New service offers pregnancy support for women and families

A new free pregnancy support service has been launched to support women and their families throughout Glossop, Tameside and Oldham. 

Provided by charity Acorn Recovery Projects, the service offers confidential advice, guidance and re-assurance for anyone concerned about alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Acorn say it is working with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the partnership forms part of the wider Alcohol Exposed Pregnancy (AEP) programme.

The free support service is aimed at women aged 18-44 and their partners or support network.

Acorn say the service 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. Support can 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.

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 per cent 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.

One in five (21 per cent) current and former drinkers said they were drinking more often during lockdown, according to Alcohol Change UK.

Issues surrounding access to contraception during the pandemic have stoked fears that the proportion of unplanned pregnancies could be set to increase.

Louise Whitworth, Pregnancy Support Service Lead at Acorn Recovery Projects, commented: "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’ll provide a range of person-centred services to support women and their families before, during and after pregnancy." 

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 by calling 07583 052 031 or email lwhitworth@acornrecovery.org.uk.