For people above legal drinking age only
Don’t drink and drive
Don’t drink while pregnant
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Helping people make informed choices about alcohol.
Pregnancy
Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy – even in small quantities.
SUMMARY
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a birth defect associated with maternal drinking during pregnancy
Medical science has not established what a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy might be
FAS causes genetic and congenital anomalies, including pre- and postnatal growth deficiency, distinctive facial features and central nervous system dysfunction
Heavy drinking may be associated with infertility in women over age 30
Drinking during pregnancy can adversely affect foetal development
Estimated prevalence rates of the incidence of FAS range from 0.5 to 3 per 1,000 births
Drinking alcohol can cause a range of birth defects, including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
There is strong scientific evidence that heavy drinking during pregnancy is associated with substantial risk of lifelong harm to a child. When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol is carried through her bloodstream, through the placenta,
and into the foetus's blood. This can affect the development of the foetus and cause Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD refers to a broad range of birth defects, including FAS.
NOT ALL WOMEN WHO ARE ALCOHOL DEPENDANT OR ABUSE ALCOHOL GIVE BIRTH TO CHILDREN WITH FAS.
Other factors, such as diet, older age, smoking and illicit drug use, have been associated with congenital abnormalities.
Apart from FAS, drinking during pregnancy can cause other foetal conditions such as heart and kidney defects, hearing and sight impairment, cleft lip and other brain and central nervous system dysfunction.
Talk to your doctor or health care professional before drinking during pregnancy.
- For people above legal drinking age only
- Don’t drink and drive
- Don’t drink while pregnant