Tag Archives: Pregnancy

“Dispensers at Yukon College, Dirty Northern pub”

“Dispensers at Yukon College, Dirty Northern pub”

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ARTICLE

By: Philippe Morin, CBC News, 29 March 2015

Accessed on: 29 March 2015

Commentary by: Sarah Cibart

A few weeks ago Whitehorse became home to a research project out of the University of Alaska Anchorage. The project, funded by the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon (FASSY), focuses on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD. A major part of the project involves pregnancy test dispensers in washrooms meant to encourage women to ensure they are not pregnant before they consume alcohol. The second piece of this project aims to provide women with education and support surrounding pregnancy and alcohol consumption. The dispenser with pregnancy tests also has a QR Code (smartphone scanner) which links to FASD resources and a survey. If the women complete the survey, they are entered to win a $15 iTunes gift card.

In this article the interviewer speaks with Jessica Fulmer, who lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and is a mother herself. Fulmer states that she would have found it much easier to take a pregnancy test in college had the washrooms offered an accessible, affordable, and discreet dispenser. “It is scary to learn you are pregnant”, said Fulmer, “this is one thing that will help break the stigma.”

Wendy Bradly, Director of FASSY, says the pregnancy test dispensers help normalize the process of testing for pregnancy. It is her hope that these dispensers become as normalized as condom dispensers in public washrooms. New and innovative methods of surveying ways to support women in FASD prevention are both valuable and groundbreaking.

“Baby or booze? GN sends explicit message to expectant Nunavut moms”

CLLICK HERE TO ACCESS ARTICLE: http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674baby_or_the_bottle_gn_wants_to_starts_dialogue/

By: Sarah Rogers, NunatsiaqOnline, 24 September 2014

Accessed on: 1 October 2014

Commentry by: Robyn Morin

On September 9, 2014 the Government of Nunavut released a new ad campaign in recognition of International FASD Awareness Day (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). The ad was created to bring awareness to the direct impact of alcohol consumption on an unborn fetus. The image on the poster is a silhouette of a pregnant woman and the unborn fetus. The woman is holding a bottle to her mouth and yellow liquid is pouring through her body directly to the fetus.

The ad is said to be targeting younger pregnant women as there is a high population of young females in Nunavut. The ad is in English and Inukitut.

Since its release, the ad is eliciting mixed reactions due to the visual image on the poster. Many people, from various professional backgrounds, have commented on how the image does not provide information on support services to pregnant woman especially youth that are pregnant. Instead, critics argue, the ad places blame on women without considering other factors that contribute to maternal drinking. Proponents argue the importance of the images as they bring awareness about the impact of alcohol consumption.

The goal of the Government of Nunavut was to bring awareness to the direct effect of alcohol consumption while pregnant. The ad has proven to be effective as conversations have occurred—whether in support or against the campaign, people are talking about FASD.

What are your thoughts? Does this ad campaign bring awareness to the direct effects of alcohol consumption or does the ad place blame solely on the women who is pregnant?

Free pregnancy tests in bars an effort to curb Alaska’s FASD rates

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ARTICLE: Free pregnancy tests in bars an effort to curb Alaska’s FASD rates

By: Charlo Green, KTVA Alaska, 20 June 2014

Accessed on: 17 July 2014

Commentary by: Jeanelle Mandes

Last month, Charlo Greene published an article about approaching the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) using a different method. The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies came up with an idea to introduce pregnancy tests in Alaskan bars. Alaska has a high rate of FASD and with this idea; they hope this technique will bring awareness to women who consume alcohol.

Janet Johnstone, with the UAA Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, believes this approach may help women to think twice when about to consume alcohol if they may be pregnant.

“If someone is drinking at a bar and they see the test, they may just think about it a little more. Also if someone takes the test and finds out they’re pregnant, that hopefully will also have an effect on their drinking,” said Johnstone.

Not only will pregnancy test dispensers be available in bars, but there will also be posters with warning messages will be put up in some restaurants and bars.

With these two methods, there will be surveys provided for women to answer questions about the warning techniques. With the gathered data, the researchers will be able to gain a picture of which system reached out to the women best.

The bars and restaurants will start seeing these by the end of the year and the researchers will expect to have the outcomes within two years.

Others may wonder if these approaches are worth the effort but in a state with a high rate of FASD, many may think any technique is better than no technique.

Q&A: Senator proposes state-funded pregnancy tests in ‘war’ on FASD

Q&A: Senator proposes state-funded pregnancy tests in ‘war’ on FASD

By: Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News, 20 March 2014

Accessed on: 6 April 2014

Commentary by: Sarah Cibart

FASD prevention is a mission shared by citizens and lawmakers alike. However, the path to achieving the mission varies and could be considered quite controversial.

Pete Kelly, finance co-chairman senator has declared his mission to end FASD through a campaign he’s calling a “war on FASD.” His plan includes: publically funded pregnancy tests in restaurants and bars in Alaska, millions of dollars towards “FASD awareness”, recruiting “citizen helpers” to counsel women to stop drinking before and during pregnancy, as well as further developing ideas in the anti substance abuse “think-tank board” Kelly created earlier this year in Alaska.

