In an alcohol study that we’ve just had published in the international journal PLOS One, we found that over 50 per cent of women with a history of binge drinking will continue the pattern during pregnancy, while fewer than 20 per cent choose to abstain.

By Amy Anderson, PhD candidate

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In an alcohol study that we’ve just had published in the international journal PLOS One, we found that over  50 per cent of women with a history of binge drinking will continue the pattern during pregnancy, while fewer than 20 per cent choose to abstain.

It follows an initial study, reported last year, where we looked at all the predictors of alcohol use during pregnancy and noted that women who were drinking on a weekly basis or binge drinking (categorised as five or more drinks on one occasion) prior to falling pregnant were more likely to drink during pregnancy.

We decided to investigate this group more closely to see if the actual drinking patterns were being carried over or whether there was a reduction.
The data was drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, involving women aged 22-36 years during the period 2000 to 2009.

The latest finding has captured a lot of media attention. It’s obviously a major societal issue and I’m now doing some further qualitative work to see whether the current recommendation for abstinence is getting through.

Just like drinking in general, this is a complex issue with a lot of mixed messages, so we need to focus on a number of factors and not just individual behaviour.

As a starting point I believe there’s a need for clearer messages on alcohol packaging, as has been done with cigarettes. The alcohol industry has introduced a voluntary warning label for pregnant women but the labels are small and difficult to read.

I’m not sure whether this is pre-empting government legislation to make labelling mandatory but there’s certainly a need to get more information out there.

I have been asked whether bar staff should help regulate alcohol under RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) legislation. That’s a very controversial issue, not the least because of potential embarrassment in identifying expectant mothers.

In my view it comes down to respecting an individual’s autonomy. It is ultimately the woman’s choice whether or not to drink.

We are now looking to conduct further interviews to find out what messages are getting through and tailoring the message and delivery accordingly.

One of the more common pathways is the healthcare sector. Most women of child-bearing age have contact with their GP before and during their pregnancy so we’ll endeavour to provide information through that pathway. Informing women before pregnancy occurs is essential, as about half of pregnancies are unplanned.

The risk factors are widely reported but perhaps not well known within some demographics.

Binge drinking has links to neuro-behavioural impairments and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders where a child has growth and learning difficulties and possible distinctive facial features. In extreme instances stillbirths and foetal death have been reported.

Studies have shown that the first trimester, in particular, is a critical phase of development but it is strongly recommended that women abstain for the entire pregnancy, and even when planning a pregnancy.

* Amy Anderson, from the University of Newcastle, researches in conjunction with HMRI’s Public Health Program.