'One quick chat can prevent harm': Leeds campaign issues important warning to pregnant women
The important message is being shared this week
People across Leeds are being encouraged to have conversations about alcohol and pregnancy as part of a city-wide awareness campaign.
Forward Leeds is backing this year’s Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day on September 9 with a reminder that there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.
The 2026 campaign forms part of the city’s ‘No Thanks, I’m Pregnant’ initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the potential risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Sally Goodwin-Mills, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist for Maternity at Leeds City Council, said alcohol can reach an unborn baby through the placenta.
She said: “Many people know that pregnant women are advised not to drink alcohol. But, fewer realise that alcohol passes through the placenta to a developing baby and that a baby's brain and nervous system begin developing very early in pregnancy, often before someone knows they are pregnant.”
As part of the campaign, three short films have been created showing real-life situations involving alcohol and pregnancy.
The films feature a couple deciding to stop drinking while trying for a baby, a mother reflecting on what she learned about alcohol and pregnancy, and a partner choosing alcohol-free drinks on a night out to show their support.
Forward Leeds Specialist Midwife Alex Whincup said the films were designed to encourage conversations rather than make people feel judged.
“What I like about these films is that they focus on real-life situations. They don't lecture or judge. Instead, they encourage understanding and conversation,” she said.
“They also remind us that this is not a message solely for pregnant women. Partners, families, friends, colleagues and professionals all have a role to play in creating supportive environments and in helping people make informed choices.”
Ms Goodwin-Mills said even a short conversation could make a difference.
She added: “Sometimes the most effective public health campaigns aren't about big gestures. They're about simple messages shared consistently by people that communities trust. This is about getting over those messages.
“A conversation lasting just a few minutes could help someone make an informed decision during pregnancy and ultimately give a child the best possible start in life.”
FASD is described by the campaign as entirely preventable, although awareness of the condition remains a concern among health professionals.
People and organisations across Leeds are being encouraged to share the campaign materials and help raise awareness in their communities.