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AMA Victoria pushes for warning labels on alcohol products
AMA Victoria today joined the Salvation Army in their call for warnings on alcohol products that inform women of the risks associated with consumption of alcohol during pregnancies.AMA Victoria helped launch the Salvation Army’s Alcohol Awareness campaign today in Melbourne, warning people across Australia about the harmful affects alcohol has on an unborn child.
“The public need to be well informed about just how dangerous alcohol can be to an unborn child,” Dr Yates said.
Dr Yates said that every alcoholic product should come with a clear health warning “Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can damage your baby”.
“Consumers need to be aware of the harmful effects of alcohol just as smokers are reminded that smoking kills every time they buy a packet of cigarettes.
“The AMA urges the alcohol industry to do the right thing and support the Salvos in this campaign by being proactive rather than wait for the government to wave the big stick,” Dr Yates said.
Dr Yates said he hoped the awareness campaign was a step towards helping reduce the number of babies born with alcohol related defects in Victoria.
Speaking at the launch, AMA Victoria Vice President and Obstetrician, Dr Kate Duncan said that the lasting damage caused by inappropriate alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a serious social problem and should not be overlooked by the public.
“Alcohol can affect the baby’s physical growth and brain development throughout the pregnancy. These children may go on to have significant developmental delay and behaviour problems.
“Some babies exposed to very high levels of alcohol will die before they are born.
“Alcohol crosses the placenta to the baby, which may result in the same blood level of alcohol as the mother,” Dr Duncan said.
Dr Duncan said FASD may not be picked up until the child is older and their behaviour has become a problem.
Dr Duncan said there was no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. “Less alcohol is better, but no alcohol is the best and safest option,” she said.
“The simple fact is that Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) is preventable. The public need to be aware of the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
“A woman who chooses to drink should not exceed the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines and restrict their intake of alcohol to no more than two standard drinks per day and ensure they have at least two alcohol free days per week.
“Binge drinking is not recommended for any woman, pregnant or not. It’s dangerous for your health and safety,” she said.
“They may experience learning problems such as delay in starting to talk or difficulties at school.
“In more severe cases, physical deformities can include heart defects, minor joint and limb abnormalities as well as physical defects with limbs that did not get the chance to develop completely.
“In most cases having a few drinks in the early weeks does not cause harm, but heavy drinking during that time can cause problems for the baby, especially if other drugs are also used.
“Babies are more vulnerable to alcohol in the early weeks of pregnancy, with the highest risk being between two and eight weeks. Many pregnancies are not planned and women often don’t know they are pregnant until about the sixth week of the pregnancy or later,” Dr Duncan said.
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