Mothers-to-be given mixed messages

ALAN SIMPSON

can also cause permanent, irreversible damage to a baby’s brain.

Now, a hard-hitting campaign by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is aimed at getting the message across about the risks of drinking during pregnancy.

The “no alcohol, no alcohol harm” is aimed at pregnant women and those thinking about having a baby, to highlight the risk of their child being born with FASD.

Unlike adults, babies in the womb have no capacity to metabolise alcohol, meaning it stays in their system longer than the mother’s, increasing the greater potential harm.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHSGGC director of public health, said: “Women get their information from various places, not just their doctor or midwife.

“They read books and magazines, they scour the internet, chat to their mum and other friends who have had a baby before and this means they often get mixed messages. The aim of this campaign is to set the record straight. NHSGGC will do this even when the truth is less comfortable and less welcome than the popular myths to which our society has clung for too long.

“We need to be clear that FASD is a risk, not a certainty. If you had the odd drink before you know you were pregnant the risk will be small. But it’s also just kidding yourself on to believe drinking wine with dinner most nights doesn’t really count.

“The message is the only way to guarantee your baby not being exposed to alcohol harm is to avoid alcohol completely.”

Recent research showed women in the UK and Ireland are among the world’s worst for drinking during pregnancy.

It calculated more than 40 per cent of women in the UK drink alcohol during their pregnancy, higher than the Russian rate of 36.5 per cent.

Ireland topped the list of the five worst offenders, which also featured Denmark and Belarus.

On the other end, the five countries with the lowest prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy were Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, also argued there was an “urgent need” for a worldwide FAS surveillance system.

Dr de Caestecker added: “Fetal alcohol harm is the single biggest and 100 per cent preventable cause of learning disabilities and behavioural difficulties among children, young people and adults in the UK.

“By weakening the messages about drinking in pregnancy in order not to alarm or upset anyone, we are being disrespectful to prospective mothers and fathers as they are entitled to understand the risks involved in alcohol use during pregnancy.”

Susan Calman will find out her partner tonight.