More than 2,500 babies every year are born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder which results in learning and behavioural problems.

FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is brain damage in an unborn baby because the pregnant woman has been drinking alcohol.

Today on Sunrise, Arbias - a not-for-profit group which helps people with alcohol related brain damage - is aiming to raise awareness of the condition that is recognised overseas, but still not recognised in Australia.

While there are over 70 diagnostic teams in the USA and Canada who screen unborn babies for the syndrome, there is nowhere Australian mothers can get this screening.

In statistics that will come to as a shock to many women who continue to drink socially while pregnant, it is estimated up to 1 in 100 newborn babies may be born with the disorder.

Many women do not realise there is no proven scientific safe level of drinking in pregnancy.

There are no government funded services dedicated to helping families with FASD children in Australia. According to Arbias, FASD is not listed as a Federal government registered disability.

Arbias has now launched Australia's first diagnostic service to help parents, carers and families with children/adults with FASD.

A Salvation Army survey found 1.2 million women aged 25-49 drink or have drunk alcohol during pregnancy.

Arbias would also like to see warning labels on alcohol that inform more people of the dangers of FASD.


Real women and their experiences

Annie, 31, from Fitzroy in Melbourne, is currently six months pregnant and admits to drinking up to five times during this, her first pregnancy. 

"I still think I am careful with my drinking, but some would disagree, possibly even my own husband."

"I would describe my attitude toward it as cautious but not paranoid. I have had a few sips - probably five in all. But none in the first trimester.

Annie says most of her female friends have a similar attitude but she was very surprised at the figures up to 1% of Australian babies may have FASD. .

"I was under the impression this was for women who drank a whole glass regularly," she says.

As for feeling guilty when she drinks, Annie says she is "nervous" with any chemicals. "I feel bad just breathing in Spray and Wipe."

Emily, 30, is a mother of 2 in Sydney's Hills District. While she is now aware of FASD, Emily was not aware there was no safe level of drinking in pregnancy.

Like many mothers, Emily dropped her guard when the second child came along. "You do relax the further you go on having children," she says.

"With my first child I didn't have one sip at all - I was feeling so excited I was happy to do everything right."

"With my second child, I did have a sip [of wine] on more than one occasion. It was especially tempting nearing Christmas. I was very ready to have a glass of red wine and it was close to the birth of my second."

"Maybe I shouldnt have," she laughs. "I just thought surely one glass won't hurt this close to birth."

Emily says she believed this to be fine because "the important development happens in the first trimester".

"At thirty-five weeks,  I didn't think that would induce featal alcohol syndrome."

More info

ARBIAS - Alcohol Related Brain Injury Australian Services
Dept of Health and Ageing

Who to contact regarding recognition and scanning in Australia:

• MPs and Senators who support the work of Arbias
• Dept Health and Ageing and the health department in your state