Cologne - Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the most common cause of physical and mental damage to a baby developing in the womb, according to Germany's federal centre for health education. Pregnant women therefore should not drink alcohol especially because there is no limit under which alcohol consumption could be recommended as safe, the centre said.
Despite this fact, recent scientific studies show 12 per cent to 15 per cent of pregnant women consume alcohol once or more per month.
Drinking habits often are learned over a long period of time. Pregnant women should therefore seek alternatives such as alcohol-free cocktails, the centre advises in a new guide.
Alcohol-free cocktails can be both tasty and imaginative, and they allow a pregnant woman to enjoy a social gathering or event with a drink that is socially acceptable.
Pregnant women also can find relaxation through activities such as reading, yoga and meditation. There also are special herbal and spice teas that can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy.
It's important for pregnant women to learn constructive ways to deal with anxiety and boredom. This includes finding new strategies for solving conflicts and avoiding situations in which too much is demanded of them by realistically planning tasks.
A reward system also can help pregnant women successfully do without alcohol. This might come in the form of praise for having done without a drink or it might include something more substantial like a visit to the cinema or buying a CD.
The centre said expectant mothers often have the wrong idea about the results of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It advises midwives and obstetricians to discuss the problem with their patients regularly during prenatal care visits.
In addition to explaining the damage that alcohol consumption can cause their unborn child, health care professionals also should offer treatment for addiction when necessary. And they should recognize women who are successful in abstaining from alcohol.
