FAQs for Women

What can I do to prevent my child from acquiring FASD?
FASD is 100% preventable. Women who abstain from drinking while pregnant ensure that their babies will be born without FASD.

Does my race/ethnicity make my child any more or less likely to have FASD?
Babies with FASD are born in every state, within every racial and ethnic group. Whether or not a baby will be born with FASD is completely based on the mother’s consumption of alcohol and not at all on the mother’s race or ethnicity.

If I have FASD will my child acquire it?
FASD cannot be inherited. A child is only at risk if the mother consumes alcohol while pregnant.

If I only drink occasionally, will my child be protected from FASD?
No. When a woman consumes alcohol, it goes into her bloodstream and passes to the baby. No amount of alcohol consumption has been proven safe during pregnancy.

I have been consuming alcohol while pregnant. Is there any point in stopping now?
Yes. Women who stop drinking alcohol at any point during the pregnancy lower the baby’s risk of acquiring FASD.

During a past pregnancy, I consumed alcohol and my child is fine. Does that mean I can drink during the next pregnancy as well?
No. If a woman drinks during a pregnancy and gives birth to a healthy baby, there is no guarantee she will have the same outcome the next time around.