Booze Shatters Babies' Brain Matters

The consumption of Alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding has the potential to cause significant and irreversible effects on a child’s health and wellbeing. A recent survey conducted by the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER, 2010) has indicated that 30% of women surveyed admit to drinking alcohol while pregnant despite the overriding belief that alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy (90% of Australians) and breastfeeding (87% of Australians). It would appear that while women are aware that alcohol consumption has an effect they are not aware of the extent of the impact.

Research also indicates that 91% of Australian women believe that health professionals are the best source of information about alcohol use in pregnancy (University of WA, 2009). Hence, the focus of the Amend Program’s Drug Action Week event 2010 is to distribute resource kits to health professionals to assist in increasing women’s awareness of the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Download your resource kit below.