News

Drinking during pregnancy highest among Irish mums

A new study has revealed alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common
A new study has revealed alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common A new study has revealed alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common

THE extent of alcohol use among pregnant women warrants a "significant public health concern", experts have warned.

A large-scale study of almost 18,000 women in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and Australia found that drinking during pregnancy was common.

Ireland had the highest prevalence of any alcohol consumption pre-pregnancy (90 per cent) and during pregnancy (82 per cent).

Binge drinking before conception and during pregnancy was also more common in Ireland.

Updated NHS guidelines - published earlier this year - advise that women trying for a baby and those in the first three months of pregnancy should not drink any alcohol.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) had previously said a couple of glasses of wine a week was acceptable.

The new research from Cambridge University also discovered that those who smoked were 50 per cent more likely to drink.

The amount of alcohol consumed dropped substantially for all countries in the second trimester, along with the level of binge drinking.

Non-white women were less likely to drink, along with younger women, those who were more highly educated, obese or already had children.

The study concluded that drinking during pregnancy is "prevalent and socially pervasive" in the UK and Ireland.

Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), described the findings as "very concerning".

"Where midwives are encouraging women to quit smoking they should also ask about alcohol consumption and encourage abstinence during pregnancy," she said.

"There is no evidence that any level of consumption is safe for the growing baby. This is why the RCM continues to advise women to abstain from drinking alcohol when pregnant or if trying to conceive. Drinking around conception and during the first three months may also increase the chance of having a miscarriage."