Byrne welcomes initiative on alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne has today (Monday) welcome a new Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) initiative aimed at reducing the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The initiative, in cooperation with the National Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, features a new information leaflet for pregnant women .

“As a member of AAI’s Cross Party Oireachtas Group on Alcohol Misuse, I strongly welcome today’s joint initiative by AAI and the country’s three largest maternity hospitals, designed to reduce the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.

“In its new information leaflet for pregnant women, AAI emphasises that ‘there is no known safe level of alcohol during pregnancy’. This puts paid to the myth that has arisen in recent times suggesting a few glasses of wine will do no harm. In the absence of clarity, it is really preferable for women to avoid alcohol entirely during pregnancy.

“I know many women will be concerned if they drank alcohol before finding out they were pregnant. Women should not feel guilty about this. The AAI leaflet states that there is no evidence of significant risk to the baby if small amounts of alcohol are consumed in the early weeks of pregnancy. However it is recommended that women stop drinking as soon as they find out.

“ Heavy drinking can increase the chances of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as increasing the risk of premature delivery, miscarriage and stillbirth. There is also an increased risk of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) which can leave children with defects and life-long learning and behavioural problems.

“I recently raised the matter of women smoking during pregnancy and have approached the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, with ideas on how to encourage pregnant women to give up cigarettes. So I really welcome this new initiative on alcohol consumption. In both cases it is about helping women to have a healthy pregnancy and ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout.”