Day focuses on FASD

On September 9, at 9:09 a.m., Saskatchewan communities are proclaiming, "Together we can prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in our community". September 9th is FASD Awareness Day. This time and date is significant because it represents the 9 months of pregnancy when alcohol can negatively impact the fetus. Women who avoid drinking alcohol while pregnant help to prevent the leading preventable cause of cognitive disability - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

During the 9 months of pregnancy, the unborn baby (fetus) is growing and developing in the womb. The mother feeds and nourishes her baby through the placenta and the umbilical cord, meaning that everything a mother eats and drinks is shared with her fetus. Alcohol is a dangerous teratogen (poison) that attacks the cells of the developing baby, causing cell death and damage.

The result for the baby is a lifelong disability, including physical and neurological damage. This can lead to behaviour and learning difficulties that will have an impact on the child and his/her family and permanently affect their lives.

FASD is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is a range of possible outcomes, depending on how much and how often a mother drinks alcohol. FASD is often considered an 'invisible' disability because damage to the brain is not visible.

Noreen Agrey, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, states, "The good news is that with help and support FASD can be prevented. When a woman plans her pregnancy and chooses not to drink alcohol for the 9 months of pregnancy, her baby will not be born with an FASD. If a pregnant woman has an unplanned pregnancy, choosing to stop drinking when she finds out she is pregnant improves her baby's chances of being born without this disability."

Communities are spreading the word: "Prevent FASD: Plan an alcohol free pregnancy". They hope to share this message by hosting community events, such as walks, presentations, breakfasts and other events, on September 9th. Their mission is to spread FASD information and raise awareness about the importance of supporting a woman's choice to not drink while pregnant. This support can include providing non alcoholic drinks, stopping peer pressure to drink, drinking non-alcoholic drinks with her, finding help for her to stop/reduce drinking, and helping fathers recognize their roles in positively supporting their partners to have an alcohol free pregnancy.

The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, a provincial, non-profit organization has been working since 1980 to raise awareness and educate others about the prevention of disabling conditions in children.