In an attempt to educate the region's young people on the impacts of drinking during pregnancy, students at Northam Senior High School have been learning about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
In partnership with School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA), student's have been taught about safety surrounding pregnancy and substances.
FASD is a term that describes a 'spectrum' or a range of physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities that are a direct result of alcohol use during pregnancy.
How much alcohol is a safe to drink while you're pregnant?
There is no safe level, the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Risk from Drinking Alcohol state that alcohol consumption can harm the developing fetus or breastfeeding baby.
They recommend the following that for women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.
There are mixed messages about alcohol during pregnancy but no alcohol while planning, during pregnancy and whist breast feeding is the safest option.
There is also emerging evidence that alcohol consumption can influence sperm viability also. So how can you have the healthiest baby possible?
- Mutual Support; together decide 'not to drink a single drop' when trying to conceive during all 9 months of pregnancy.
- Educate yourself; about FASD &the lifetime effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
- Notify your family & friend; about your decision & enlist their support, when announcing your pregnancy. Also, when you are invited to parties, dinner occasions and bbq's.
Rose Power is a regional consultant for School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA).