FASD Awareness
Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities that last a lifetime. Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or might be pregnant not drink alcohol. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are completely preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol before birth.
What We Know
- Women who are pregnant or who might be pregnant should be aware that any level of alcohol use could harm their babies.
- All types of alcohol can be harmful, including all wine and beer.
- The baby’s brain, body, and organs are developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by alcohol at any time.
- Alcohol use during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm (early) birth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
What Can Be Done to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Women Can
- Talk with their healthcare providers about their plans for pregnancy, their alcohol use, and ways to prevent pregnancy if they are not planning to get pregnant.
- Stop drinking alcohol if they are trying to get pregnant or could get pregnant.
- Ask their respective partners, families, and friends to support their choice not to drink during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.
- Ask their healthcare providers or other trusted people about resources for help if they cannot stop drinking on their own.
Healthcare providers can
- Screen all adult patients for alcohol use at least yearly.
- Advise women not to drink at all if there is any chance they could be pregnant.
- Counsel, refer, and follow up with patients who need more help.