Maternity team highlights the harmful effects of drinking in pregnancy

Staff from the maternity team at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) are calling attention to the serious risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its impact on unborn babies.

Partnering with Wirral Council’s Public Health department, the team engaged with expectant parents in the antenatal waiting area of Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital to spread the crucial message: there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a condition that can lead to permanent lifelong health problems.

Recent studies suggest that 3-6% of the UK population may be affected by FASD, which is roughly equivalent to one child in every classroom.

Alcohol in a pregnant person’s bloodstream passes through the placenta to the developing baby. Because an unborn baby can’t process alcohol effectively, it can remain in the body for a long time, causing potential damage to the brain and other organs, disrupting normal development, and in severe cases, leading to miscarriage.

Jill Lamb, Substance Use Specialist Midwife said:

"In the past, there was a common belief that the occasional alcoholic drink during pregnancy was harmless. However, since 2016 when the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines were published, we know that there is no safe level of alcohol in pregnancy. So we are urging all pregnant people and those trying to conceive to avoid alcohol completely."

The maternity team continues to provide education and support to expectant parents, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to make healthy choices for themselves and their babies.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive said:

"At Wirral University Teaching Hospital, we are deeply committed to supporting families to give every baby the best possible start in life. Raising awareness about the risks of alcohol during pregnancy is an important part of that. By working together with our partners and engaging directly with parents, we can help ensure that every expectant parent feels informed, supported, and empowered to make healthy choices for themselves and their babies."

ENDS

Further information on FASD is available at Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder - NHS