When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does the unborn baby.  Most women do not realize they are pregnant until their 3^rd-4^th week; this is a time when the growing baby is most susceptible to alcohol, drugs, and other toxins.  In these first few weeks, a woman could continue drinking, not even realizing that she is pregnant.  For this reason, it is recommended that all women who are trying to get pregnant or who are already pregnant should try to avoid drinking alcohol.

Drinking any amount or type of alcohol during pregnancy may cause the baby to be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).  Each year, within Canada, more than 3,000 babies are born with FASD.  On average, that’s about 9 out of every 1,000 babies born with FASD every year. 

What are the signs & symptoms?

Depending on the time, type, or amount of alcohol that was consumed during pregnancy, the birth defects and disabilities related to FASD can be mild to severe.  Mild signs and symptoms of FASD may include increased childhood infections, trouble with eating and sleeping, and sensitivity to touch, bright light, and loud noises.  Signs and symptoms of moderate FASD may include small birth weight, delays in physical development, learning disorders, behavioural concerns, tremors or seizures, and problems with vision and hearing.  Severe FASD may present as brain damage, abnormalities of the face, skeleton and teeth, and defects of the heart, liver and kidney.  All symptoms, whether mild, moderate, or severe, depend on the amount and time that alcohol was taken during pregnancy.  Remember, there is no safe time, type or amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for FASD.  Once it is diagnosed, a team of health care providers and the family affected by FASD will develop a specific treatment plan.  Medication, therapy, and on-going supports will be organized.  With effective treatment and positive support, the defects and disabilities associated with FASD, can be minimized.  Effective treatment may help prevent secondary problems, such as: 

• Mental health problems
• Not able to live independently
• Employment problems
• Disruptive school experience
• Drug and/or alcohol problems
• Inappropriate sexual behaviour
• Problems with the law
• Jail time.

With effective treatment and support, people with FASD can lead productive and successful lives.

How can it be prevented?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause the only mental disability that is 100% preventable.  Whether or not you are pregnant, you can help prevent FASD.

     1. Do not drink alcohol if you are:

• pregnant
• planning a pregnancy
• having sex, without using birth control.

     2. If you have a family member or friend who is planning a pregnancy, or who is already pregnant, support her by:

• Encouraging her not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.
• Drinking non-alcoholic beverages when you are with her. 

     3. Learn more about FASD so you can educate others about the effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Need more information?                                                                                    

If you have any questions about FASD, or need more information, please: 

• Call the intake nurse at the Health Unit: (519) 258-2146, ext. 1350
• Talk to your health care provider
• Call the FASD information service (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse) at their toll-free number: 1-800-559-4514
• Visit one of the following websites:
• Public Health Agency of Canada – FASD:
• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fasd-etcaf/faq_e.html 
• Best Start:
• www.alcoholfreepregnancy.ca
•  Health Canada – FASD:  
• http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/fasd-etcaf_e.html
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit: 
• www.wechealthunit.org

References:

Best Start.  (2005).  Participant handbook: Supporting change – Preventing and addressing alcohol use in pregnancy.  Toronto, ON: Best Start: Ontario’s Maternal, Newborn and Early Childhood Development Resource Centre.

Best Start.  (2006).  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.  Retrieved, Aug 2 2006, from, http://www. Alcoholfreepregnancy.ca/eng/pdf/media_fact_sheet.pdf

 Health Canada.  (2006).  It’s your health: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.  Retrieved, June 25, 2007, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/fasd-etcaf_e.html

Public Health Agency of Canada.  (2005).  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A framework for action. Ottawa, ON: Public Health Agency of Canada