1 in 10 women drink a little alcohol while pregnant - Innovations Report
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Mothers who use alcohol while pregnant place their unborn child at risk for premature birth, low birthweight, fetal alcohol syndrome and even fetal death. These serious health risks have led health experts around the world to recommend that women abstain from alcohol while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Yet prior evidence indicates that 25% to 50% of women report drinking alcohol while pregnant, with low income level, partner's drinking behavior, and mother's pre-pregnancy alcohol use all contributing risk factors.
“Our findings clearly show a link between a mother's negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety, and light alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy,” concludes Dr. Stene-Larsen. “Further study is needed to understand why women continue to drink alcohol while pregnant despite health warnings.”
URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/aogs.12259 Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stene-Larsen, please contact Kjersti Rønning Haug at KjerstiRonning.Haug@fhi.no.