Why is there so much stigma around alcohol use in pregnancy?

In our society, alcohol is everywhere. It is often seen as a normal and expected part of social events, woven into the fabric of daily life. When someone becomes pregnant, society often places immediate and intense judgement on any alcohol consumption.

While FASD is only caused by alcohol use during pregnancy (Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, or PAE), many people mistakenly believe that the biological parent must have had an alcohol use disorder. However, even a small amount of PAE can result in the brain-based differences and body effects associated with a diagnosis of FASD.

The truth is, PAE is complex.

• FASD is preventable, but not 100% preventable.

We know that alcohol use is common across all parts of society, meaning PAE can happen in any family or whānau. Wherever there is alcohol, there is FASD.

• Up to 50% of pregnancies in Aotearoa New Zealand are unplanned.

This means thousands of women may continue to drink socially for weeks or months before they even realise they are pregnant. At FASD-CAN we strongly advise that if you are not planning for pregnancy, use contraception. If you are planning for a baby, global medical advice is to avoid alcohol as soon as you start trying to conceive. New research is also now showing that male drinking can also have detrimental effects on a fetus as well – click here for more information.

• It's often not about choice.

Continued alcohol use can be linked to serious factors like self-medicating for trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or having undiagnosed FASD or other mental health conditions themselves. Nothing is gained by families, whānau or society by blaming anyone for this situation; in fact, we must support birth parents to have healthy pregnancies and feel safe to seek help if they are struggling with alcohol. Stigma is a barrier to them seeking this help.

• No one intends to cause harm.

We know that no birth parent intentionally harms their pēpi / baby. People with FASD have hopes, dreams, friends, whānau / families, strengths and challenges, just like everyone else – and their birth parent did not make an intentional decision to harm them.