Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: The Facts

Did you know that approximately 50% of pregnancies are unplanned in Aotearoa NZ and around the world?

At FASD-CAN we know that no woman intentionally harms her unborn baby and we are committed to being non-judgemental and supportive in the presence of FASD.

We know that women from any walk of life who has had an unplanned pregnancy can find themselves in this situation if they didn't know they were pregnant and continued to drink socially – it can happen to anyone.

There is only one thing that prevents FASD – zero exposure to alcohol while pregnant. But New Zealand’s drinking culture and unplanned pregnancy rate are crucial barriers to FASD being prevented. Rates of FASD will reduce when our society stops normalising heavy use of alcohol, and when women are fully informed and supported to make abstaining from alcohol the easy choice during pregnancy. 

The Growing Up in NZ study 2010, found that 71% of women reported using alcohol prior to pregnancy, or becoming aware of their pregnancy. 23% of women reported using alcohol in the first trimester, reducing to 13% after the first trimester.

Most women stopped drinking when they found out they were pregnant, but we know that there are many complex reasons why women find it hard to stop drinking, and many misconceptions around why alcohol exposure continues to happen.

The essential knowledge is that NO amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy at any stage. Everyone in a pregnant woman's whānau and community should support her in this knowledge. 

Men should also stop drinking when trying for a baby as more research is showing that alcohol can affect sperm and the genetics passed on to the pēpi / baby. 

If drinking in the early stages of an unplanned pregnancy has occurred, then stopping immediately will reduce the possibility of your baby being born with FASD. FASD-CAN strongly advises seeking professional help asap via your GP or Lead Maternity Carer if stopping drinking is difficult for you – they may refer to you the Alcohol and Drug Services at your local DHB. Head to the Alcohol.org.nz website to begin with (further resources below). 

FASD-CAN is primarily concerned with supporting individuals with FASD and their whānau and caregivers, but there is much more information about alcohol use in pregnancy from some of the NZ-specific and global resources below. 

Further information

• To find professional help in your area around stopping drinking - try Healthpoint or Alcohol.org.nz

• Our partner organisation Alcohol Healthwatch has an information sheet about prenatal alcohol exposure. Click here to download.

• The Amohia te Wiaora (We're Stronger Without Alcohol) website also has a helpful pamphlet to download and print here.

This factsheet has specific information on stages of fetal development – what organs are developing when and more. From the US/Canadian Mother To Baby network.

• FASDHub in Australia – FAQs about alcohol and pregnancy.

• FASDHub has further resources about alcohol in pregnancy here.

• The recent Every Moment Matters campaign in Australia is one of the best.

• FASD United in Washington has clear messages for expectant parents from many US health agencies - click here.

This page also has a powerful personal story – see below, reproduced with thanks to FASD United.

Alcohol and Pregnancy: A Personal Perspective

“Every other week there seems to be another article in the media suggesting that 'moderate' alcohol use is safe while pregnant. It’s important to understand that we all have a different view of what moderation is and that it is very easy to underestimate the amount of alcohol we actually consume. I drank while I was pregnant, all five times. I had no idea that drinking on the weekends would harm my children.

“Today, I have a 37-year old that plays with baby dolls; she has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and intellectual disability. I have another daughter that suffers with chronic migraines and a host of other health problems. My last two children both died before they were three months old. There is not a day that goes by that I do not regret the fact that I drank while pregnant. I would not wish that on another mother.

"I love women – they are all my sisters – and I want them to know it is not safe to drink any alcohol while pregnant. Don’t risk it, wait, there’ll be plenty of time to celebrate after the baby is born!"

Kathleen Tavenner Mitchell
FASD United