National icon Michelle Payne warns expectant mums about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy in new DrinkWise campaign

National icon Michelle Payne is about to become a first time mum and has backed a new campaign about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Australia’s first female Melbourne Cup winner said that although she wasn’t actively planning a pregnancy, she hoped to become pregnant and tried to stay as healthy as possible before receiving the happy news.

“I was just trying to be as healthy as possible, fit and eating well,” she said.

“I’m not naturally a big drinker, so that was just normal sort of routine for me.”

Payne has thrown her support behind a new DrinkWise campaign that warns women about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

“Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is 100 per cent preventable, but it is not curable,” she said.

“The message is crucial to every woman and mother to be who weren’t aware of the disorder.”

FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, according to the National Organisation for FASD.

The disorder can affect brain development, behaviour, learning and health.

People with FASD can experience challenges and require support with their motor skills, health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotions and social skills.

“In racing, preparation is everything. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control the decisions you make in the lead-up – and pregnancy has made me think about that in a whole new way,” Payne said.

“I always knew the advice was to not drink alcohol when planning a pregnancy or while pregnant, but learning more about FASD really reinforced why that advice matters.

“For me, choosing not to drink is a simple decision as it means I’m giving our baby the best start to life. If lending my voice gives even one woman more confidence in making that same choice, then it’s absolutely worth it.”

The Royal Women’s Hospital Fertility Specialist Chelsea Glennon said clear information about alcohol and pregnancy needed to reach women, partners and families before and during pregnancy.