Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100 percent preventable

I think I've made it pretty clear that alcohol during pregnancy is never safe. However, the CDC notes that currently about 1 in 8 pregnant women in the United States reports alcohol use. And about 1 in 50 pregnant women in the United States reports binge drinking in the past 30 days (having five or more drinks at one time). Not cool. Alcohol during pregnancy is a big deal - any alcohol you drink while pregnant passes through the placenta to your baby through the umbilical cord. If you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant consider the following very serious facts about what can happen to your baby if you drink during pregnancy.

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

GET HELP - if you're pregnant and you want to drink alcohol or are drinking alcohol you need to get help so that you and your baby can be healthy. It is never too late to stop drinking - the sooner you stop the better for your baby. Talk to your health care provider about helpful resources, use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration treatment facility locator or contact Alcoholics Anonymous to get the help you need. *NOTE: FASDs are not the only problems associated with alcohol use during pregnancy. If you drink you have a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, complications during birth and low birth-weight and your baby has a higher risk of death at birth and in the weeks soon after.