“The idea here is that the community is involved, the private sector is involved and the government is involved” says Kelly.

When Hopkins asked senator Kelly if birth control would be equally as accessible as pregnancy tests in Alaskan bars after the “FASD war” had begun, Kelly responded saying “No. Because the thinking is a little opposite. This assumes if you know [you are pregnant] you’ll act responsibly. Birth control is for people who don’t necessarily want to act responsibly.”

Such arguments suggest the primary goal in FASD prevention is changing the behaviours of individual women, rather than considering the larger systemic impacts that contribute to women drinking while pregnant. Although access to pregnancy tests and community counseling may be helpful, greater access to birth control and increasing education surrounding FASD would also be an efficient use of resources.

I suggest watching the full interview Hopkin’s has with Kelly. For further reading, check out Shannyn Moore’s opinion piece in response to Kelly’s campaign at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannyn-moore/free-ept-tests-in-alaska_b_5015941.html

Fetal alcohol fight in Crow Wing arms itself with new tool

Fetal alcohol fight in Crow Wing arms itself with new tool

By: Pam Louwagie, StarTribune, 8 Feb 2014

Accessed on: 20 Feb 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

A new FASD prevention initiative is coming out of Crow Wing County, through the nonprofit organization “Healthy Brains for Children.”  The group will be dispersing breathalyzers to pregnant girls and girls who are known to drink alcohol.  Incentives such as gift cards and cell phone minutes will be provided for these girls to stay abstinent from alcohol.

How will this idea work?  “A California company called SoberLink is donating the small, pink Breathalyzers that will fit inside a purse or backpack and carry the label “My Baby’s Breath.”  A mom-to-be in the program will get a text reminding her of a scheduled breath test and she’ll have 45 minutes to breathe into the device using a small tube. The device will take a photo of the girl and register her breath’s alcohol content, then send that information to a computer over a cellular network.  If alcohol is detected, parents, counselors and others will be notified.”

The idea was created based on the story of one Minnesota woman who used official police breathalyzer equipment during her pregnancy.  “Teresa Haberman said she’s grateful that county officials offered her the equipment in her home after she had legal troubles during her pregnancy. She needed help, she said, and the accountability helped her stay sober.”  This woman is still sober.

What do you think?  A brilliant idea to put an end to FASD?  An initiative that will help some women during their pregnancy?  Or a thoughtful initiative, but maybe not the most effective strategy?  Please share your thoughts!

Just released: The international charter on prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Just released: The international charter on prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Accessed on: 27 Feb 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

While this isn’t a news article – this is ‘FASD in the News’ at it’s best!  Just released yesterday is the International Charter on Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  If you have any interest at all in FASD, I urge you to read this short article.  It highlights every point and argument I can think of surrounding FASD.

Since I can’t say it better, I’m going to provide you with a few of my favourite lines and leave the rest up to you:

 

“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a serious health and social problem, as well as an educational and legal issue, which affects individuals, families, and societies worldwide.”

“Although maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the direct cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, many underlying causes exist for drinking during pregnancy.”

“The perception that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is affected only by a woman’s choices is a major barrier to effective prevention efforts. Men also have a responsibility.”

“Although public knowledge of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is high in some countries, it is very low worldwide.”

“Informative materials about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in regionally-specific languages, and that are relevant to local cultures and systems, are needed.”

 

If this doesn’t get your interest, I don’t know what will.  Please – read, comment, share!  This is a very exciting moment in the world of FASD research and practice.

Group of lawmakers fighting fetal alcohol syndrome

Group of lawmakers fighting fetal alcohol syndrome

By: Matt Buxton (Fairbanks Daily News: Newsminer.com), 3 Feb 2014

Accessed on: 3 Feb 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

A group of lawmakers in Alaska have “declared war on fetal alcohol syndrome.”  The new public health campaign known as “Empowering Hope” consists of a variety of members: Kelly, Sen. Anna Fairclough, R-Eagle River, former Doyon executive Norm Phillips, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority CEO Jeff Jessee, University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton, retired Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger, Val Davidson of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and former Rep. Reggie Joule.

One of the initiatives the group hopes to instate is “natural responders” within rural communities.  These people would “serve as a rural community’s first responder to help keep a pregnant woman from endangering her unborn child with alcohol.”  Touching on a previous blog I wrote in February, the group will also initiate an awareness campaign to make women aware of the dangers of drinking while pregnant.

Kelly states, “this approach — having and [sic] end-goal of eradicating the problem — is a much-needed departure from traditional thinking.”  I think the widespread, common goal already focuses on eradication, based on all of the talk of prevention across the country, and indeed, internationally.  It will be interesting to see what the following weeks will bring in terms of information on “Empowering Hope’s” plan for the short and long-term.  Perhaps there will be some innovative approaches coming out of Alaska in the near future.

