It’s National Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week and health professionals want women to know what they can do throughout their pregnancy to decrease certain risks.

It’s common knowledge by this point that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). But many people aren’t aware that drinking alcohol while being pregnant can result in other developmental challenges described as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in children as well.

Babies born with FAS have mental and physical disabilities. These disabilities can range in severity and may include mental retardation. On a side note, there is a disproportionate amount of children who are born with FAS or FASD and end up in foster care or are put up for adoption.

Since health and medical experts have not been able to determine an exact amount of alcohol that is safe to consume during pregnancy, they recommend that women avoid drinking alcohol entirely while pregnant.