Drinking in Pregnancy - No Safe Time, No Safe Amount (1)

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – September 9th is FASD Day - We remind everyone that there is no safe time, no safe amount and no safe kind of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. To raise awareness, events will take place across the region, province and country in September and throughout the year.

A safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy has not been found. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol it crosses the placenta and it can affect the developing brain and organs of the unborn baby.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term used to describe the range of permanent birth defects caused by alcohol consumption in pregnancy. FASD does not look the same in each person, it is difficult to diagnose, and the full effects may not be apparent until a child is older which makes FASD difficult to study. As a result, there are conflicting reports about the dangers of drinking in pregnancy.

We do know the baby’s brain continues to develop throughout pregnancy, and that brain damage can occur at any time if alcohol is consumed. Permanent brain damage is the biggest risk to the unborn baby when mothers drink and will result in an irreversible disability.

If you are trying to get pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or you are pregnant, the safest choice is to be alcohol free. If you drink alcohol, use a reliable form of birth control to prevent an alcohol exposed pregnancy.

Waiting until a woman is pregnant to make her aware of the dangers of drinking in pregnancy is too late. With 50% of pregnancies being unplanned women need to be aware, monitor and control their drinking habits before they are pregnant. To reduce the impact of FASD on our community we can all support potential parents in our region to remain alcohol-free when planning a pregnancy and when pregnant.

From 2003 to 2010, women 25-34 years of age experienced the fastest increase in risky drinking of any age group and gender (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012). This age group accounts for over 62% of births in Canada. Women aged 18-34 account for approximately 80% of births in Canada. This is why it is so important to educate women about the dangers of drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy. (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2014)

Did you know?

  • FASD Is the leading cause of developmental disability in Canada
  • FASD affects 1-2% of Canadians. Experts feel the rate is higher as diagnosis is difficult
  • FASD costs Canadians 5.3 - 7.6 billion dollars every year in care
  • FASD is estimated to be ten times higher in Canadian prisons
  • $150,000 on FASD prevention saves $1.6 million in treatment – huge return on investment

What Can You Do?

  • Spread the truth - Ensure everyone around you knows the real risks of drinking in pregnancy
  • Have fun without alcohol – Start a trend – Have a “Mocktail Party”
  • If you are a woman who drinks, or you have sex with women who drink, ensure you use reliable birth control every time you have sex to prevent an alcohol exposed pregnancy
  • Find out about Canada’s Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and follow them to decrease the risk of FASD, chronic disease and a potential addiction to alcohol
  • Assess your own drinking habits at Rethink Your Drink  

What Can Ontario Do to Decrease the Rate of FASD?

  • Ensure all health care providers discuss the dangers of alcohol use in pregnancy with all people of childbearing age. With 50% of pregnancies being unplanned, waiting until pregnancy is too late
  • Advocate for an integrated strategy to address FASD. Ontario is behind western provinces that have organized approaches to address FASD including prevention, diagnosis, intervention and support. With this approach western provinces have saved money and improved outcomes
  • Ensure alcohol pricing increases as inflation increases
  • Advocate against the sale of alcohol in convenience and grocery stores. Areas that have introduced sales in convenience and grocery stores have found the rate of problems associated with alcohol use increases significantly
  • Ensure all establishments that sell alcohol have a sign posted warning about the dangers of drinking in pregnancy (Sandy’s Law). This is the 10th anniversary of Sandy’s Law in Ontario!
  • Encourage more alcohol-free events in communities and at universities and colleges
  • Increase efforts in universities, colleges and high schools to educate women and men about the dangers of drinking. Drinking increases their risk of alcohol exposed pregnancies, future addictions and chronic diseases

What Can You Do to Help Those Affected with FASD?

  • Educate yourself about FASD and how it impacts your community in many areas such as: education; the criminal justice system; employment; and social services
  • Talk to policy makers about the need to increase resources for prevention, diagnosis, intervention and appropriate education supports for children with FASD
  • Talk to and offer support to a parent/caregiver supporting a child/adult with FASD. They are often isolated and judged

This Press Package has been prepared in partnership with KidsAbility, Carizon Family and Community Services, KWC FASD Consulting, Lutherwood, Paula Stanghetta & Associates Inc., Region of Waterloo Public Health, and the Waterloo Region FASD Caregiver Empowerment Alliance

-30-

Media contact: Mary Mueller, Public Health Nurse, Region of Waterloo Public Health, 519-575-4400 ext. 5025

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FASD Fact Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions

Services for Pregnant or Parenting Women Involved with Alcohol and/or Drugs
Services for Pregnant or Parenting Women Involved with Alcohol and / or Drugs

Increasing Awareness and Service
Increasing FASD Awareness and Service in Waterloo Region and Ontario