John Mason MSP (Glasgow Shettleston) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government  what action it takes to discourage mothers from drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

(S4W-10298)

Mr Michael Matheson MSP (Minister for Public Health): The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland’s advice is that alcohol should be avoided when pregnant or contemplating pregnancy as there is no known safe time, type or amount of alcohol during pregnancy.

This advice is incorporated into all relevant Scottish Government and Health Scotland publications and is included in Ready Steady Baby, a publication given to all expectant mothers.

In addition, the Scottish Woman-Held Maternity Record (SWHMR) includes a mandatory question on alcohol use, which midwives ask as part of the routine first midwifery or ‘booking’ assessment.

Through funding provided to the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, work has been undertaken in maternity services to embed alcohol brief interventions (ABI) as part of routine clinical care at booking for those pregnant women who have been screened as requiring advice and support on stopping alcohol consumption during pregnancy. For women whose alcohol use during pregnancy is deemed as unsuitable for an ABI, care pathways into treatment services and additional support are available.