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 abuse

"CARE of Southeastern Michigan has been key to our success as a community health coalition. CARE provides technical support, community organizing, and mental health and substance prevention programming that is specific to meet the needs of our community. It has been a great partnership for the health of our community."

Care of Southeastern Michigan Testimonials

Suzy Berschback Healthy Communities Manager, Beaumont Health

Care of Southeastern Michigan fetal alcohol syndrome

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.

We will never give up on you. We’re here when you are ready.

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