A ground-breaking service is helping mums-to-be reduce the risks to their unborn child by helping them face facts about the effects of drugs and alcohol.

The Airedale Community Drug and Alcohol team in Keighley are working to connect with women who may continue to drink during pregnancy.

The multi-agency service involves Bradford District Care Trust, Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services and local charity Project 6.

Helen Cowley, community psychiatric nurse at Bradford District Care Trust, said: “We are aware that some women continue to drink alcohol at varying levels throughout their pregnancy. As alcohol is legal there is an assumption by some people that it is not as harmful as illegal substances. This is not necessarily the case.

“Women do not have to be dependent drinkers to risk causing damage to their developing unborn baby. The problem is they may not disclose this at their usual antenatal bookings as they are embarrassed or ashamed and may fear social service involvement.

“The team is working together to connect with these women to reduce harm to the unborn baby and the women.”

Pregnant women using the service have access to scans, have ante-natal checks by a specialist drug liaison midwife and have a consultant available. They can also seek advice and treatment about alcohol and drugs under the same roof.”

Increasingly the team find themselves working with the whole family and the Integrated Family Service set up by Project 6 supports families to stay together and helps them break the cycle of problems, passed down through generations.

Becky Cutler has an active role in representing service users and helps the team support women at the pregnancy clinic.

She said: “I talk to people in an informal way about their situation and because I speak from personal experience I understand their problems.”

The Multi-Agency Antenatal Service is held at Holycroft Surgery, Oakworth Road, Keighley, BD21 1SA Telephone (01535) 602010.