attachement issues. All the result of the mother's drug use. Drug use is on the rise so it isn't stopping those women from using drugs or getting pregnant.

I remember back in the 1980's, some 30+ years ago, people were concerned about babies being born to drug addicted mothers.

How did those kids turn out?

@Plaid Pants2 If you are referring to the "crack babies" the dire predictions for those babies did not come true. In fact, those babies grew to be more damaged by poverty, not having had a drug addicted mother.

Many of the "studies" beginning the '80's only included handfuls of crack addicted mothers.

There are numerous reliable studies out there on this issue, from major medical publications.