ALCOHOL AWARENESS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
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A SERVICE PROJECT FOR PO #15
YOUNG CHILDREN: PRIORITY ONE
ALCOHOL AWARENESS
FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
As much as 90 percent of six beers) gives birth to a
The Need the public know that drinking child with the full range of
alcohol during pregnancy can FAS effects. Some
Drinking alcohol during hurt unborn children, researchers have found an
pregnancy is gambling with a according to a study in the association between binge
child's life. A few drinks American Journal of Public drinking (five or more drinks
daily can lead to decreased Health. However, the on any one occasion) and
birth-weight and size, growth understanding of the problem FAS.
abnormalities, and behavior is very vague. A third of the An FAS child is born at
problems. As the average women interviewed believed low birth weight, reduced
daily consumption of alcohol that a pregnant woman could length, an abnormally small
increases, even more serious safely consume three drinks a head and brain, central
problems can threaten the day. Another study showed nervous system damage, and
unborn child: stillbirth, joint that only 55 percent of possible malformations of
and organ malformations, and women ages 18 to 34 had organs and physical features.
mental retardation. heard of fetal alcohol “Fetal alcohol effects”
This is a serious problem syndrome. (FAE) describes the damage
today because one in six to children caused by lower
women in peak childbearing levels of drinking during
years (18 to 34) may drink pregnancy. Children with
enough to hurt their unborn fetal alcohol effects have
babies, according to the Understanding some but not all of the
National Council on the Terms problems listed above, in a
Alcoholism and Drug milder form.
Dependence. Consumption Women who drink
“Fetal alcohol syndrome”
rates continue to increase. A heavily throughout pregnancy
(FAS) describes the most
marketing study described in may have children with no
extreme effects of alcohol
Advertising Age magazine signs of fetal alcohol
consumption on a newborn.
predicts that women's syndrome. Others who drink
One pregnant woman in three
expenditures on alcohol will at low to moderate levels will
who daily drinks three ounces
increase to $30 billion by have babies with alcohol-
of alcohol (six mixed drinks
1994—a 50 percent increase related damage. For this
or
in ten years. reason, the safest advice isnot to drink alcohol during differently to this message. The first step for this
pregnancy. Some women are casual group may be to study the
Studies in France, social drinkers, and learning frequency of FAS and FAE
Sweden, and the United about the relationship among infants and other age
States indicate that one child between drinking alcohol, groups in the community.
in 1,000 will be born with FAS, and FAE will be This will indicate the severity
FAS. Other studies put the enough to stop them from of the problem and establish
rate at 1 to 2 per 1,000 for the drinking during pregnancy. a basis for evaluating the
general population and higher Others are habitual impact of education and
for certain groups. In 1993, drinkers or alcohol- intervention efforts. This
the Centers for Disease dependent. Some will want study should result in a
Control estimated that, in the to stop but have a hard time sustained effort to identify
United States, 5,000 children doing so. Others won't want newborns with possible
with FAS and 8,000 to to stop. FAS/FAE.
16,000 with FAE are born The challenge for With this new
each year. Kiwanis clubs is three-fold: information the group should
Because many of the to ensure that community be able to define the target
effects of alcohol damage efforts to combat fetal audience of the awareness
may not be apparent at birth damage due to alcohol are Campaign—the women who
(mental retardation, behavior well coordinated, to build are drinking during
problems, poor coordination), general awareness, and to pregnancy. The group may
some experts believe that provide support to women also want to explore the
fetal alcohol effects are who want to stop drinking. potential for setting up a
underdiagnosed. screening program to identify
pregnant women with alcohol
Coordinating Efforts problems who should be
encouraged to seek help to
The Challenge The first step in an stop drinking.
