Conflicting advice, a she’ll-be-right attitude, and misconceptions about foetal alcohol spectrum disorder essentially mean pregnant women are gambling with high stakes for their unborn children. Even if they are drinking within the so-called safe limits of alcohol consumption for women who aren’t pregnant we are told there is a serious risk of lifelong problems for their children.

These can be learning difficulties, memory problems, a lack of co-ordination and even antisocial tendencies. The experts tell us these symptoms can ultimately lead to marginalisation and even prison. No one wants that for their child.

As Pam Arnold told the Register, even pregnant women who have a glass of wine in the evening are essentially playing Russian roulette with their unborn children’s future.

With so much attention substance abuse being directed at the headline grabbing ice epidemic, it is important that problems associated with legal drugs such as alcohol do not travel under the radar.

That’s why the forum being organised by the Nowra Family Support Centre is so important. Its aim is to equip other professionals and agencies to start spreading the word about the dangers of mixing alcohol with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It’s as much about getting the word out to doctors and other health professionals as it is to expectant mothers. From there, it is hoped the message that it is simply too great a risk to take – that the best option through pregnancy and breastfeeding is abstinence – will gain traction through the community.