Alcohol is the most preventable cause of developmental disabilities.
The common myth is that only women struggling with alcoholism are at risk of having a child with an FASD. During pregnancy, alcohol can pass from the pregnant person to the fetus and affect its development. Not all babies will be affected by alcohol during pregnancy. However, it is impossible to know which babies will be affected.
Often with an unplanned pregnancy, a woman may not be aware that she is pregnant. There is no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a person knows they are pregnant. Disabilities can include the following: medical, cognitive, neurological, linguistic, motor, learning disabilities and mental health issues.
