Frequently Asked Questions
- How much alcohol is safe to drink while pregnant?
- Is there any kind of alcohol that is safe to drink during pregnancy?
- What if I am pregnant and have been drinking?
- What kind of harm can alcohol do to an unborn baby?
- When is it safe to drink alcohol while pregnant?
- Does drinking during breastfeeding cause FASD?
- What if someone you know is drinking while pregnant?
- What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?
- Can FASD be cured?
- What are the Statistics and Facts about FASD?
- I think that I might have FASD. What do I do?
- Is there a list of FASD experts in the NWT?
- Can the biological father cause FASD?
How much alcohol is safe to drink while pregnant?
THERE IS NO SAFE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL TO DRINK WHILE PREGNANT.
Is there any kind of alcohol that is safe to drink during pregnancy?
There is no kind of alcohol that is safe to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol in any drink could hurt an unborn baby. There is the same amount of alcohol in a bottle of beer, one-half glass of wine, thirty millilitres of liquor or a cooler.
What if I am pregnant and have been drinking?
The most important thing you can do right now is stop drinking. This will help you and your baby. If you need help to stop drinking, contact your local women’s organization, health centre, community wellness worker, drug and alcohol worker and/or a friend. You can also call the Health Line service at 1-888-255-1010.
What kind of harm can alcohol do to an unborn baby?
Alcohol ingested by a pregnant woman enters her bloodstream and then enters the unborn baby’s bloodstream. The developing baby’s brain is affected by the alcohol and does not develop normally. The age of the baby and the amount of alcohol ingested impact the amount of brain damage that occurs.
When is it safe to drink alcohol while pregnant?
THERE IS NO SAFE TIME TO ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY.
Does drinking during breastfeeding cause FASD?
No. FASD is only caused by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding and drinking alcohol, the alcohol will pass from breast milk to the baby as the baby is feeding. Drinking during breastfeeding is not recommended. The baby’s brain and spinal cord continue to develop after birth and may be affected by alcohol.
What if someone you know is drinking while pregnant?
If you are concerned about someone’s drinking while pregnant, you could talk with a community counsellor, health centre, family physician, minister/priest or family. These people may be able to assist you in approaching your friend who is drinking.
What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term that describes the range of physical, mental and behavioural disabilities that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. FASD describes irreversible brain damage which may result in any of several alcohol-related medical diagnoses including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (partial FAS), Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) and Alcohol-related Birth Defects (ARBD).
There is no cure for FASD. FASD causes permanent brain damage to an unborn baby.
People with FASD can do very well with the help of family, friends and special supports and services. These supports and services include specialized education programs, vocational programs, and supportive living.
What are the Statistics and Facts about FASD?
To date, there are no statistics on the number of individuals with FASD in the Northwest Territories. Health Canada suggests that 9 out 1000 births in Canada are affected by FASD. FASD is the leading cause of developmental delay in children in Canada.
I think that I might have FASD. What do I do?
It is recommended that you talk with your community health centre or your family doctor.
Is there a list of FASD experts in the NWT?
There are many people in the NWT who work with individuals and families with FASD.
In communities:
- nurses, community health representatives, social workers, community wellness workers, teachers, FASD community groups, correctional centre workers
In the health and social services:
- a care coordinator
- family physicians, paediatricians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and social work
- mental health professionals
In Education:
- inclusive schooling consultants, program support teachers, classroom assistants
Can the biological father cause FASD?
No, FASD is caused only by the mother drinking while she is pregnant. However, the father's drinking can lower his testosterone levels, decrease his healthy sperm, and increase the risk of disorders in offspring. Preliminary animal studies indicate that alcohol can damage the DNA in male sperm. (Abel, 1992: Paternal Exposure to Alcohol).
The father's drinking can make it more difficult for his pregnant partner to not drink while she is pregnant. Women with partners who drink are also more likely to drink, so a big role for future fathers is to support the women's choice not to drink during pregnancy.