1. LEARNING ABOUT FAS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

2. WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME? Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) describes a baby born with problems because the mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. When does FAS occur? FAS occurs during pregnancy. FAS can be stopped by not drinking during pregnancy. FAS is 100% preventable!!!

7. 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

8. Where is FAS found? FAS can be found anyplace where people drink alcohol.

9. How can we help prevent FAS in our community? By listening, learning and talking about FAS with others By supporting mothers in our community

10. HOW IS ALCOHOL PASSED 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 1st TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

14. 1st TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

15. 1st TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

16. FAS CAN BE STOPPED BY NOT DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY!

17. 2nd TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

18. 2nd TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

19. 2nd TRIMESTER WEEKS 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.

20. WEEKS 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 TRIMESTER

21. WEEKS 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 TRIMESTER

23. NEWBORN HOW ALCOHOL COULD AFFECT THE NEWBORN Small birth weight Poor eating habits (when bottle feeding or breastfeeding) Poor sleeping habits Failure to thrive (to grow stronger)

24. NEWBORN BREASTFEEDING 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.

25. THIS PRESENTATION WAS ORIGINALLY PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED IN A FLIPCHART FORMAT BY ALBERTA ABORIGINAL COMMITTEE ON FAS c/o Box 34007 Kingsway Mall PO Edmonton, Alberta T5G 3G4 Phone: 1-800-459-1884 In Edmonton: (780) 459-1884 Fax: (780) 458-1883

26. 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

27. 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

28. PowerPoint Presentation 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)