Expecting mothers get alcohol warning

Health experts in the North East are warning women about the dangers drinking during pregnancy.

Alcohol campaign group Balance says the advice follows a year which has seen millions more adults including parents with young children drinking at high-risk levels and highlighting International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can raise the risk of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a lifelong condition caused by exposure to alcohol in pregnancy, which can cause a range of physical, mental and behavioural problems for children.

Susan Taylor, head of alcoholpolicy for Balance, said: “Alcohol affects the lives of so many families in local communities and yet there is still such low awareness of FASD. It is also a concern that this last 18 months have seen such high levels of alcohol consumption.

“Pregnancy can be a confusing and scary time and we know there are lots of myths out there around drinking and pregnancy. The official advice from the NHS and Chief Medical Officer is that the safest option when you’re expecting or trying to conceive is to avoid alcohol altogether.

“Alcohol companies have massive budgets to spend on unrelenting promotion of Prosecco, glamorous looking gins and skinny seltzers, which we know particularly appeal to women.

“More needs to bed one to support women who wish to reduce their drinking. The Government should take measures to restrict the constant promotion of alcohol and ensure products display appropriate health labelling, including warnings.”