Today brings the news that drinks giant Diageo is, apparently, going to train midwives up on the dangers of drinking in pregnancy:

Drinks firm Diageo funds pregnancy health initiative
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13740639

And I have to say, I’m feeling a bit wary. Yes sure, women probably shouldn’t drink heavily in pregnancy. By the same logic, they shouldn’t smoke, cross the road, eat certain things, and oh – don’t be stressed, either. *snorts* Now, don’t get me wrong – I personally chose to not smoke when I got pregnant because I don’t think it fair to smoke around critters that can’t run away. I had a grand total of two drinks during those nine months (a glass of wine with Christmas dinner, and a half pint of cider at a social outing), because I managed to beat my problems with alcohol and don’t feel like I need alcohol to make me ‘sane’. As for oysters and runny cheeses? Not a fan – I’ll leave those for those who are.

But does that mean that suddenly every woman who becomes pregnant becomes a non-entity, a slave to a developing bundle of cells? Oh heeeeeells no, and it makes me very happy that I’m not in the US where said bundle of cells apparently now takes precedence over the already alive and conscious life of the mother (I know, only in certain states). You have no right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do to my body, even if I am carrying a life. Oh sure, there’s common sense things that should be followed (like not taking known abortifacients to induce labour – the hint is in the name, ladies :p), and there’s nothing wrong with providing as much information as humanly possible.

I know that’s a big afield, so I’ll bring it back around. My concern is that with there being what I consider dangerous views being given airtime in this country (nutcase Nadine’s push for abstinence-only education and an anti-abortion group being given airtime on sexual health), how long before guidelines like this start becoming bludgeoning policy? And why a drinks company? I don’t have a good feeling about this, especially considering how many people seem resentful of parents, families, and parenthood in this day and age. Just feels like it could be a sneaky backdoor way of saying ‘If you hadn’t had that baby, you could be enjoying a tall cool Smirnoff on the Rocks!’

Or… shizz, really, I just resent pressure to conform to anything, ha ha. I’m happy to make my own informed decisions, but not to be bludgeoned with should do and must do. My first pregnancy experience was blessedly bereft of this; I guess, perhaps, they assume homebirthers know more? But there’s also the whole guilt factor that comes in with not following guidelines if you’re beaten about the head and shoulders with them; we see this a lot with the pressure to breastfeed. Why stress women out and make them feel like nothing but a vessel over cheese, or a glass of wine for that one special dinner? It’s silly – deal with your own body, and I’ll deal with mine. 😉

‘But oh, I mean well and I just want to help people be healthier and happier!’ – doesn’t work if you’re being McPushypants. *chuckles* Present your arguments and points intelligently and let people make up their mind for themselves. I know that we all have things where we are confident we absolutely know best, and I admit to having been a bit of a McPushypants in my time, but we should all keep in mind that we’re different, and respect that. ‘Cause that’s good neighborship-ma-bob! *nods*

Erm… yes. My brain is a bit all over the place, as is my way. But hey, if you happen to like my random rambles, why don’t you go vote for me, or recommend me to a friend? The more people I get to play with, the rounder my viewpoints can become. *grins*

<3!