Preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Teen
WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of birth defects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is also called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) because there is a broad range of birth defects that can result from drinking alcohol while pregnant. Alcohol that you drink can travel through your blood and damage your growing baby.
Fetal alcohol syndrome affects each baby differently. It can cause learning disabilities, behavior problems, and problems with physical development. Some children are born with little or no effects from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, while others are severely affected. Damage caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy is not …show more content…
• Plan to become pregnant.
• Think you may be pregnant.
Alcohol can affect your baby even before you know you are pregnant.
No amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. There is also no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. If you have been drinking during pregnancy, stop immediately to prevent more damage to your baby.
Resist pressure from your peers about drinking alcohol:
• If your friends drink, spend time with others who do not drink alcohol. Make new friends who do not use alcohol.
• Instead of drinking alcohol, do something else, like a game, hobby, or exercise. Find activities that you can do with friends instead of drinking.
• Do not be afraid to say no if someone offers you alcohol. Speak up about why you do not want to drink. You can be a positive role model for your friends, and set a good example for those around you by not drinking alcohol.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF CHANGES ARE NOT MADE?
Alcohol can affect your baby before and after birth, and throughout your child’s life. Alcohol may cause your child to have:
• Abnormal facial features, such as a thin upper lip or smooth skin between nose and lip.
• Small head size.
• Shorter than average height.
• Low body
WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of birth defects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is also called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) because there is a broad range of birth defects that can result from drinking alcohol while pregnant. Alcohol that you drink can travel through your blood and damage your growing baby.
Fetal alcohol syndrome affects each baby differently. It can cause learning disabilities, behavior problems, and problems with physical development. Some children are born with little or no effects from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, while others are severely affected. Damage caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy is not …show more content…
• Plan to become pregnant.
• Think you may be pregnant.
Alcohol can affect your baby even before you know you are pregnant.
No amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. There is also no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. If you have been drinking during pregnancy, stop immediately to prevent more damage to your baby.
Resist pressure from your peers about drinking alcohol:
• If your friends drink, spend time with others who do not drink alcohol. Make new friends who do not use alcohol.
• Instead of drinking alcohol, do something else, like a game, hobby, or exercise. Find activities that you can do with friends instead of drinking.
• Do not be afraid to say no if someone offers you alcohol. Speak up about why you do not want to drink. You can be a positive role model for your friends, and set a good example for those around you by not drinking alcohol.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF CHANGES ARE NOT MADE?
Alcohol can affect your baby before and after birth, and throughout your child’s life. Alcohol may cause your child to have:
• Abnormal facial features, such as a thin upper lip or smooth skin between nose and lip.
• Small head size.
• Shorter than average height.
• Low body