As children, littlegirls have one common dream: to have children. Playing house with their friends and playing with their babydolls have become the most frequent games played by little girls in hopes of one day being a mom themselves. At that age, even at older ages, girls do not think of the consequences that come with getting pregnant and having a baby. Neither do they think of the time and money it takes to raise a child, nor the possible diseases or possible birth defects.

One of the most common birth defects in newborn babies is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal alcohol Syndrome is a series of physical and mental birth defects due to the consumption of alcohol durring pregnacy. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation amongst children today. About 5,000 children are born every year with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. That total averages about one out of every 750 births. And about 50,000 children are bore with Fetal Alcohol Effects, a condition with similar, yet less severe symptoms than FAS.

Other side effects are dysfunctional organs, growth defects, learning disabilities, and physical deformities to the face and head. Thin upper lips, close set eyes, and short noses are some of the facial abnormalities. The effects are irreversible. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone.

Some people think that it's all roght to drink one drink a day while their pregnant. No amount of alcohol has been proven safe to consume while you're pregnant. FAS is being found im babies born to mothers who drink four to five drinks a day. At the same time, doctors are finding the syndrome in babies that were born with the effects whose mothers drink as little as one drink a day. The syndrome is becoming more common due to the increasing number of teenage pregnacy. Since the teenager is still growing, she still needs nutrients for her own body. The fetus also needs nutrients for its own development. Both mother and baby are at risk: the mother can put too much stress on her body, and the baby has a chance of being born too small.

Although FAS is permanent, it is the only disease that can completely be prevented. The easiest and the only way to prevent Fas is not drinking durring pregnancy.

The childhood dream of being a mom and having a healthy baby can still come true if you stay away from alcohol while you're pregnant. The thing to remember is that everything that goes into the mother's body goes directly to the baby that's inside. Sence there is not a cure for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, women should think twice about drinking and give their baby a chance.