alcohol awareness campaign
Warnings about not is a meeting with the
drinking during pregnancy agencies that are already
involved—or would like to
Building Public
date back as far as Aristotle
and the Bible: get involved—with this issue. Awareness
This may include the health Events and Gimmicks
Behold now, you are barren department, social service
and have borne providers, organizations that Pregnant Women Pour—
no children, but you shall address alcoholism and Organize an event at which
conceive and give birth alcohol problems, members women who have just learned
to a son. Now therefore, be of the medical community they are pregnant (or who are
careful not to drink wine (pediatricians, obstetricians, going to start trying to be
or strong drink, nor eat any nurses, hospitals, health pregnant) pour away the
unclean thing. educators, psychologists, remains of any liquor they
—The Bible, Judges 13:2-3 counselors), mental have at home. Stage the
retardation support programs, event at the hospital where
Organizations like the support programs, Alcoholics they will deliver their
March of Dimes are issuing Anonymous, rehabilitation children. Have a
an updated version of this centers, the nearest March of representative from a
message today. Dimes chapter, parents of supermarket or dairy present
Unfortunately, not all the FAS children, school each woman with a quart of
women who need to hear it counselors, and owners of milk. Invite newspapers,
have. And women react local bars and liquor stores. radio stations, and televisionreporters to cover the event. department, drug stores, and Radio
Take pictures so that you can liquor stores. To print
Public Service
submit them with your press enough to really cover the
Announcements (PSAs)—
release. community, offer to give
Write short announcements
credit on the pamphlet to a
that explain the reason why
Free Milk for Pregnant printer who will donate the
pregnant women shouldn't
Women—Encourage local printing.
drink. Design them to be
bars and restaurants that
read in 10, 15, 20, and 30
serve alcohol to offer free Public Service Ads (PSAs)—
seconds. Take copies to local
milk (or fruit juice) to women Take prepared ads to local
radio stations and ask that
who are pregnant. Create a newspapers and ask them to
they be read. Or, you can
poster or table card for bars print them as a public service.
purchase taped PSAs and
to use in educating their Better yet, ask the companies
carry these to local stations.
clientele. Put out a flyer that that are major advertisers in
Ask that the station commit
lists the participating the paper to take your PSA
to playing the tape at specific
establishments. in for you.
times.
Communicate the message
that they are proud to help Press Releases—Send out
pregnant women have press releases to every news Interviews—Persuade the
healthy babies. source in the community to most articulate members of
tell what your needs survey the coalition (a doctor, an
Companies Care Program— discovered—and include expert on mental retardation
Arrange for local experts to information on FAS and and alcoholism, an adoptive
talk at employee meetings of FAE. parent of an FAS child) to
companies about the agree to be interviewed.
importance of avoiding Op-Ed Pieces—Opposite the Then, contact the news
alcohol during pregnancy. editorial page is a page where departments or talk show
Use representatives from the opinion pieces are printed. hosts about doing a series of
public health Have one of the medical interviews to increase
department, March of Dimes, experts in your coalition awareness of the dangers of
and family and child services write an op-ed piece and drinking while pregnant.
departments. hand deliver it to the person
in charge of the editorial and Call-in Shows—Urge a
Print opinion pages. Explain who station with a call-in show
The sample materials in the wrote the piece and that you aimed at women to use one of
back of this bulletin and the personally brought it in to the medical experts from
list of materials available explain your campaign. your coalition or the
from various caregiver of an FAS child as
organizations provide a range Posters—Sponsor a local a featured guest.
of print, audio, and video poster contest (or get the
aterials that your club or local newspaper or printer to Video
coalition can use. Listed sponsor the contest) for the Donate Videotapes—
below are suggestions on best poster on not drinking Purchase educational videos
integrating these materials while pregnant. Put up the and donate them to clinics
into your campaign. winning posters at clinics, (where they can be played in
doctors' offices, and every the waiting room), child birth
Pamphlets—Produce or place liquor is sold. educators, schools, and
purchase in quantity. Leave libraries.
at clinics, doctors' offices,
high schools, college
campuses, the healthCable Broadcasts—Urge the cannot afford this must have stop drinking. This listing
local cable television access to free prenatal care. should include programs that
franchise to run a video about If a free clinic for can help a family assist a
fetal alcohol syndrome and prenatal care does not exist in woman who denies her
fetal alcohol effects on the the community, the coalition problem.
