1 In 8 Pregnant Women In The United States Reports Alcohol Use - A Major Problem As Alcohol Can Result In 100% Preventable Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
1. If you drink alcohol during pregnancy your baby may be born with birth defects and/or physical and/or mental disabilities. These conditions are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASDs. FASDs can cause multiple problems related to how your baby grows, learns, looks, and acts along with birth defects of the heart, brain, and other major organs. See all the problems babies with FASDs face.2. There is NO cure for FASDs problems. If your baby is born with FASDs the condition will last a lifetime and he may require extra care for his entire life. The costs of raising a baby born with FASDs can be considerably more than the typical costs of raising a healthy FASDs-free baby. In fact the CDC notes that the lifetime cost for one individual with FAS in 2002 was estimated to be $2 million. 3. FASDs are 100% preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities and if your baby is born with FASDs you are to blame. The only reason a baby is born with FASDs is because you, the mama-to-be, drank alcohol while pregnant. 4. There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Hard liquor, beer, lite beer, mixed drinks and anything else with alcohol in it can harm your baby. Amounts of alcohol also don't matter. You shouldn't have a small glass of wine or a six-pack. Any amount may harm your baby. 5. You may have heard that babies develop faster during the first few months. That doesn't mean that you can safely drink during the third trimester though. Having a drink is dangerous if you're in your first, second or third trimester. Even if you don't know you're pregnant yet (before you miss a period) alcohol can harm your baby. 6. If you drank during your last pregnancy and your baby does not have FASDs, you were VERY lucky. This does not mean your new baby can't have major health problems and or serious birth defects if you continue to drink. More resources:
- Watch a video that tells the story of one family living with FASDs.
- Learn to make yummy alcohol free drinks.
- Alcohol and Pregnancy Questions and Answers