Bells at Dunedin's First Church will be ringing out at 9.09am today to mark World Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day.
One of the bell-ringers will be Jenny Salmon, who has been researching the long-term effects of the disorder on individuals and families. She will be joined by fellow campanologist, husband Gwilym.
The time, in the ninth month of the year, was chosen to symbolise the nine months of pregnancy, and Alcohol Healthwatch health promotion adviser Christine Rogan asked that when people heard the bells they paused and reflected on those living with the disorder.
Mrs Salmon would like to see more done to promote prevention of the condition and also to assist with diagnosis and appropriate educational treatment of children with the disorder.
Often such children were labelled dumb and obnoxious, something which could exacerbate their difficulties, she said It was important children with the disorder were diagnosed by the age of 6 so they could be supported to avoid secondary disabilities, which could lead to some children eventually ending up in jail.
The Plunket Society is also urging women to be aware of the risks of alcohol to the unborn child and the breast-feeding baby, using the slogan "baby's sharing that drink with you".
Chief executive Jenny Prince said while there had been much recent debate about adult and teen drinking, the child seemed to have been forgotten.
The effects on children of a mother could range from slight to severe and there was no safe limit for drinking, she said.
Today, the Ministry of Health is launching a practical guide for health professionals on how to give advice about alcohol in pregnancy.
Ms Rogan said she was "thrilled' about this happening on FASD Day. She believed the guide would help health professionals raise the subject of drinking with their patients in a confident and consistent way.
FASD describes the range of developmental disorders that can affect an unborn baby when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol.
