As researchers we don't know how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink during pregnancy. Evidence shows that the risk of harm to the fetus is greater the more alcohol the mother consumes and that binge drinking is harmful. Not all children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy will be affected or affected to the same degree and a broad range of effects are possible. The level of risk to the fetus is hard to predict.
In 2009 the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
released an updated version of the Australian Guidelines to Reduce
Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol. These guidelines aim to
communicate evidence concerning these risks to the Australian
community to allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding
the amount of alcohol they choose to consume. There are four key
guidelines in the document.
- Guideline 1: Reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime
- Guideline 2: Reducing the risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking
- Guideline 3: Children and young people under 18 years of age
- Guideline 4: Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Maternal alcohol consumption can harm the developing foetus or breastfeeding baby.
A. For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option.
B. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.
For full details read the NHMRC
Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking
Alcohol
NHMRC Number of standard drinks in
various beverages
The National
Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders
(NOFASARD) which provides information, advocacy, education and
support to assist carers and those working with and affected by
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and related disorders; and works towards the
prevention of these conditions in Australia; supports this
guideline on alcohol use in pregnancy. NOFASARD also states:
"Please don't be alarmed if you are already pregnant and have
been drinking small amounts of alcohol - the risk to your baby is
low and stopping drinking at any time increases your chances of a
healthy pregnancy. If you don't think you can stop drinking
it is important to ask for help and discuss your alcohol intake
with your doctor or midwife. It is also important to get good
antenatal care, take folic acid and have a healthy diet."
Every parent's goal is to have a healthy and happy
baby.
If you would like to talk to someone about stopping drinking and the effects of alcohol; or want to find a service in your state or territory, the following websites provide information on services and organisations around Australia. These links do not imply any endorsement, support or commercial gain by the Alcohol and Pregnancy Research Group or the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Western Australia) and Brochure
Women's Health and Family Services (Perth, Western Australia)
The Women's Alcohol and Drug Service (Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne Victoria)
Alcohol and drug treatment and information services
Drug and Alcohol Services - National, State and Territory Services and Organisations