Pregnant Pause: Our family is growing

We’re excited about our new arrival.

Pregnant Pause, the innovative health promotion campaign that asks participants to take a break from alcohol during their pregnancy or the pregnancy of a loved one has relaunched, bigger and brighter, in the ACT.

Fittingly, our new Pregnant Pause website went live last weekend just in time for Mother’s Day.

Now FARE is asking Canberra residents to give the gift that truly lasts a lifetime.

Supported by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program, the campaign will be working closely with local partners over the next three years (2016-2019) to encourage as many Canberrans to make the pledge to go alcohol free and contribute to healthier ACT kids.

The campaign will feature an extensive digital and social media component coupled with broadcast advertisements on television and radio, community activities and events throughout the next few months leading up to International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day on 9 September.

Local Canberra media personalities, Kristen and Rod from the popular Mix106.3FM breakfast radio program have come on board to lend their support to the cause as Pregnant Pause Ambassadors.

There is no safe type, safe amount, or safe time to consume alcohol during pregnancy.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to a range of adverse consequences. It has been linked to miscarriage, still or premature birth, low birth weights and FASD, the umbrella term for a range of lifelong learning and developmental disabilities.

That’s why Australia’s national drinking guidelines developed by health professionals say that for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, no alcohol is the safest option.

It’s important to remember that it’s never too late to cut down or stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy, and even a small change can make a big difference for both mum and baby.

We know that this seemingly easy task of giving up alcohol can be challenging for mums-to-be – especially in a community where alcohol and socialising goes hand-in-hand and there’s a lot of anecdotal misinformation adding to the confusion.

But they don’t have to do it alone! Like getting fit, changing your diet or moving house, life is so much easier when you have support.

That’s why Pregnant Pause is a campaign which everyone can take part in.

Even if you’re not expecting, you can help a pregnant loved one – whether it’s your partner, bestie, daughter, roommate, or colleague – by taking a Pregnant Pause and pledging to go off the grog together.

Pregnant Pause wants to make it easier on mums-to-be, and aims to build a strong support system which will help women achieve an alcohol free pregnancy and raise awareness of this important health message.

Nine months. 270 days. That’s a long time to go without alcohol – but we can guarantee it will be the greatest gift you can give to a child by making sure they have the best possible start in life.

Take up the challenge and join our growing community.

Make the pledge to go alcohol free, by registering to take a Pregnant Pause today.

To keep up to date with all that is happening in the world of Pregnant Pause be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join the conversation at #PregnantPause.