FASD requires more than talk

FASD requires more than talk

By: The StarPhoenix, 22 Jan 2014

Accessed on: 23 Jan 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

As a follow-up to the meeting of FASD experts in Saskatoon in mid-January to discuss the issue of FASD in Saskatchewan, The StarPhoenix ran a story titled, “FASD requires more than talk.”

The story outlines the preventable nature of FASD, but also sets the stage for the limitations on prevention as a solution to FASD.  While the solution seems simple – don’t drink while you’re pregnant and you will not produce a child with FASD – there are limitations on the controls government can place over women’s rights when it comes to their bodies.

The article states, “A 1997 Supreme Court decision made it clear… that governments have limited powers in forcibly preventing pregnant women from drinking or having them take solvent-abuse prevention programs in the guise of protecting the fetus.  Women in Canada have the right to control what’s done to their bodies even if society disagrees with how they exercise that right.”

For example, as this article points out, there are many awareness campaigns out there, informing women and girls of the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant.  This is an excellent initiative – for some women.

The problem, however, is that while women do not wish harm on their babies, there are issues that need to be addressed which extend beyond awareness.  For example, women often do not know they are pregnant for the first while – something that is often mentioned at conferences on FASD and by advocates promoting prevention through abstaining from alcohol altogether.  If you recall a news blog I wrote in early January about pregnancy test dispensers being placed in pubs, the goal of these dispensers is to offer awareness to women going out for drinks.  By taking a pregnancy test at the earliest possible moment, women can cease drinking immediately, thus reducing the potential harm to their fetus.  However, some women may be struggling with alcohol and other addictions.  The initiative is an inventive one for certain, but I hope there will be further focus on other issues causing FASD – issues such as addiction, trauma, poverty, abuse, and the effects of colonialism.

As the final passage of this article states, “It is the responsibility of governments to try to address the social problems at the root of these issues, including making sure that women have the financial security to take control of their lives.  It may not be cheap, but it costs society less in the long run than dealing with FASD victims for their entire lives.”

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder experts meet in Saskatoon: Discuss ways to prevent Canadian women from drinking while pregnant

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder experts meet in Saskatoon: Discuss ways to prevent Canadian women from drinking while pregnant

By: Bre McAdam (News Talk 980 CJME), 20 Jan 2014

Accessed on: 20 Jan 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

This week, a two-day meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was held where FASD experts discussed prevention of FASD in the province.  The experts addressed what has been done in terms of FASD prevention over the past 10 years and worked on a plan for the next decade.

The Canada FASD Research Network estimates that there are 55,708 people in Saskatchewan who might have FASD.  Minister of Social Services, June Draude, states that each of those individuals cost approximately $1.5 million in terms of health care, education, and corrections.  She states that, “…more importantly it has an impact on society as a whole.  The human cost within the family, within the community and within that child.”

Jocelynn Cook, executive director of the Canada FASD Research Network, explained the need to focus on “risky drinking.”  Draude elaborated that there needs to be support for mothers and pregnant women with alcohol addictions, such as detox and providing doctors with the proper information to provide to their patients.

These suggestions come on the heels of recent reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that doctors do not often ask their patients about alcohol use.  The CDC states that it’s time for a change, as the risks associated with alcohol consumption can be many and in some cases, severe.  For more on that story visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-screening-counseling/

This article supports my commentary from last week, in that there’s often a heavy focus on prevention.  Don’t get me wrong, prevention, if successful, would be the best way to eventually eliminate FASD.  But there are still people in this province – approximately 55,708 people according the Canada FASD Research Network – who may be effected by this disorder and we need to include solutions to these individuals’ plights as well.

Pub pregnancy test plea to halt FASD

Pub pregnancy test plea to halt FASD

By: Julie Cush (BBC News), December 31, 2013

Accessed on: January 6, 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

While Canada gears up to pilot an initiative where pregnancy test dispensers are installed in bar washrooms, it seems the UK is getting ready to experiment with this program as well.  The article articulates how pregnant women are bombarded with advice during pregnancy – and this is undoubtedly true.  However, the author also suggests that if you know you’re pregnant, why take the risk of harming your baby.

This back and forth reasoning in the FASD debates is nothing new.  Although, it is interesting that social awareness is moving forward despite criticism of ‘FASD’ in general in the UK in the past several years.  In June 2007, ‘PulseNews’ published an article stating the BMA was drawing a hardline on drinking during pregnancy, that there should be absolutely NO drinking while pregnant.  Dr. Trefor Roscoe stated in the article, “How far down the road of nannying are we going to go?  If alcohol really was that dangerous in pregnancy it would have been obvious years ago.  I doubt this was drawn up by GPs as GPs live in the real world.”  Moreover, in the past few years, various studies have been coming out of the UK and Denmark stating alcohol during pregnancy is not that harmful – which has produced a controversy all it’s own.

Here we are in 2014, putting pregnancy tests in public washrooms.  Are we moving towards an “FASD moral panic” or a new era of awareness and prevention?