This statistic disturbs me: About 12% of all pregnant women drink alcoholic beverages, and about 2% of those binge-drink. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who surveyed the drinking habits of pregnant women from 1991 to 2005.
Alcohol can cause irreversible harm to a developing child.
Heaving drinking- the regular consumption of beer, wine or hard liquor- when expecting may lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FAS is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in the US. It also causes learning disabilities, birth defects, and emotional and behavioral problems.
Far less alcohol can cause lasting problems for children, too. As little as one drink a week increases the risk of having a child that is significantly shorter and more likely to be underweight later in life, and boosts the chances of behavior problems in children, such as aggressive and delinquent behaviors. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weigh babies, and stillbirth.
Also troubling is that the drinking rate for pregnant women has remained stable, despite warnings from the U.S. Surgeon General to the contrary.
If you took an occasional drink before you discovered you were pregnant, chances are no harm was done. Discuss any concerns about your alcohol intake with your doctor or nurse-midwife.
You won’t miss the alcohol when you sip this delicious and nutritious mock-tail:
Iced Tea Lemonade
Lemonade
It’s worth it to make your own lemonade. This homemade version contains far more beneficial plant compounds called phytonutrients than the store-bought kind.
4 cups water
3 whole lemons
1/2 cup sugar
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Meanwhile, thinly slice the lemons. Add the sugar to the boiling water, stirring until it is dissolved. Pour the sugar-water mixture into a large heat-safe pitcher. Add the lemons and stir well. Refrigerate until chilled.
To make Iced Tea Lemonade, pour 4 ounces lemonade and 4 ounces decaffeinated or regular unsweetened ice tea into a large glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.
Enjoy!