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Sask. Prevention Institute encourages support ahead of FASD Awareness Day

Sep 7, 2018 | 12:56 PM

An organization working to reduce the number of children suffering from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is encouraging everyone to support expectant mothers hoping to quit booze. 

Saturday marks International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, and the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute has a number of ways people can support expectant mothers. FASD occurs as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure, according to a release from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute. Medical research cannot identify an amount of prenatal alcohol exposure that is risk-free to an unborn baby, the organization says. 

“Supporting a mother-to-be to not use alcohol is an important role for partners, family and friends,” the release adds. 

Enjoying activities without alcohol, and stopping or reducing personal drinking are some of the ways the organization says people can show their support. Talking and discussing FASD, and learning about addiction services and peer supports in the community are also recommended.

Healthcare workers are advised to ask women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant about their alcohol use.

“Almost nine in 10 women stop drinking during pregnancy,” Marlene Dray, FASD Prevention Coordinator for the prevention institute said. “For some women, it is easy to quit drinking during pregnancy; for others, it is not so easy.”

Joelle Schaefer, the prevention institute’s executive director cited a study conducted in Toronto which surveyed 2,555 seven-to-nine-year-old children “reflective of Canada’s diverse population,” which found two to three per cent of students had experienced prenatal alcohol exposure and had FASD.

Schaefer said the study found similar results to other studies conducted in the United States, proving the value of International FASD Awareness Day and the continued need for awareness. 

The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute says it is healthiest for a mom and her baby to not consume any alcohol at all during pregnancy, or to stop drinking as soon as possible.

 

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