STOP Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects NOW!

Cat. no H21-177/2001E
ISBN 0-662-31044-6

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(3.98 MB)    

WHAT IS Fetal Alcohol Syndrome / Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE)?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a term used to describe birth defects caused by the drinking of alcohol during pregnancy and nursing. Alcohol causes the greatest damage to the baby's brain.

Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) is a term used to describe the presence of some, but not all, FAS characteristics.

CHARACTERISTICS of FAS/FAE

• FAS/FAE can cause permanent brain damage.
• FAS/FAE can cause heart and other organ defects.
• FAS/FAE can deform a baby's face for life
• Children with FAS/FAE can have trouble learning and controlling their temper.
• FAS/FAE babies weigh less and grow slower than healthy babies.
• An individual with FAS/FAE can have drug and alcohol problems, have difficulty keeping jobs, and get in frequent trouble with the law.

Damage to an unborn baby can begin
AS EARLY AS the first weeks of pregnancy.

CONCERNS about FAS/FAE

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) are the leading known causes of preventable birth defects among Canadian children.

• The estimated FAS rate in Canada is 1 to 3 for every 1,000 live births.
• The estimated FAE rate in Canada is 30 for every 1000 live births.

The rates of FAS/FAE in some First Nations and Inuit communities are much higher than the national average. FAS/FAE are serious concerns for First Nations and Inuit.

"We owe our future to our unborn."

Marion Mussell - Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) FAS/E
National Steering Committee

What you need to KNOW about FAS/FAE

• When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, her unborn baby drinks alcohol too.
• FAS/FAE causes permanent mental and physical damage to the baby.
• Babies born with FAS/FAE do not get better-
• There is no safe TIME during pregnancy to drink alcohol.
• No AMOUNT of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
• Symptoms may not show up until a child is 3 or 4 years old.
• You can prevent FAS/FAE by not drinking alcohol when pregnant or nursing.

No AMOUNT of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

You can take ACTION

• STOP drinking alcohol now if you are pregnant or nursing.
• STOP drinking alcohol now if you are planning to become pregnant.
• If you know someone who is pregnant and drinking alcohol, encourage her to STOP.

You can find HELP and SUPPORT

There are many who can help:

• Friends
• Family
• Community Health Centres, Nurses, Health Representatives and Wellness Workers
• Safe homes and shelters
• Native Alcohol and Drug Workers
• Teachers
• Elders
• Spiritual or religious centres
• Family physicians
• Midwives

"Like a stone tossed into a pond, our actions
ripple into the world, touching others in our
families and communities."

Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada

You can take CHARGE

You can build a better future for yourself, your child, your family, and your community.

Pregnant? No Alcohol!