Abstract
BackgroundThere is uncertainty as to whether there is a safe threshold for drinking alcohol during pregnancy. We explored pregnant women's attitudes towards drinking alcohol in pregnancy and their attitudes towards sources of information about drinking in pregnancy following recent changes in UK government guidance.MethodsA qualitative study involving individual, semi-structured interviews with 20 pregnant women recruited from community organisations in the UK. Interview transcripts were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.ResultsMost women found information and advice about safe levels of drinking in pregnancy confusing and lacking in evidence and detail. Although most women considered that there were risks involved with drinking in pregnancy and these perceptions influenced their behaviour, only six women reported abstinence. Women reported being influenced by advice from family and friends and their experiences of previous pregnancies. Many had received no individual advice from general practitioners or midwives relating to drinking during pregnancy.ConclusionPregnant women wished to take responsibility for their own health and make choices based on informed advice. In order to do so, they require clear and consistent advice about safe levels of drinking from policy makers and health professionals. This is an important issue as women might drink socially during their pregnancy.
Highlights
There is uncertainty as to whether there is a safe threshold for drinking alcohol during pregnancy
High levels of alcohol consumption in pregnancy are associated with harmful effects such as fetal alcohol syndrome [1]
The fetus is most likely to be exposed to alcohol in the first trimester, before pregnancy recognition [13]. These findings suggest that alcohol consumption during pregnancy is an important public health issue
Summary
There is uncertainty as to whether there is a safe threshold for drinking alcohol during pregnancy. High levels of alcohol consumption in pregnancy are associated with harmful effects such as fetal alcohol syndrome [1]. Some studies [6,7] suggest an association between light drinking and childhood behavioural problems but a systematic review found no consistent evidence of adverse effects across a range of outcomes [5]. A large epidemiological study found no evidence of harmful effects on child behaviour or learning [8]. A safe threshold for drinking in pregnancy has not been conclusively established [9,10,11]. The proportion of women of child-bearing age in the UK who drink over 14 units of alcohol per week (one unit is equivalent to one glass and contains 8 grams of alcohol) has increased in (page number not for citation purposes)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
