Tips to Avoid Alcohol While Pregnant
A drink is any liquid intended for human consumption intended to be consumed quickly and effectively. In addition to their primary function of quenching thirst, most drinks also play important symbolic roles in modern society. Popular types of drinks are milk, fruit, tea, water and other warm drinks. Historically, warm drinks have included hot chocolate, tea, coffee and even hot dogs.
One of the earliest known references to the idea of drinking came from a legend of the ancient civilization of the Indus Valley. It was the teachings of the Vastu that men were to wear clothing made of leather because the cold climate posed a threat to the male sex’s health. Among the numerous liquids the ancient Indian society practiced, one of the most important was water. It was considered a vital fluid that gave health benefits as well as preventing evil spirits from taking possession of the body. A number of remedies were suggested including milk to drink in order to protect the wearer; a cloth wrapped around the head to keep the head warm; and, of course, a glass of water.
The word “drink” itself is related to the Ancient Greek word “draca”, which meant both “drawing water” and “to drink”. In addition, “drink” has also come to refer to any liquid beverage that causes the user to drink more than usual. This definition excludes today’s popular beverage products such as “soda” and “pop”. Today, beverages like orange juice, tea and water are often viewed as drinks that promote health.
The popularity of drinks such as tea, coffee and cocoa is due largely to the fact that these products are thought to be stimulants. Distilled alcohol, however, contains no caffeine while the caffeine content in various forms of caffeine is below the amount that can cause intoxication in most people. Caffeine in alcoholic beverages is present because of the fermentation process. The presence of other chemicals is what makes alcohol addictive. Thus, drinking a few ounces of a product with caffeine in it may not cause intoxication, but consuming a product that contains significant amounts of caffeine will increase the likelihood of experiencing the side effects of drinking intoxicants.
The term “intoxicate” refers to any substance that causes an abnormally high level of blood pressure or other dangerous physical responses. These effects do not usually occur after consuming the same volume of a drink containing alcohol. For example, drinking two ounces of brandy will likely not cause a person to become extremely intoxicated. However, if drinking that same amount of brandy two hours later causes someone to have hallucinations, seizures, drowsiness and the shakes, they may have consumed a form of alcohol that is considered “intoxicated”. Many states have laws pertaining to DUI and other forms of intoxicant abuse/addiction.
In comparison to wine, spirits and liqueurs, the amount of alcohol in a standard drink may not be large enough to cause intoxication. However, there are many drinks that should be avoided when pregnant because they will increase the possibility of miscarriage. Because women in their second and third trimester may experience the full effects of alcohol, it is important for them to avoid consuming any alcoholic beverages. Consulting with one’s OB-Gyne before purchasing alcohol to avoid complications is the best way to stay healthy while avoiding alcohol altogether.