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Pregnancy

is

Sacred

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Help your community

have healthy babies

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of Our

DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 07-4264

Printed 2007

For more

information, visit

FASDcenter.samhsa.gov

www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

866-

STOPFAS
If you feel comfortable doing this, encourage your

teacher to teach your class about FASD. Then share

what you know with friends and family members,

especially girls and women who drink.

How Do I Talk To Someone About FASD

FASD is a sensitive subject and isn’t easy to talk

about. Here are some tips to help you figure out wh

to say and how to say it:

• Be respectful. Don’t call anyone “dumb,”

“stupid,” or other insulting names.

• Be positive and encouraging.

• Talk in a private place.

• Keep it simple—start with the basics.

• Listen carefully.

• Suggest places to get more information or help.

• Offer your help and support.

Where Can I Learn More?

For more information, check your local library or

school library for books and other materials on

alcohol and pregnancy. Many Web sites also have

information and materials. A good place to start is

www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov or

www.stopalcoholabuse.gov.

What Now?

Now that you know more about FASD, you can hel

your tribe or community have healthy babies. Using

the power of information, you can make smart

choices and help keep future generations healthy.

* May, P.A., and Gossage, J.P. 2001. Estimating the prevalenc

of fetal alcohol syndrome: A summary. Alcohol Research &

Health 25(3):159-167.

Youve probably heard that

alcohol is bad for you. But

did you know it can hurt

people even before they’re

born? Every year, at least

40,000 babies are born with

fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD.

*

What Is FASD?

“FASD” is a term that describes the range of effects

that can occur in someone whose mother drank

alcohol during pregnancy.

Children whose mothers drank during pregnancy

may need surgeries to fix physical problems. They

may also have brain damage that can make it hard

to remember things or solve problems. They may not

be able to follow simple instructions or form

friendships. These challenges may make it difficult to

focus in school or follow everyday routines.

What Do I Need To Know About FASD?

• FASD is permanent. It cannot be cured.

• FASD is 100 percent preventable. If a woman

doesn’t drink when she’s pregnant, her baby will

not have an FASD.

• No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during

pregnancy.

• One type of alcohol is not safer than another. Beer

and wine are just as harmful as hard liquor.

• If a pregnant woman stops drinking as soon as

possible, she can improve her chances of having a

healthy baby.

• People with an FASD can grow, improve, and

succeed in life with the right support.

What Can I Do To Prevent FASD?

You and your friends will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Your families, tribes, and communities are counting

on you. You can help make your community stronger

by working to prevent FASD.

The best way to prevent FASD is not to drink when

you’re pregnant. (Drinking while nursing can also

cause harm to a baby’s health.) You can share this

message with your mother, sisters, female friends,

and other girls and women you know: If you’re

pregnant (or nursing), don’t drink.

Guys may think preventing FASD isn’t their job since

they can’t get pregnant. But they can help the girls

and women in their lives avoid alcohol. If the guys

around them aren’t drinking, the women will be less

likely to drink.

Who Can I Talk to About FASD?

There are people in your community that you can talk

to about FASD. This is only a partial list. You might

know of other places and people.

• Science, biology, and other teachers

• Staff at Indian Health Service, tribal, and other

clinics and hospitals

• Alcohol and drug treatment centers

• Head Start programs

• Parents and other relatives

• Tribal and community leaders

• Spiritual leaders

One person can make a difference. You can share

information about FASD and spread the word that

pregnancy is sacred and pregnant women need to

be alcohol free.

Power

The

of Our