Starting as a passionate group of people beginning a journey of positive change, it became evident early on that a charitable organisation dedicated solely to Fetal Anticonvulsant Syndromes was a necessity. This led to the official launch of FACS NZ in February 2015.

Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand (FACS NZ) believes in a:

Our Vision

Every person of childbearing potential who is on seizure controlling medicine(s) has the necessary information to give informed consent and informed choice.

People who have been exposed to anti-seizure medicine(s) during pregnancy lead a life where they can reach their own potential.

Our Mission

•Advocate and problem solve with those individuals and groups affected.

•Educate interested parties.

•Support health professionals and families (listening, advice).

•Collaborate on designing pathways for diagnosis.

•Support research into the effects of anti-seizure medicines.

•Awareness raising.

•Collaborate with other organisations.

•Provide foundations for a community.

At FACS NZ we provide up-to-date information on our website; support and education, whether it be on an individualised basis, or to a larger group or community; awareness of the syndrome; and seek to decrease the likelihood of these syndromes.

The future is exciting when we at FACS NZ think about the positive change that has begun to occur, and know that we are leading that change.

NOT ALL PEOPLE OF CHILD BEARING POTENTIAL WHO TAKE AN ANTIEPILEPTIC MEDICATION DURING PREGNANCY WILL HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE AFFECTED. CONSULTATION WITH A SPECIALIST PRIOR TO GETTING PREGNANT IS RECOMMENDED. PEOPLE THAT ARE PREGNANT, OR PLANNING TO GET PREGNANT SHOULD NEVER STOP TAKING THEIR MEDICATION WITHOUT SPEAKING TO A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.