Overview

This presentation will discuss the effective management and treatment options of alcohol use in pregnancy, the effect of alcohol on the developing fetus and what this means in later life, as well as addressing the often asked question, "Can you drink alcohol and safely breastfeed?"

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A.

This webinar will be presented by experienced clinicians from the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS) at Royal Women’s Hospital. This service is Victoria’s only statewide service for pregnant women with complex substance use.

Watch the presentation

About the presenters

Associate Professor Yvonne Bonomo is a physician in Addiction Medicine working with people with alcohol and drug problems through clinical practice, research and professional and community education. She is Medical Head of Unit at the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service and Associate Professor and Director of Department of Addiction Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. She is also Clinical Associate Professor in Medicine at the University of Melbourne.
 
Dr Anna Tottman is a Neonatatologist who trained in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. She has a special interest in early life nutrition and glycaemia and completed her PhD at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland investigating long-term neurodevelopmental and metabolic outcomes in children born very preterm.  Her interest in improving long-term outcomes for high risk infants extends to those affected by fetal drug and alcohol exposure, and in her role at the Royal Women's Hospital she provides paediatric care to infants attending the Women's Drug and Alcohol Service.
 
Julie Blandthorn is a Clinical midwife consultant at the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS) based at Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne. Julie is a Registered Nurse and completed her midwifery training at Royal Women's Hospital where she won the Margaret Black Memorial prize. She completed post graduate maternal and child health qualifications as well as further study in immunisation and family planning. She completed her Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and other drug studies at Turning Point in 2010. In her current role Julie has provided clinical care, published journal articles, written clinical practice guidelines as well as deliver training and education throughout Australia.