EditorialTo coincide with International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness day, FARE’s Pregnant Pause campaign warns of the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Experienced paediatrician Professor Elizabeth Elliott strongly encourages Australians to pledge their support for someone they care about during their pregnancy by taking a pause from alcohol consumption.
“Pregnant Pause is a fantastic campaign,” says Professor Elliott. “It’s absolutely crucial that partners and families support woman to stop drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. We know from many studies that if people around a woman are drinking it can be very difficult for her to stop.”
FASD is the most common preventable cause of non-genetic development disability in Australia and sadly there is currently no known cure.
As a Pregnant Pause Champion, Professor Elliott reinforces the message that no alcohol consumption is the safest option when pregnant in order to guarantee the health of your child:
“We know that alcohol use during pregnancy can have a whole range of adverse outcomes,” she says. “It can result in miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth rate babies. But importantly in babies who survive the pregnancy, alcohol may cause one of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
“These are a range of disorders that may be caused by maternal drinking during pregnancy, and they include birth defects, facial abnormalities and a whole range of learning, behavioural and mental health problems.”
During International FASD Awareness Day people all over the globe will be observing a minutes silence at 9:09am on 9 September, in recognition of the nine month pregnancy term, in order to raise global awareness of this cause.
Help make FASD history.
If you would like to find out more about our work or to pledge your support for alcohol free pregnancies call 1300 PAUSE 5 (1300 728 735) or visit www.pregnantpause.com.au.
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