Are you of childbearing age? Then you MUST read this and tell your friends.

Let me ask you :

Out of all your female friends/family aged 16-39ish, who are of childbearing age ?

1. Do you know anyone who suffers with deoression…maybe yourself, your sister or a friend??
2. Does one of the mums at school/work suffer with migraines??
3. Maybe a niece, cousin, auntie is diagnosed with Bipolar, mood swings??
4. A friend may have MS and is needing pain relief??
5. A 14-16year old girl may have Epilepsy??

So whatever the diagnosis of illness, at some point they may need to be medicated. Majority of the time, they could be diagnosed with the medications below which are Anti Convulsant Medications but also help control other health issues : –

Epilim – Sodium Valproate

Tegratol – Carbamazipine

Epinuitin – Phenytoin

Lamotrigine

Topiramate

Scenario :-

So, the illness diagnosed is under control  and it is decided that the lady in question wants to conceive a baby.  Maybe a baby has been conceived accidently…whatever the situation and pregnancy is determined .  With this you go to your GP/ Midwife who does a full examination. Hopefully the woman’s medication will be discussed with the health professional.

Dilemma

So with realisation the lady is now pregnant, this should be a time to enjoy the joys of pregnancy.  To carry on planning and daydream of the future baby that will be soon born.  However she has been on this medication for the illness she was diagnosed for. Say she was 8 weeks pregnant… in the 1^stTrimester, for the growing foetus this is the most important part of the pregnancy.   The medications prescribed have ALREADY passed through the placenta into the growing baby,

It is this simple as to why FACS Syndrome is on the rise, and having such a devastating effect on the child and also their families.

Symptoms of FACS Syndrome are:

• Premature Birth
• Small fingernail
• Spina Bifida / Cerebral Palsy
• Limb defects
• Joint Laxity
• Characteristical facial features
• Delay in reaching milestones
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Speech and Language Delay
• Attention and memory difficulty
• Vision problems
• Incontinence
• Inguinal Hernia
• Hypospadias

Our medical team have figures back that suggest in 2010 ;

21,000+ ladies were taking Sodium Valproate for epilepsy, depression, migraine etc…. that is just one medication, what about the others on the list.

This is just how big  FACS Syndrome is and as to how many children are affected.

I was never told of the effects these medications have until I was pregnant with my 5TH^th child.  All my children are now diagnosed with this condition and have varying degrees of FACS.  When pregnant and in contact with so many health professional, how can in todays world this happen? Or allowed to happen?? Why are the medical world not warning all patients who are prescribed these medicines the impact it will have on the baby and also the parents.

If you are concerned in any way, please do get in touch with me however DO NOT stop taking your medication until you have consulted a Doctor.

Contact

http://facsa.org.uk/vital-knowledge/

If you would like to discuss anything regarding FACS and the FACS Association please get in touch.

We will endeavour to respond to website enquiries within 48 hours. If your enquiry is urgent then please feel free to use the email addresses or contact numbers.

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