Women

All women should be aware of what can happen to an unborn baby when a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant. Even if a woman is not expecting or pregnant, awareness is of utmost importance because she can share her knowledge of the dangers of alcohol consumption with friends, family and other women in the community. To learn more about raising awareness and serving as a champion for the Florida Fights FASD campaign, visit the “Advocates” page.

Expectant Mothers

From the moment a woman becomes pregnant, her choices regarding alcohol consumption affect her unborn baby. Many say one glass of wine a day is healthy, but research has shown that during a pregnancy, even the slightest amount of alcohol can be dangerous.  In fact, any alcohol, regardless of type, amount, or frequency, can lead to FASD.

Essentially, when a woman is pregnant, her baby drinks everything she drinks. The alcohol crosses the placenta and goes directly to the fetal blood stream, and can potentially cause brain damage. Alcohol produces the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus, more than abuse of heroin, cocaine and marijuana, often resulting in life-long permanent disorders of memory function, impulse control and judgment.

Specifically, alcohol-related birth defects can cause children to:

• be born with low birth weight
• experience problems eating, sleeping, seeing and hearing
• have trouble following directions and learning how to do simple tasks
• have trouble paying attention and learning in school
• require special attention from teachers
• have trouble getting along with others and controlling their behavior

Problems resulting from FASD last a lifetime and carry a projected cost of $5 million; this estimate includes medical care services and productivity losses. FASD has no cure but is 100% preventable. Women who choose to abstain completely from alcohol during their pregnancy ensure their babies will not be one of the 40,000+ infants born every year with FASD.

Young, Sexually Active Females

Approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and as a result, many women consume alcohol for weeks or sometimes even months without knowing they are pregnant. Both intentionally and not, about 12% of pregnant women drink alcohol at some point during their pregnancy.

All women should be aware of the potential negative effects of drinking alcohol and strive to make responsible decisions.  All women—regardless of age, socioeconomic status, religion, race or ethnic group—who consume alcohol while pregnant, are equally likely to have babies with FASD. Women who learn they have been drinking while pregnant should stop immediately to increase the chances of having a healthy baby.

Adopting a Child with FASD

Individuals with FASD often encounter multiple problems that are expensive to treat and require special community, familial, medical and educational assistance. Caregivers may need outside financial and relational support to help their adopted children with FASD cope with life circumstances.

It is important that caregivers equip themselves with the knowledge and resources necessary to prepare for the effects of FASD. Check out the resource links below for a broader understanding of the implications of adopting a child with FASD.

• http://www.adopting.org/rwfas.html
• http://www.come-over.to/FAS/AdoptionExpectations.htm
• http://www.come-over.to/FAS/AdoptionQuestions.htm
• http://www,come-over.to/FAS/AdoptionExpect.htm

Damaged Angels: An Adoptive Mother’s Struggle to Understand the Tragic Toll of Alcohol in Pregnancy by Bonnie Buxton
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities by Ann Pytkowicz Streissguth