I was very young when I got pregnant for the first time. I was in the prime of my partying years; staying out until the wee hours of the morning drinking with friends, going to after hour parties and visiting the local 24 hour diner for a very early breakfast full of greasy bacon and scrambled eggs. And then the plus sign on my pregnancy test stick put an end to all of that.
Forty weeks can be a long time to go without any alcohol, but when you’re growing a baby in your tummy you need to suck it up and do it. The Newly Non-Drinking Girl’s Guide to Pregnancy
With this book the authors, Jackie Rose and Caroline Angel RN, PhD, give us a humorous ride through an alcohol-free pregnancy. And they’ve covered everything from the day you find out you’re pregnant to breastfeeding. The book is filled with tons of helpful advice. And 50 mocktail recipes so you can enjoy your favorite drinks, sans alcohol. Heck, these recipes look so yummy I’m going to try some of them out even though I can drink the real thing.
In the book, Rose and Angel explain why it’s important to stay sober during pregnancy. And they aren’t afraid to give you all the facts; including the sometimes terrifying effects alcohol can have on your baby. If you were unsure as to how that beer binge will effect your baby, chapter two will clear it all up for you.
If you aren’t ready to tell your co-workers or friends about your new bundle of joy, Rose and Angel help you out with that too. They include several tips on how to keep your pregnancy a secret even when you used to be the office lush and now drink only water. These include things like pretending you have an illness or make sure you bring your car everywhere so you can pull the designated driver card.
They offer ideas on how to handle events where you would normally drink, such as office parties, client lunches, barbecues and birthday parties. It can be hard going to your old watering hole, watching everybody else drink while you sip away at your juice. But with these tips you can feel more comfortable.
There is a chapter on homemade Happy Hours and catching a buzz the non-alcoholic way. They suggest things like a relaxing bubble bath and shopping. Or getting high on exercise, chocolate or spa treatments.
If you just can’t stop drinking on your own and need some professional help, you will find a list of excellent organizations to help you stay sober. There’s no shame in seeking help. You have a baby to take care of and getting help just proves you are already a good mom trying to do everything you can for your baby.
This is a great book for a newly pregnant woman. Even if you aren’t a heavy drinker, this is a very entertaining read with tons of ideas to really enjoy social events and activities alcohol free. And the 50 mocktail recipes alone are worth the $12.95 for the book.
