Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is prevented by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. The exact amount of alcohol necessary to cause FAS is not known. The only guaranteed way to prevent birth defects as the result of alcohol exposure is to abstain from all alcohol for the duration of the pregnancy.

Despite a number of prevention efforts, including point-of-sale warning signs and bottle labeling, more than half the women of childbearing age (between 15 and 44 years) consume alcohol. Over 12 percent of women who are not using birth control and are at risk of becoming pregnant are drinking alcohol at levels that exceed seven drinks per week or four or more drinks per occasion, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many women who are pregnant continue to drink alcohol. Surveillance data indicate that 10 percent of pregnant women drink some alcohol and 2 percent are binge drinking.

In addition, many pregnancies are unplanned. Many women may not realize they are pregnant – especially during the first three to six weeks of pregnancy. Thus, any sexually active woman who is not taking measures to prevent pregnancy should avoid the use of alcohol to prevent FAS.

Pregnant women who are unable to stop drinking should contact their physician for help.