International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day

9 September

World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day is celebrated each year at nine minutes past nine on the ninth day of the ninth month to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol for nine months whilst pregnant.

The alcohol the mother drinks enters the unborn baby's bloodstream causing damage to the foetus. Such damage is permanent and irreversible. FAS children will have physical and intellectual problems.

Basic health messages:

Stop drinking alcohol if you are thinking of falling pregnant.
Stop drinking alcohol if you are pregnant.
If you cannot stop, drink less and seek professional help.
Whatever the mother drinks so does the unborn baby.
Alcohol harms unborn babies who will need special care all their lives because they could suffer from physical defects, abnormal facial anomalies and be mentally challenged.
Babies will not develop Foetal Alcohol Syndrome if the mother does not drink alcohol.
If you drink alcohol do not fall pregnant. Use contraceptives correctly.

Source: Cape gateway

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Last modified: 30 December 2011 10:06:16.