The number of Australian woman who back zero-alcohol pregnancies has shot up in recent years – but misunderstanding persists about the potential effect on foetuses and newborn babies.
DrinkWise said new research had revealed that 91 per cent of Australians agree that it is safer to not drink alcohol at all during a pregnancy, with that number rising to 94 per cent for women aged 18 to 44.
That is far higher than previous years, up from 76 per cent in 2019 and even from 82 per cent just last year.
But, DrinkWise found, only 58 per cent of Australians were aware that foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is “100 per cent preventable”.
FASD encompasses a range of conditions that result from a foetus being exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
It can affect the growing child’s nourishment and nervous system, including the brain.
Ahead of International FASD Awareness Day on September 9, Carson urged all would-be mothers to avoid drinking entirely while trying for a baby, while pregnant, and while breastfeeding.
About 51 per cent said they would stop drinking, while 40 per cent said they would switch to zero-alcohol beverages.
Australian Diamonds netballer and nutritionist Gretel Bueta has teamed with DrinkWise to help push the message, just weeks after she announced the birth of her second child.
“Not drinking during this time was a really easy choice for me. I know a healthy baby is never a given and I wanted to give my babies the best possible start in life and me the best possible start to life as a mum,” she said.
“I knew not drinking through the entire pregnancy and breastfeeding journey is one thing I could do to give our baby every chance to thrive.”
(9 NEWS)
