Mothers in AA

A decent resource I found at the library was Before Your Pregnancy: A 90 Day Guide for Couples on How to Prepare for a Healthy Conception. Basically, the book talks about pre-natal nutrition and overall health, under the assumption that anything that's good for you while you're pregnant is good for you before you're pregnant.

It's a useful book, especially if you're the nervous type. I used the book mostly to amp up my diet and get the most bang for my grocery buck. I'm eating more broccoli because it has calcium and other good stuff in it. And it's cheap. I'm taking my pre-natal vitamin and trying to drink more milk. I'm a lucky one: I don't have to figure out how to quit smoking or lose weight. I'm in good shape.

One thing I do and will struggle with: alcohol. I love it. I love having a glass of wine with dinner. I love hanging out with friends over a beer. The days of binge drinking are long gone, but I still enjoy my drink. For me, it's one of the few luxuries I allow myself.

The book, however, says that I should just stop that now. No more alcohol for you, baby. It says that alcohol, even the slightest amount before a woman even knows she's pregnant, can affect development. This same statement was echoed by my doctor when I asked her as well.

It begs the question: WHAT CHILD IN AMERICA WAS NOT CONCEIVED ON AT LEAST ONE GLASS OF WINE??? And then I look out the window at all the imbecile children throwing rocks at each other and think, well, maybe it does matter.

So, I'm good with that. I'll not drink while I'm trying to conceive, and I'm perfectly capable of not drinking for 9 months. It'll be a sacrifice, but I can do it. But then the book goes one step further. It says (my paraphrase): "If you feel resentful about having to cut alcohol out of your life, then maybe you should sign up for AA."

That's just ridiculous. What the hell happened to moderation? This book is not only dictating what I should be doing with my body, but also what I should be doing with my emotions. Throughout the book, it describes pregnancy as a "gift" and "miracle," and babies as "a bundle of joy." Well, I think women should limit their exposure to clichés if they're trying to get pregnant.

Here's the advice of my good friend who has two healthy, beautiful girls: don't drink during your fertile days, hold off until you get your period again, and then go ahead and have a drink until you start to near ovulation. If you're keeping track, you'll know when this window takes place.

Dear ones, moderation, MODERATION, in all things. And know thyself. Wisdom of the ancients.