Alcohol Effects on a Fetus

Home Treatment

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant and are concerned that your child may have effects from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). If you are not able to talk openly with your current doctor, think about finding another doctor with whom you feel more comfortable. Your doctor should treat you with respect and be willing to work with you to find out whether your child is at risk for FASD-related problems. He or she should also make an effort to help you address and manage any alcohol-related problems that you may have. Call your local hospital or a community referral center for suggestions on finding a doctor or other support person.

If your child has FASD, you can help by:

• Getting treatment for any alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse problems that you or other members of your family may have. Identifying and managing alcohol problems will help you provide the stability and security your child needs to develop to his or her full potential. For more information, see the Interactive Tool: Do You Have a Drinking Problem?
• Learning how to care for your baby who was exposed to alcohol before birth. A baby with a severe form of FASD, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol abuse syndrome (FAAS), may be very sensitive to stimulation (touch, sounds, and light), have sucking problems, and have trouble accomplishing developmental tasks. If your baby seems irritable and colicky, try to soothe him or her in a quiet, dark room. Avoid as much as possible taking your baby to crowded or noisy places. If feeding is difficult, feed your baby smaller amounts more frequently, maybe as often as every hour. If you bottle-feed your baby, use a nipple made for a premature infant.
• Encouraging your toddler or school-age child to gain independence and to behave well. Providing structure and seeking intervention when needed are important for reaching these goals.
• Scheduling regular visits to the doctor as your child grows. These visits are important for monitoring the effects of alcohol exposure. Treating problems early can help minimize their effect on your child's development.
• Enrolling your child in an early intervention program as soon as possible. Laws in the United States protect the right to education for all children. This includes children who have trouble learning because of FASD. The laws protect a parent's right to be fully informed about educational decisions that concern his or her child. The laws also gives a parent the right to disagree with any decision. Contact your state and local education departments to find out what services your child can be a part of.
• Helping your teen or young adult adapt to greater responsibilities. A teen may benefit from social skills training, which may include professional counseling for emotional problems or a mental disorder, such as depression. Use community services, such as vocational training programs, to help your teen or young adult prepare for and find an appropriate job. A young adult who is severely affected may need to live and work in a situation that provides supervision. But many adults who have effects from alcohol exposure before birth can live independently.

A child who has FASD is at risk for low self-esteem, which is a child's core belief about himself or herself. You can help your child develop a healthy self-esteem by encouraging a sense of belonging, a feeling of being valued, and confidence in learning.

Growth and development: Helping your child build self-esteem

Help for parents

One of the most important ways you can help your child who has FASD is to take care of yourself. Talk with your doctor about resources in your community that may help you and your child. Staying positive and healthy makes it more likely you will have the strength to provide a loving, stable home. These qualities are important for your child to develop to his or her full potential.

You may need help dealing with your feelings about your child's problems. Seek counseling if you need it. For more information, see the topic Grief and Grieving.

If you are pregnant, don't drink. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that all pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant not drink alcohol.³

Get alcohol treatment if you or other members of your family have an alcohol problem. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy until after you complete treatment. For more information, see the topic Alcohol Abuse and Dependence.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: March 17, 2009
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
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