Alcohol and Pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
No-one wants to intentionally harm their baby, but so many people don’t realize that NO amount of alcohol use is safe during pregnancy.
Is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) the same as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
There are different types of FASD, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of them. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. FASD (which includes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FAS) is the leading known cause of developmental disability and birth defects in the United States. (National Organization on FASD)
What are the Effects of FASD, including FAS?
There are different types of alcohol-related disorders, depending upon the symptoms. Most people associate FASD or alcohol use during pregnancy with birth defects such as abnormal facial features, but this is only seen among people with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Other serious developmental effects of an FASD include:
- growth defects
- brain damage
- heart, lung and kidney birth defects
- hyperactivity and behavior problems
- attention and memory problems
- poor coordination and motor skill delays
- difficulty with judgement and reasoning
- learning disabilities
- sensory issues
What are secondary conditions?
According to the CDC, FASDs and fetal alcohol syndrome can lead to other disorders, called “secondary conditions.” Secondary conditions are problems that a person is not born with, but might be diagnosed as a result of having a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. These include:
- mental health issue
- a disruptive school experience
- legal problems
- inappropriate sexual behavior
- substance use
Suzy Berschback
Healthy Communities Manager, Beaumont Health
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are incurable — but 100% preventable
If you are thinking about becoming pregnant or if you are a parent, caregiver, or teacher of a child who has been diagnosed with an alcohol-related disorder such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, CARE is here to help.
What Mothers -To-Be Can Do About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and FASD
Project CHOICES is an FASD prevention program that provides you with everything you need to know about the risk factors and the effects of alcohol use while pregnant. It helps you get a better understanding of how much you are drinking and how to change behaviors before getting pregnant. Project Choices is for pregnant women or any woman who thinks they will one day be pregnant, ages 15-45 (minors need parental/guardian approval to participate). This program helps you make the right choices for you and your baby-to-be, so you can do everything you can to have a healthy baby.
Are you pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant?
Let CARE help you make the best choices so your baby will be born without Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FASD. Call us at (586) 541-2273 to schedule a screening.
We will never give up on you. We’re here when you are ready.
