In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the wellbeing of parents-to-be and their unborn children. Proudly collaborating, we’re introducing the #DRYMESTER conversation to our local communities to ensure those who could be pregnant or planning a pregnancy understand the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the developing baby’s brain and body, resulting in various lifelong disabilities grouped as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This umbrella term encompasses over 400 known conditions, ranging from physical and mental to behavioural and learning difficulties.
A prevalence study conducted in Greater Manchester revealed that FASD might affect up to 3.6% of children, equivalent to 405 babies born annually in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. FASD is entirely preventable, so through raising awareness, we hope to reduce alcohol harm to unborn babies.
Recent studies suggest that approximately 41% of pregnant women in the UK may consume alcohol, leading to conflicting advice passed down through generations. Our campaign is based on expert advice, the Chief Medical Officers guidance: If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
We recognise that many pregnancies are unplanned, so our campaign emphasises the importance of stopping alcohol consumption at the earliest opportunity when a woman discovers she’s pregnant and equipping healthcare professionals working with parents-to-be have helpful tools to guide their conversations and reinforce that there’s NO SAFE TIME, NO SAFE AMOUNT.
View valuable tips and advice here and join us in spreading awareness to minimise risks to babies.
