Prevention of Exposure During the Preconception Period

Recent research concludes that prevention of FASD must begin preconceptually, or before a person even becomes pregnant, specifically by preventing unintended pregnancies or by discouraging alcohol consumption in people who are at risk for pregnancy. There is a continuum of interventions to prevent FASD at the preconceptual level. Universal prevention provides alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) and FASD prevention messages for all, without regard to differential risk factors, and includes screening programs and health education campaigns. Selective prevention occurs in places or with groups where high AEP risk occurs and often include screening or providing education with groups or in settings with higher risk factors. Indicated interventions are represented more in established literature and include evidence-based interventions for individuals at risk for AEP. There are controversies with preconceptual approaches to AEP prevention, but the promising approaches outlined in this chapter indicate needs for additional research.