If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, please do not consume alcohol. Drinking during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in your infant. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? FAS is a lifelong yet completely preventable set of physical, mental and neurobehavioral birth defects associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby; through the blood vessels in the placenta, the mother’s blood supplies the developing baby with nourishment and oxygen. If the mother drinks alcohol, the alcohol enters her blood stream and then, through the placenta, enters the blood supply of the growing baby. Alcohol is a teratogen, a substance known to be toxic to human development. Depending on the amount, timing and pattern of use, if alcohol reaches the growing baby’s blood supply, it can interfere with healthy development. If a woman drinks wine, beer or liquor when she is pregnant, her baby could be born with FAS. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. As many as 12,000 infants are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation. This could range from minor retardation to severe. 95% of individuals who develop mental problems between the ages of 12 and 51 were born with FAS. 55% of individuals confined in prison, drug or alcohol treatment centers or a mental institutions were born with FAS. 60% of individuals who have "disrupted school experience" were born with FAS. FAS can produce severe behavioral problems. 60% of individuals born with FAS will have trouble with the law. 82% of individuals who are not able to live independently were born with FAS. 70% of individuals having problems with employment were born with FAS. (ie: unable to hold jobs) More than 50% of males and 70% of females born with FAS will have alcohol and drug problems. So, please. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, do not consume alcohol. Think about what it is doing to your unborn child.