This booklet was written by the FASD Family Support, Education and Counselling Program of New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families and in consultation with Dr. Anna Hanlon-Dearman and Dorothy Schwab of the Manitoba FASD Centre.
This booklet is meant to be a quick reference guide.
Excerpt from the booklet:
We All Have a Role in Preventing FASD and Understanding the Effects of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy.
Did You Know?
Family members, partners, friends, community and society all have a responsibility to become aware and understand the impact alcohol plays in the lives of women who use alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol is the single most widely accepted and used substance in society.
• In 2010, 77% of Canadian’s reported drinking (alcohol) in the past year.
• Statistics show that 76% of women surveyed in the Canadian Addictions survey reported drinking (alcohol) in the past year.
• Research shows that approximately 50% of pregnancies are unplanned.
• All women of child bearing age, who are sexually active and consuming alcohol, are at risk of having a child with FASD.
• Most women don’t realize they are pregnant until six weeks or more into their pregnancy. • No woman intentionally seeks to harm her unborn child.
• Lack of information, peer pressure, poverty, homelessness, violence and childhood abuse, isolation, poor mental health, addiction and lack of access to resources are contributing factors to alcohol use during pregnancy.
• While men cannot cause FASD, they have a role in prevention by helping the women in their lives remain alcohol free.
Click here to download the booklet.