Smoking and alcohol in pregnancy. Survey in the immediate post-partum period.
This was a questionnaire-based study of 151 postnatal women. We found 42% of women were smokers prior to pregnancy and only 37% of these women succeeded in quitting smoking during pregnancy. Success in quitting was significantly related to the number of cigarettes smoked (p<0.05). However, 71% of pregnant smokers were aware of the associated risks. Alcohol was consumed by 89% of women and 10% admitted to binge drinking during pregnancy. Only 44% of the study group were aware of the associated risks of alcohol. We propose that we need to change our social acceptance of these behaviours before pregnancy, and provide support to those women during pregnancy.
Mc Millan
H
H
RCSI Unit, Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Sq., Dublin.
Smaarani
S
S
Walsh
T
T
Khawaja
N
N
Collins
C
C
Byrne
P
P
Geary
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*