The Observer today reported that the UK Government will tell all women who are pregnant should not drink alcohol or not to drink alcohol while trying to become pregnant. The new proposed guidlines may include sticking warning labels on bottles of wine, spirits and beer.

As expected the Drinks Industry are'nt overly impressed with this saying that the governments own advice to expectant mothers, allows them to have up to two units a day for a couple of days a week. Being pregnant is'nt the most pleasant experience of a womans life, as discomfort in the shape of back-pain, swollen ankles etc.makes the 40 weeks difficult, so why are the UK government now placing more fear into womens minds, by suggesting that an occasional glass of wine, or a glass of Guinness, will in someway harm the baby that they are carrying.

I am not advocating binge drinking while a woman is pregnant, and alcohol in excess is bad for you,indeed anything in excess is bad for you, but this playing on peoples fears is wrong.My own mother, does'nt drink at all and had 5 of us,while pregnant she had ,along with other wierd cravings like licking washed coal?,  a 1/2 pint bottle of Guinness every Friday night, I think she may have put warm milk into it on occasion, and we all turned out alright. When my own wife was pregnant , we asked if it would be ok to have a glass of wine with dinner, to which the doctor replied of course, it'll be good for you and the baby as you will become relaxed, he did point out that moderation is key. We as expectant parents knew that "going on the piss" was'nt the best for baby, so why is the UK government treating people like complete moron's?

Indeed The Royal College of Midmives has said that it does not tell people to give up drinking totally, and while they say "going dry" was the most favoured route,"we don't feel there is anything wrong with having the odd drink" but the govenment will probably say "what would they know?".

It is also reported that people who want to become pregnant should not drink, for feck sake, half of the people in this world are as a result of a nice romantic night out, and a prolonged cuddle afterwards. I can see a young couple out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary, holding hands, looking lovenly at each other, knowing that its time to start a family, the waiter comes and asks what wine they would like, they reply none two glasses of milk please... it just does'nt work.

Would'nt it be nice for the money that will be spent on this, to be spent on more worthy projects.

Add a comment

 | Link | back to top |

Blacksheep, you're spot on again. Why can't the government focus on important issues rather than sticking labels on a bottle of wine. It's madness.

I think in the next step the government will issue a complete "how to" guideline - with explicit examples from Tony and Cherie

Who do think would go down first?