LEARNING ABOUT FASLEARNING ABOUT FAS

FETAL ALCOHOL FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROMESYNDROME

WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) describes a baby born with problems because the mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant.

FAS problems include:

• Slowed Growth - Babies may grow at a slower rate during pregnancy and after birth.

• Appearance - Some parts of the face of a FAS child may be different. These differences may not be seen as the child grows.

• Brain and Central Nervous System - This is the most important part, because alcohol can affect the brain for the rest of the baby’s life.

WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL EFFECTS?

Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) describes a baby who has just one or two FAS problems caused by the mother drinking while pregnant. FAE is not less serious than FAS; it is just more on the inside where it can’t be seen.

What is FAS?

If a mother drinks while she is pregnant, her baby could be born with FAS. FAS is the most common birth problem and it lasts a lifetime.

When does FAS occur?

FAS occurs during pregnancy. FAS can be stopped by not drinking during pregnancy. FAS is 100% preventable!!!

Whom does FAS affect?

• Unborn child

• Mom and Dad

• Brothers and Sisters

• Grandmas and Grandpas

• Aunties and Uncles, Cousins

• Teachers, Daycare workers…

• Everyone in the community

Where is FAS found?

FAS can be found anyplace where people drink alcohol.

How can we help prevent FAS in our community?

• By listening, learning and talking about FAS with others

• By supporting mothers in our community

HOW IS ALCOHOL PASSED HOW IS ALCOHOL PASSED ON TO THE BABY?ON TO THE BABY?

When a woman is pregnant, everything she eats or drinks goes to the baby. Alcohol crosses easily into the baby’s system from the mom. When alcohol is in the baby’s system, less oxygen and fewer nutrients get to the baby. Oxygen and nutrients are important for the baby’s growth. Alcohol damages the baby’s growth.

How the Baby Grows During Pregnancy

The Light portion shows when the baby is growing. Alcohol can still affect the baby’s growth.

The Dark portion shows when the baby is forming. Alcohol is most dangerous at this time.

How much alcohol the mother drinks and when she drinks will have different outcomes that are always harmful for the baby.

1st TRIMESTER1st TRIMESTER

WEEKS 1 - 4WEEKS 1 - 4

• 0.5 cm (1/4 in) long - about the size of a pea

• Spine and spinal cord are forming.

• Digestive system is forming.

• Umbilical cord is starting to form.

• Heart is beating by day 25.

1st TRIMESTER1st TRIMESTER

WEEKS 5 - 8WEEKS 5 - 8

• 2.8 cm (1 in) long

• Weighs 1 g

• Face is forming; eyes are shut.

• Internal organs and brain are forming.

• Arms and legs are forming.

1st TRIMESTER1st TRIMESTERWEEKS 9 - 12WEEKS 9 - 12

• 7.5 cm (3 in) long

• Weighs 28 g

• Arms and legs can move.

• Fingers and toes are forming.

• Fingerprints are forming.

• Baby can smile and frown.

• Tooth buds are forming.

FAS CAN BE STOPPED BY NOT DRINKING DURING

PREGNANCY!

2nd TRIMESTER2nd TRIMESTERWEEKS 13 - 16WEEKS 13 - 16

• 15 cm (6 in) long

• Weighs 115 g

• Heartbeat is strong.

• Muscles are active

(turns, rolls and kicks).

• Fingernails and toenails are forming.

• Baby can swallow.

2nd TRIMESTER2nd TRIMESTER

WEEKS 17 - 20WEEKS 17 - 20

• 25-30 cm (10-12 in) long

• Weighs about 450 g (1 lb)

• Heartbeat can be heard.

• Baby sucks thumb, and hiccups.

• Hair, eyelashes and eyebrows appear.

• Mother may feel movement.

2nd TRIMESTER2nd TRIMESTERWEEKS 21 - 24WEEKS 21 - 24

• 28-36 cm (11-14 in) long

• Weighs about 680 g (1.5 lb)

• Skin is wrinkled and has a creamy,

protective coating.

• Eyes open.

• Baby can wake, sleep, yawn,

cry and suck it’s thumb.

• Baby has a strong grip.

WEEKS 25 - 36WEEKS 25 - 36

• 36-48 cm (14-19 in) - lots of

growing

• Weight more than doubles from

1,000 g to 2,700 (2.25 lb to 6 lb)

• Baby is very active

(kicks and rolls).

• Breathing movements are made.

• Body fat is added.

• Brain is still growing.

3rd TRIMESTER3rd TRIMESTER

WEEKS 37 - 42WEEKS 37 - 42

• 50 cm (20 in) long

• Weighs 3,200 - 3,500 g

(7 - 7.5 lb)

• Lungs are mature.

• Body fat keeps baby warm.

• Fingernails have grown long.

• Head is large.

READY TO BE BORN!

3rd TRIMESTER3rd TRIMESTER

NEWBORNNEWBORN

HOW ALCOHOL COULDHOW ALCOHOL COULD

AFFECT THE NEWBORNAFFECT THE NEWBORN

• Small birth weight• Poor eating habits (when bottle feeding or

breastfeeding)

• Poor sleeping habits• Failure to thrive (to grow stronger)

NEWBORNNEWBORN

BREASTFEEDING AND ALCOHOLBREASTFEEDING AND ALCOHOL

Small amounts of alcohol do get into the breast milk and are passed on to the baby. When moms drink alcohol and breastfeed, the baby may show poor coordination (“be clumsy”). Remember that the brain is still growing until around the age of two, so alcohol can still be harmful.

THIS PRESENTATION WAS ORIGINALLY PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED IN A

FLIPCHART FORMAT BY ALBERTA ABORIGINAL

COMMITTEE ON FASc/o Box 34007

Kingsway Mall PO

Edmonton, Alberta T5G 3G4

Phone: 1-800-459-1884

In Edmonton: (780) 459-1884

Fax: (780) 458-1883

The committee gratefully acknowledges the contribution and support of the following

organizations and individuals:

• Alberta Children’s Services, Government of Alberta, for the financial resources

• Nechi Training, Research, and Health Promotions Institute for the administration of the contract

• Maria Keating for research and development

The committee gratefully acknowledges the contribution and support of the following

organizations and individuals:

• Sheanna Scanie (LeGoff School - Cold Lake First Nation) for her cover illustration

• Jadine Scanie-Roy (LeGoff School - Cold Lake First Nation) for her illustration

• Craig Janvier (LeGoff School - Cold Lake First Nation) for his illustration

PowerPoint Presentation PowerPoint Presentation Created By:Created By:

• Lauren Yallop (Psychology Intern Student at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre 2002/ 2003)

• Under the supervision of Will Smallacombe (Manager of Assessment and Treatment Services at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre)