Drinking and smoking during pregnancy

Why should I give up smoking during pregnancy?

Most people know that smoking during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby so if either you or your partner is a smoker, you should really give up.

Passive smoking near your partner is also dangerous – if she breathes in your smoke, your baby takes in harmful carbon monoxide. Less oxygen and nutrients reach the womb and your baby’s heart has to work harder to try and get what oxygen it can. And of course, when your baby is born, any smoke you breathe on them could still put their health at risk.

By giving up smoking now, you’ll help get your baby off to a better start in life and you’ll also have been a non-smoker for longer, making it easier to resist smoking once your baby is born.

Cutting down on alcohol during pregnancy

Government guidelines recommend that your partner should avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking more than two units a day means your baby is more likely to have problems with learning, speech and attention span. Drinking over six units a day could put them at risk of developing Foetal Alcohol Syndrome – a severe condition.

By giving up or cutting down on alcohol during pregnancy yourself, you’ll be offering her valuable support and keeping yourself in the best health for being a dad. If you do decide to cut down rather than give up and you drink at home or with friends, keep in mind that lots of people tend to be generous with their alcohol pouring. The recommended daily limit for men is 3–4 units of alcohol in a day.

One unit is:

• ½ pint of ordinary strength beer, lager, or cider
• ¼ pint of strong beer or lager
• 1 small glass of wine
• 1 single measure of spirits
• 1 small glass of sherry