This is what professor of paediatrics and child health from Sydney University, Elizabeth Elliott, advises for those who are at risk of "damaging the unborn child".

Ms Elliott works in Australia's first diagnostic clinic for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) at the Children's Hospital at Westmead and is "documenting a condition that is under recognised and diagnosed in Australia".

International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day on September 9 hopes to raise awareness that alcohol and pregnancy don't mix.

"Alcohol abuse happens in all levels of communities, education and soci-economic groups. You only have to walk around Sydney on a Friday night to see this," she said.

"We need to change the community's attitude towards alcohol because this disorder is preventable. That's the saddest reality of it."

Chairperson of National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders (NOFASARD), Sue Miers, said "zero alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the safest option".

"FASD is a hidden epidemic in Australia and it's a disability that's not recognised by the Australian government," she said.

The effects of FASD can include low birth weight, birth defects, attention and learning difficulties.

Details, source: nofasard.org.au or drinkwise.org.au.