HSE warns against alcohol consumption in pregnancy on FASD Awareness Day

On this Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day, the HSE is advising women who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy to avoid alcohol completely.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a group of disorders that are caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. Making prenatal alcohol exposure a leading preventable cause of neurodevelopmental disorders.

The HSE says that Ireland is estimated to have the third-highest prevalence of FASD in the world, and they are encouraging family, partners and friends to play their part in supporting an alcohol free pregnancy.

When planning a pregnancy, an alcohol free lifestule is the best way to support a healthy pregnancy and to give your baby the best possible start. The HSE say that the main risk when planning is that you may not know you are pregnant, so it is best to cut alcohol out completely.

Professor Maeve Eogan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Rotunda Hospital, said: “Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy, and when planning a pregnancy, helps protect your baby's development and prevent lifelong challenges associated with alcohol exposure before birth. We know that clear information and support make a difference, which is why partners, families and healthcare professionals all have a role to play in helping women have alcohol-free pregnancies.”