No safe amount or time for alcohol in pregnancy

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s Supporting Healthier Pregnancies Initiative (SHPI) is encouraging families to make informed choices about alcohol during pregnancy, following emerging data identifying that more women are drinking in early pregnancy.

SHPI clinical midwife consultant Shannon Lambert said local perinatal data showed the number of women drinking alcohol in early pregnancy had increased by 147 per cent over the past 12 months, particularly within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

She said the sharp increase was a concern and highlighted the need for clear, up-to-date information and support to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

“Current research demonstrates that there is no safe amount, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy,” Ms Lambert said.

“Alcohol passes directly to the baby at every stage and can cause harm even before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

“Even small amounts of alcohol during conception and pregnancy can be harmful to the baby.”

Factors like genetics, metabolism and diet all influence the risk of alcohol use in conception and pregnancy, which can make it difficult to predict individual outcomes.

Alcohol has been linked to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Evidence has shown as many as one in 13 pregnancies exposed to alcohol results in FASD, the leading cause of neurodevelopmental disorders and birth defects in Australian children.

Ms Lambert said, according to their data, alcohol use was most prevalent in early pregnancy, often before women became aware they were pregnant.

“If you’re planning a pregnancy or might become pregnant, it is safest not to drink alcohol,” Ms Lambert said.

“The next safest option is to stop drinking alcohol as soon as possible in the pregnancy.”

She also said partners had a responsibility to monitor their alcohol consumption.

“Men’s alcohol consumption when trying to conceive also matters, as drinking can change sperm, and increase the chances of lifelong behavioural and emotional challenges for children,” she said.

“Partners and family play a critical role in supporting women to have an alcohol-free pregnancy, as women are more likely not to drink if their support network also abstains or cuts back.”

Ms Lambert said support was available for pregnant women and couples who are trying for a baby and finding it hard not to drink alcohol.

“Please reach out to your health practitioner or maternity care provider for help to safely stop drinking,” she said.

“The SHPI aims to improve long term public health by embedding sustainable preventive health practices into pregnancy care, improving pregnancy outcomes.

“We know that pregnancy is a time when women and families are motivated to make behavioural changes that improve their health, and the health of their developing baby, and our aim is to support those changes without judgement.

“Small changes can make a big difference, together we can improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for our children, families and communities for future generations”.

For more information to learn about the effects of alcohol, speak with your healthcare provider, visit nofasd.org.au, fare.org.au or call the National Alcohol & other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.