local access channel. can develop one, using
resources contributed by the Home Visitation Program—
Public Service members. Several doctors Women are most likely to
Announcements (PSAs)— will need to volunteer a few learn from and follow the
Visit local stations with a hours each week. A hospital advice of someone like
PSA on avoiding alcohol or social service agency can themselves. That is why the
while pregnant. Urge them to contribute materials and home visitation and resource
dub their own copy from space. Record keeping can mother programs are so
your master and play the PSA be done by volunteers, and successful. These
regularly. your Kiwanis club could programs train volunteers
provide lights, waiting room from the neighborhood to
Interviews—Urge the local furniture, and educational visit pregnant women and
news stations' medical materials. make sure they're doing the
reporter or the host of the If a free clinic already is right things to ensure a
local video magazine show to in operation, the club may healthy pregnancy. As trust
interview one of the need to publicize its location develops, the home visitor
spokespersons for your and hours or offer can help the expectant
coalition. transportation to it. mother negotiate the
complexities of the health
Telephone Help Line—A care system or secure
Services to Pregnant telephone help line for financial assistance. The
Women pregnant women can answer Cooperative Extension
all kinds of questions, Service has “Mentor Mother”
Awareness is not enough. meanwhile promoting healthy programs in some states, and
Women need support. Every pregnancies. Besides giving some public health
pregnant woman needs to advice on proper nutrition departments have outreach
have prenatal care. Those and the dangers of alcohol, mothers programs. For more
who are alcohol dependent cigarettes, and drugs, the help information on these
need support to avoid line can provide moral programs, request service
drinking, and the families of support to women who have bulletin PO #17, “Home
pregnant women who won't a difficult time avoiding Visitation Programs” from
face their drinking problem alcohol. Volunteers will the Kiwanis International
may need assistance to need to be trained to give Office and contact the
intervene. standard advice, and a National Commission to
counselor (who can Prevent Infant Mortality for
Free Prenatal Care—The help in a crisis) should additional materials.
first step to a healthy always be on call. The help
pregnancy is to get prenatal line can also connect women
care—regular visits to a to the free clinic or to
doctor. Doctors give advice counseling resources.
on how to have healthy
pregnancies (no alcohol is Resource Sheet—Create a
one piece of advice) and resource sheet of counseling
address any health problems and therapy programs
that develop. Women who available to women who need
assistance toInstructions
For each of these samples, retype the text double-spaced and with appropriate margins (2” for the radio scripts;
1” for the others). Make copies of the radio PSA and distribute them to local radio stations. Develop and distribute
your own press release using a format similar to the sample. Submit the op-ed piece to your local newspaper editor
and ask that it appear as an op-ed piece or letter to the editor.
Sample Press Release Radio Public Service Announcement
For Immediate Release Radio Public Service Announcements
For more information, contact: Kiwanis Club of Milkwood
Dylan Thomas 10 seconds
555-4356 Drinking while pregnant can damage your unborn baby. Play it safe. Don't
drink while you're pregnant.
“Alcohol is killing and maiming our babies,” says pediatrician
Shirley Handel, spokesperson for the Priority One Committee of A message from this station and the Milkwood Kiwanis club.
Milkwood. Six children born in Milkwood County over the past 12
months have birth defects that were caused by their mothers' 10 seconds
consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, according to Dr. Handel. And If you're pregnant and you drink alcohol, you're gambling with the life and
alcohol consumption was linked to three pregnancies that did not come to health of your unborn child. So, drink for your baby. Have milk or juice.
term.
A message from this station and the Milkwood Healthy Baby Committee.
All of these problems were preventable, according to a report
written by the Priority One Committee and presented by Dr. Handel. 15 seconds
“Alcohol cannot cause birth defects if pregnant women don't drink it,” You wouldn't give your newborn baby a beer. But while you're pregnant,
says Dr. Handel. any alcohol you drink reaches your baby a minute after you swallow. So
don't swallow any at all.
Women in Milkwood County need to be better educated about
drinking alcohol during pregnancy, notes the report. That is why it A message from this station and the Kiwanis Club of Milkwood.
recommends development of an education and outreach campaign to alert
all women of childbearing age that alcohol should be avoided during 20 seconds
pregnancy. Imagine a ten-year-old child the size of a six-year-old. Imagine that she has
“Anyone who wants to help in this campaign should come to the an IQ of 65. Imagine that she's your child. Now, imagine someone asking,
Committee's next meeting,” urges Dr. Handel. It will meet at Wales “Why did you drink before she was born?”
Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, November 8, at 7:00 pm. The committee
includes representatives from the Milkwood Kiwanis club; March of If you're pregnant, don't drink alcohol.
Dimes; Alcoholics Anonymous; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies;
Obstetrics and Pediatrics Depts. of Milkwood Hospital; and Milkwood A message from this station and the Alcohol-Free Babies Committee.
Counseling.
30 seconds
Nationally, one child in 750 is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome If you're pregnant and you drink alcohol, so does your unborn child. But
(FAS) and more are born with Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). FAS is a set your baby's body isn't old enough to cope. A drink or two each day could
of birth defects that includes growth deficiency, facial malformations, mean lower birthweight or growth problems for your baby. And enough
central nervous system damage, and other defects. Children with FAE are alcohol to give you a hangover could leave him mentally retarded. So,
also born with some of these problems. All of these defects are caused remember, every drink is for both of you. And your baby's way too young
by women drinking alcohol during pregnancy. to start.
The Kiwanis Club of Milkwood developed this project as part of its A message from this station and the Kiwanis Club of Milkwood.
Young Children: Priority One efforts that address the needs of young
children, prenatal through age five.Op-Ed Piece
The Importance of Alcohol Awareness for Pregnant Women
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) are the terms used to describe a combination of physical
and mental birth defects that may develop when expectant mothers drink excessive amounts of
alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is one of the few known causes of birth defects that produce
mental retardation. It is certainly the most preventable.
Babies born with FAS or FAE are abnormally small at birth and usually do not catch up as they
get older. In most cases they have small, widely spaced eyes, a short, upturned nose, and small,
flat cheeks. They may suffer from a variety of organ malformations, particularly of the heart.
Most babies with FAS/FAE have small brains and some degree of mental retardation. Many are
poorly coordinated, have short attention spans, and exhibit behavioral problems.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was first identified in 1973. Cases of FAS have now been reported in
most countries and among all socio-economic groups. In the United States, one out of every 750
newborns—about 5,000 babies per year—have FAS. The Centers for Disease Control estimates
that, in the United States, 10,000 newborns each year may be affected by FAE.
Researchers don't know how alcohol causes damage to the fetus. They do know that alcohol
passes directly through the placenta to a fetus soon after being consumed by the mother. A baby
gets as much alcohol as a mother drinks. However, because an unborn baby's liver is immature, it
cannot break down the alcohol. It remains in the child's system until it can move back into the
mother's bloodstream to be oxidized. As a result, the alcohol level in the fetus's blood actually
can be higher than in the mother's blood.
How much is too much? Women who drink the equivalent of three ounces of pure alcohol each
day (six mixed drinks or six cans of beer) frequently give birth to babies who have the full range
of FAS. Moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy (two to five drinks daily) also can cause
FAE.. Because some women who drink heavily throughout pregnancy have children with no
signs of FAS but others
who drink sparingly have babies with FAE, the safest advice is not to drink any alcohol during
pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of other problems. Heavy drinkers are two to four
times more likely to have a miscarriage between the fourth and sixth months of pregnancy.
Heavy drinkers are also two to three times more likely to lose their babies during the perinatal
period.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is completely preventable if a pregnant woman does not drink. Women
planning a pregnancy should stop consuming alcohol before attempting to conceive and should
abstain throughout pregnancy and nursing. Women who drink and have unplanned pregnancies
should abstain as soon as they suspect they are pregnant. Heavy drinkers should avoid
pregnancy until they are certain that they can abstain from alcohol for the entire term from
conception to birth.SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORT MATERIALS
The following organizations have educational materials on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or Fetal Alcohol
Effects. Please contact one or all of these organizations for additional information
AIMS MultiMedia Milner-Fenwick, Inc.
