LETTER

Pregnant: every day without alcohol makes a difference

Did you know that FASD is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability in Canada?  The fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a brain injury that can occur when an unborn baby is exposed to alcohol, caused when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. It’s a lifelong disorder with effects that include physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities. FASD is not hereditary and can affect anyone. No single group has been proven to be at higher risk for drinking alcohol during pregnancy than any other group.

How can FASD be prevented?

If you’re planning a pregnancy, the best thing to do is to stop drinking alcohol in advance of your pregnancy. 

If you aren’t planning a pregnancy, you can help prevent FASD by properly using condoms, contraceptive pills or other contraception.

Some pregnancies are not planned, and you may have been drinking alcohol before you knew you were pregnant. Once you find out you’re pregnant, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol immediately. If you’re concerned about the risks to the fetus, it’s best to seek the advice of a health care provider.

If you’re a partner, family member or friend, you can support a pregnant woman by not drinking or offering her non-alcoholic beverages.

To learn more about FASD, its causes, signs and symptoms, its health effects and prevention, consult the Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) Web page.

Maganga Lumbu

Health Canada - Quebec 

Montréal