Who is out drinking with you tonight?

That is the question being asked to pregnant mothers across Dumfries and Galloway.
As part of a region-wide campaign, a reminder is being highlighted to avoid alcohol if you are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the first Board in Scotland to lead on this campaign.
Natalie Potts, Specialist Midwife, said: “The current situation is that nationally we are unaware of how many children are affected by maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy as there is limited research in Scotland regarding this.
“There has been no research that has determined any safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
“It is known that no alcohol during pregnancy from conception to delivery guarantees no fetal alcohol harm, and so locally our message is that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is 100 per cent preventable.”
Over the coming weeks and months, the region’s midwifery team will raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
The Board has been granted permission from Dr Harry Burns, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, to use his quote “Avoid alcohol if pregnant or contemplating pregnancy” as part of our local campaign to raise awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
The poster ‘Who’s out drinking with you tonight’ will be placed across 481 on sale premises across Dumfries and Galloway.
Natalie said: “We very much hope to get these messages out there in the public domain and ensure that women are aware of the potential damage alcohol can cause during pregnancy.”
Further information and advice is available via GPs or the midwifery team.

REGION-WIDE CAMPAIGN: NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s midwifery team are pictured left to right: Jacqui Gatford, Midwife;
Diane Dickie Team Leader; Anne Anderson Midwife and Natalie Potts Specialist Midwife