9710 DeSoto Avenue 2125 Greenspring Drive National Organization on
Chatsworth, CA 91311-4409 Timonium, MD 21093 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(800) 367-2467 (301) 252-1700 (NOFAS)
www.aimsmultimedia.com (800) 638-8652 900 17th Street NW
Fax: 410/252-6316 Ste. 910
Videos Washington, DC 20006
Videos 202/785-4585
1-800-66NOFAS
The Association for Fax: 202/466-6456
Retarded Citizens National Clearinghouse for www.nofas.org
The ARC of the U.S. Alcohol and Drug
1010 Wayne Avenue Information (NCADI) Books, brochures, videos
Ste. 650 11426 Rockville Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20910 P.O. Box 2345
301/565-3842 Rockville, MD 20852 Wisconsin Clearinghouse
Fax: 301/565-3843 (301) 468-2600 for Prevention Resources
www.thearc.org/ (800) 729-6686 1552 University Avenue
pubtemp.htm www.health.org Madison, WI 53726-4085
www.ncadi.samhsa.gov -or-
Brochures, printed materials, P.O. Box 1468
FAS kits, videos Pamphlets, fact sheets, Madison, WI 53701-1468
videos, posters 608/262-9157
800/248-9244
March of Dimes Birth Fax: 608/262-6346
Defects Foundation National Health www.wch.uhs.wis.edu
Materials and Supply Information Center www.dhfs.state.wi.us
Division Referral Speicalist www.wisc.edu
1275 Mamaroneck Ave. PO Box 1133
White Plains, NY 10605 Washington, DC 20013 Brochures, pamphlets, fact
(914) 428-7100 Phone: 301/565-4167 sheets.
www.marchofdimes.com 800/336-4797
Fax: 301/984-4256
Pamphlets, fact sheet, videos
Videos, posters, t-shirts,
books, bumper stickers,
brochuresService Programs Department
Kiwanis International
3636 Woodview Trace
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196
(317) 875-8755 Worldwide
(800) 879-4769 North America
(317) 879-0204 Fax
Email: service@kiwanis.orgRemember, it doesn't matter if it's beer,
wine, or a mixed drink. It's still alcohol, and
alcohol hurts sometimes kills children.
Please don't drink if you're pregnant.
Avoid
Alcohol
While you’re
Pregnant!
For more information,
contact:
Distributed by your local Kiwanis club as part of the
Kiwanis International service program DON’T
GAMBLE
Young Children: Priority One.
National Organization
on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
900 17th Street NW
Ste. 910 WITH YOUR
CHILD’S
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 785-4585
1-800-66NOFAS
www.nofas.org
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Service Programs Department
Kiwanis International
FUTURE
1275 Mamaroneck Ave. 3636 Woodview Trace
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196
White Plains, NY 10605
(317) 875-8755
(914) 428-7100
www.marchofdimes.comconsume alcohol there are children born
You Share Your damaged by alcohol.
Drinks Studies in three countries indicate that as
many as 1 in 1,000 infants is born with Fetal
If you're pregnant, you share all the alcohol Alcohol Syndrome. Up to 10 times that
you drink with your unborn baby. And your number are born with Fetal Alcohol Effects.
baby's body isn't old enough to cope.
In the United States alone, the annual
Just a few drinks a week have caused treatment costs for everyone with FAS
miscarriages and stillbirths. infants, children, and adults was estimated to
be more than $1.4 billion in 1980.
Other developing babies cope with one or Estimated productivity losses were another
two drinks on a regular basis. But they may
be born underweight, undersize, with Stop Now! half billion dollars.
behavior problems. These are Fetal The institutional and medical costs for one
Alcohol Effects. If you even think you might be pregnant, child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are
don't drink! estimated to be $1.4 million over a lifetime.
And some unborn babies regularly have to
face four or five drinks at a time. They may If you have been drinking, please stop! More shocking than all of these statistics is
be born with additional problems: You can still help your baby. one encounter with a child who is half the
small heads size he should be and has a small head,
facial malformations Doctors don't know why the effects of a flattened face, and only one ear. An IQ of
nervous system problems mother's drinking vary from baby to baby. 65.
heart, kidney, and joint defects They do know that the more you drink, the
more you're gambling with your baby's life. Imagine that boy. Then, remember that he
These problems are called Fetal Alcohol would be normal if his mother had avoided
Syndrome. alcohol.
Mental retardation, growth deficiency, poor Stay Dry with the
coordination, and behavior Baby
problems will be their legacy as they
get older. As long as you nurse your baby, stay away
from drinking. Because the alcohol you
drink will end up in your milk.
In countries around the world, among the
rich and the poor anywhere humansYou can also read
