Mommy-and-Me Alcohol Free to reach expectant mothers this holiday season

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 1, 2009) – Physicians at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center are stirring things up by stepping behind the bar at McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon to raise awareness of the importance of mom’s-to- be staying alcohol free during the holidays – and always.

Expectant women and others interested in learning how to mix up alcohol-free festive drinks for the family this holiday season are invited to attend the free event.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can occur to the embryo when a pregnant woman ingests alcohol during pregnancy. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that pregnant women should not drink alcohol at all during pregnancy. Research has proven the alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal growth or weight, create distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons and brain structures, and cause other physical, mental, or behavioral problems. Surveys found that in the United States, 10–15 percent of pregnant women admit to having recently used alcohol, and up to 30 percent use alcohol at some point during pregnancy. That is why Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, in partnership with McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon wants to get this important message out during the holiday season.

Lisa Jaacks, MD, OB/GYN and  John Steenbarger, MD, neonatologist are available in advance of the event for interviews about the effects of alcohol on pregnant women and their developing babies.

Mommy-to-be and Alcohol Free Event
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dec. 21, 2009
Where: McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, Westgate City Center in Glendale

The community is asked to register for the free event at (602) 230-CARE.

About Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, part of Banner Health—a nonprofit health system with 22 hospitals throughout the West—is a 513-bed acute-care hospital featuring a behavioral health center, children’s center and dedicated outpatient center.