Even drinking small amounts during pregnancy can damage your baby

The British Medical Association (BMA) recommend that women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should not drink any alcohol, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Complying with the guidance would eliminate fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which include fetal alcohol syndrome and can lead to learning and physical disabilities and behavioural problems.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most clinically recognisable type of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and is characterised by abnormal facial features, growth deficiency, intellectual disabilities, and hyperactivity. FASD are lifelong conditions that can significantly impact on the life of the individual and those around them, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

Furthermore, they are completely preventable. Even if you drink a little bit during your pregnancy you may be putting your child at risk, as some genetic variables make your baby even more vulnerable to FASD, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

In 2002-3 a total of 128 cases were recorded in England. However, there is no reliable evidence on the incidence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the United Kingdom, something which needs to change, says the BMA.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link. To find out more about Fetal alcohol syndrome, go to the link below.

http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/SearchResultsPage?OpenDocument&sid=080317200345BMAW-7CTRJE&FreeText=fetal%20alcohol%20spectrum%20disorders%20