This episode discusses women's alcohol use in pregnancy and motherhood. The conversation covers the current UK alcohol recommendations for pregnant women, the reasons for changes in these recommendations over the years, and the research on alcohol and women. The discussion also explores fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the prevalence rates of alcohol-exposed pregnancies.
The conversation delves into the reasons why women drink, including social factors and loneliness. It also examines the influence of social media and marketing on women's drinking habits. The perception of harmful drinking and the challenges of stopping drinking are also discussed. This conversation explores the challenges of communicating the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as the broader issues surrounding women's drinking habits. The chapters cover topics such as the difficulties faced by health professionals in discussing alcohol with pregnant women, the importance of language and identity in these conversations, and the need for clear and consistent messaging.
The conversation also addresses the confusion around breastfeeding and drinking, the individual factors that influence alcohol metabolism, and the gendered expectations and judgments faced by women. Finally, it highlights the availability of support networks and the importance of improving support within traditional healthcare services.
Takeaways
The UK alcohol recommendations for pregnant women have changed over the years, with the current guideline being abstinence.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a broader term that encompasses any neurodevelopmental harms associated with drinking during pregnancy.
Women's drinking habits can change during motherhood, with alcohol often being used as a way to de-stress and cope with the responsibilities of parenting.
The drinking culture and societal expectations play a significant role in women's alcohol use, and marketing often reinforces the idea that alcohol is a reward or a way to bond with others.
Stopping drinking can be challenging, and support is essential for women who want to reduce or abstain from alcohol during pregnancy and motherhood.
Help & Support
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, the following organisations can provide help and support:
BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
Alcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.uk
Soberistas: https://soberistas.com
Club Soda: https://joinclubsoda.com
Sober Girl: https://sobergirlsociety.com
National Organisation of FASD: https://nationalfasd.org.uk
UK Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org
Credits
"Mindful Merseyside" is brought to you by the Institute for Health Research at Liverpool John Moores University.
Guest Series Presenter: Gemma Cutting. Produced and distributed by Innobella Media.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:18 UK Alcohol Recommendations for Pregnant Women
04:11 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
06:05 Reasons for Women's Drinking
08:03 Changes in Drinking Habits During Motherhood
10:47 Social Factors and Loneliness
13:33 Influence of Social Media and Marketing
15:24 Rewarding with Alcohol
18:39 High Rates of Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy
21:00 Drinking Culture and Expectations
22:24 Difficulty in Stopping Drinking
24:12 Challenges in Communicating the Risks
25:09 Improving Communication with Health Professionals
26:05 Language and Identity
26:32 Difficulties Faced by Midwives
27:25 Understanding the Risks and Asking the Right Questions
27:55 Personal Experience and Making Informed Decisions
28:51 Clear and Consistent Messaging
30:07 Confusion around Breastfeeding and Drinking
31:30 Alcohol Metabolism and Guidelines
33:17 Making Information Accessible for Women
37:09 Gendered Expectations and Judgments
39:03 Support for Women with Unhealthy Relationships with Alcohol
46:51 Improving Support within Traditional Healthcare Services