Free advice and support available in Rochdale to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies

Free advice and support to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies will be provided locally in a pilot programme by Acorn Recovery Projects, a charity providing a range of recovery services across the North West.

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP), the programme will provide information and support to mums-to-be, women of childbearing age and any family members or friends who will be a support to the new mum throughout Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Tameside, and Glossop, offering confidential advice, guidance, and re-assurance for anyone concerned about alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127909/campaign-launched-to-prevent-unborn-children-being-harmed-by-alcohol

The free service is aimed at women aged 18-44 and provides a safe, non-judgemental service for women and their families to receive mentoring, counselling and education on issues surrounding alcohol consumption and pregnancy. Support is not limited to women who are currently pregnant, but also those who are sexually active and identified as at risk of unplanned pregnancy.

Due to the ongoing restrictions with Covid-19, Acorn support can currently be accessed virtually and includes online counselling, group sessions and support from peer mentors. These services can also be delivered by phone, text and email where required.

 

 

It is estimated that every year in Greater Manchester more than 1,000 children are born with health problems that could have been avoided if their mothers had not drunk alcohol while pregnant.

Unborn children who are exposed to alcohol can face a host of problems, including damage to their heart, kidneys, and bones, learning difficulties, and symptoms similar to autism and attention deficit disorder. Where caused by alcohol, all of these are preventable.

The programme will highlight Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the impact it has on children. FASD is a range of lifelong disabilities which includes physical, mental, behavioural, and learning impairments. It often causes difficulties with speech, language, memory, attention, planning and decision-making.

Despite misconceptions, the guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers advises that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Although the advice is clear, the UK currently has the fourth highest level of prenatal alcohol use in the world with 41% of women drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Recent research shows an alarming rise in alcohol consumption among drinkers since the beginning of lockdown, raising concerns around a potential increase in alcohol exposed pregnancies. Issues surrounding access to contraception during the pandemic have stoked fears that the proportion of unplanned pregnancies could be set to increase.

Department of Health and Social Care figures also show that 2019 had already seen a 21% rise in unplanned pregnancies throughout Lancashire. Across the country, Public Health England report that around 45% of pregnancies and one third of births in England are unplanned or associated with feelings of ambivalence.

 

 

Louise Whitworth, Pregnancy Support Service Lead at Acorn Recovery, said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership to raise awareness of the issues surrounding alcohol exposed pregnancy. We will provide a range of person-centred services to support women and their families before, during and after pregnancy.”

Contact Acorn

Acorn’s pregnancy support service is available immediately and can be accessed through health visitors, maternity services, children’s centres, and health centres. Alternatively, you can self-refer via:

Phone: 0161 484 0000 / 07583 052 031

Email: lwhitworth@acornrecovery.org.uk

Website: acornrecovery.org.uk

All support is provided by fully trained staff and peer mentors, and Acorn also has full accredited counsellors that can provide regular one-to-one support.