North East Mums Putting Babies At Risk Through Drinking

Children in the North East are at risk of developing long-term health problems if their mums drink during pregnancy.

Babies could be born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD, which causes a number of life-long disabilities.

It's believed around 6000 babies are born with the condition in the UK every year.

Symptoms include poor memory, behavioural problems and physical defects.

Campaigners are calling for guidelines to be made as strict as smoking and say mums shouldn't drink any alcohol at all when pregnant.

North East Alcohol Office, Balance is calling for consistent and clear guidelines advising pregnant women that the safest option is no alcohol from conception to birth.

It's a message which already has the backing of the North East’s 12 Directors of Public Health.

Mary Edwards, Programme Manager Alcohol Treatment at Balance, said: “Lots of mums-to-be haven’t heard about FASD and the lifelong disabilities that come with it. It’s vitally important that we raise awareness of the condition and the fact that it is preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.

Julia Brown is the founder of the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Trust, who support families in the North East affected by the condition.

She said: "In the North East in particular there is a real history of binge drinking.

"That kind of drinking pattern is one of the ones that we know is the most dangerous

"People tend to stop smoking when they're pregnant and it's also not socially acceptable.

"Whereas drinking, we all do it, people don't realise how potentially dangerous it can be."

North East mum Maria Catterick fosters children with the condition, she told us the guidelines are still unclear.

She said: "There is no clear cut one answer and that's the key issue we've had in the North East.

"You may go to your GP who says the odd one or two will be fine, or you might come across the professional who's been trained and says absolutely no alcohol.

"Those mixed messages aren't helping."

Sarah Walker from Durham agrees, she says it's heart-breaking to know her adopted daughter Amy has disabilities that could have been prevented.

"I just sat and cried, for the future for Amy. It's very hard not to be angry, when your beautiful little girl is lying on the floor having a fit and there is nothing you can do."

You can find more information about FASD and where to get help HERE