Video calling for alcohol during pregnancy sparked controversy: psychologist calls it harmful

Even a small amount of alcohol can be fatal

Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga, introducing the clip, once again urged the public to pay attention to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. “Although every family wants to have healthy children, there is a part that behaves irresponsibly. We are not only talking about disorders that are very serious when a woman does not drink but drinks and it is very difficult for them to stop drinking, but we are talking about women who are not addicted and are free to decide to stop drinking. Unfortunately, it must be said that even a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy can have serious consequences. I would like to want to act consciously, not only for those women, but also for those families who plan to have children. Because the largest injuries are made in the first weeks of pregnancy. The later, the smaller these effects will be, but they are still important ”, said the minister.

Starting next week, the video is scheduled to be played on public transportation and other media screens. It will also invite celebrities to share it on their social networks.

“Alcohol use is already a problem, but it is much more painful when a pregnant woman consumes it. Even if it is in small amounts. This is what causes fetal alcohol syndrome, which is not curable, but can actually be With this social campaign, we want to draw public attention to this issue and spread the message that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Therefore, we invite all mothers to remain aware, not to give up love for themselves and their future child, ”said Minister A. Veryga.

It’s true that after the clip was posted, some people questioned its suitability. The psychologist Karilė Levickaitė shared a post criticizing this video on her Facebook account. According to her, it is stigmatizing and harmful. “I saw the presentation of a promotional video to educate the public about alcohol use by pregnant women at a SAM press conference. That’s too bad. Urgent diagnoses and developmental disorders in children sound terrible in a social sense. How will society understand? What did mothers of children with learning, behavioral, and emotional or developmental disabilities drink? Are we seriously bullying society with children with disabilities and mental health difficulties? And without intimidation, we can no longer imagine communication? Scary. Unprofessional. I am insensitive, “wrote the psychologist in her story.

No exact numbers

According to statistical data, although in Lithuania in 2018, only 0.1% used alcohol or drugs. mothers, in practice the numbers are much higher. This is also confirmed by the director of the Kaunas Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Prof. Dr. Rūta Nadišauskienė, claiming that it is extremely difficult to determine exactly how many women consume alcohol during pregnancy, because not everyone dares to admit it.

“There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and we cannot know how that amount will affect fetal cells that develop very quickly. The statistics available to date are scarce and we cannot draw any conclusions from them. Looking at the situations that occur in practice, there are 1-2 women intoxicated per month in the Perinatology Center of the Kaunas Clinics. However, if we carry out a thorough investigation of all hospitals that claim midwifery services, I think we would get incomparably higher numbers, ”said the professor.

According to her, the first months of pregnancy are especially sensitive. “The consequences of alcohol use can be seen as a child grows: behavioral disorders, intellectual disorders, learning disorders, heart and kidney pathologies. Doctors may not always link this to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, but “Probably yes. Not even a cup is allowed. If you have drunk, don’t squash yourself, but not a single drop. The consequences can be very sad, because the fruit cannot break down alcohol,” said the professor.

According to her, alcohol enters the baby’s body through the placenta, causing blood alcohol levels equal to or even higher than those of pregnant women who have consumed alcohol. This can lead to the development of fetal alcohol syndrome with specific characteristics such as low head circumference, low nasal spine, thin upper lip. However, an even greater risk is the emotional disorders of the child, which cause a slower development of the child according to his age or behavioral and intellectual disorders that occur in old age. A great challenge is also facing the entire healthcare system to ensure the continued growth of a healthy child already born into an alcohol-affected family.

Famous mothers also contributed

The well-known Lithuanian mothers who agreed to film on a social video and become messengers of the message that alcohol and pregnancy are not compatible, also remained indifferent to this problem. Actress Ineta Stasiulytė affirms that with her contribution she wants to support all women and encourage them to solve this problem not with fear of possible consequences in life, but with love for herself and her son.

“I support these women and I understand them. You don’t need to preach or intimidate, you need to invite them to love yourself. A person does not begin to drink from a good life and, like every alcoholic, a pregnant mother who drinks has those moments when she sits alone and thinks about what she is doing with herself, with her baby. Steps as crucial as alcohol during pregnancy are born of internal disagreements and “friendship” with oneself, but by spreading the message that everything begins with love for oneself, for love for the baby, we can begin to change this situation “, says I. Stasiulytė.

She is supported by the well-known TV presenter Indrė Stonkuvienė. The woman says that she has personally heard many myths that low alcohol levels will not hurt during pregnancy. However, it is often overlooked that irresponsible behavior can have irreversible consequences. “When I was pregnant, I had received an offer to drink more than once. Others offered even knowing I was expecting and seeing nothing wrong here. Even well-known people suggested. I don’t talk about the older generation anymore. I think I need to change my habits and traditions. Forget about that Lithuanian “hospitality”. I’ll honestly say those numbers scared me. Definitely, a cup is nothing like that, “said I. Stonkuvienė.

Erika Vitulskienė, the founder of the fashion house that bears her name in the clip, does not hide that she is surprised by the choice of pregnant women to drink alcohol. According to her, every mother who respects herself and loves her children should not risk the future, health and well-being of the child in this way. Fetal alcohol syndrome is not curable, but it can be prevented by simply quitting alcohol during pregnancy.

“There are many false myths that circulate in society, and even some doctors say that a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy does not hurt. I do not think that a competent doctor can recommend alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is not good in any situation and I believe that many tragic and painful events could be avoided if we eliminated alcohol in time. Its use during pregnancy is an extremely serious problem that must be addressed by educating people and encouraging their indifference. It is not necessary to remain silent if this problem affects you or the people around you. There is help, you just want to get it, ”said E. Vitulskienė.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfCplHcl4c