Baby booze
»»82% of women on their first pregnancy still drink »»senior doctor says total abstinence is only safe plan
THE number of Irish women who drink alcohol during their pregnancy is alarmingly high, a senior doctor said yesterday.
Public Health specialist Dr Mary O’mahony added those expecting a baby or planning on starting a family must treat the danger seriously.
She added: “We know four in every five first-time pregnancies are exposed to alcohol.
“A study found 82% of first-time pregnant women consumed alcohol. And nearly half were exposed to very high levels.
“It’s very common. We also know two in every five pregnancies are unplanned which raises the chances they will be exposed to alcohol.
“We have a problem in that our health professionals do not consistently provide information on the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy. It’s unfortunately the social norm to drink in Ireland and it’s the same during pregnancy.” Last year, a study by Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found Ireland had the world’s highest rate of women who drank while pregnant.
Research found 60.4% of expectant mums continued to booze. Ahead of International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day tomorrow, pregnant women or those trying to conceive are urged to avoid all alcohol. The effects of FASD can include behavioural and
HSE PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST
learning disabilities. Dr O’mahony said: “These conditions may not be detected at birth, but may later show up in the form of behavioural, social, learning and attention difficulties in childhood, adolescence and throughout adulthood.
“There are a lot of mixed messages about alcohol and pregnancy.
“Women can often get completely different advice from friends, family, health professionals and the media and some may feel social pressure to drink during their pregnancy.
“If you’ve had an occasional drink before you realised you were pregnant don’t be unduly worried, but once you know you are pregnant, it’s best to cut out alcohol completely. If you drink alcohol while pregnant, it passes from your bloodstream through the placenta and into the baby’s bloodstream.
“We also want families and friends to know the positive role they can play in supporting an alcohol-free pregnancy.”
Alcohol Action Ireland said drinking more than three units a day increases the risk of miscarriage and more than 12 drinks a week raises the likelihood of a premature birth.
And consuming sudden high levels of booze while pregnant can cause damage to the babies developing brain.
Alcohol Action Ireland also reported a study at the Coombe Women’s Hospital in Dublin found 63% of those surveyed said they drank alcohol during their pregnancy.
The HSE said if you are finding it hard to stop drinking, talk to your midwife, GP or alcohol service. You can also call the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline from Monday to Friday 9.30 to 5.30pm on 1800 459 459.
■ Visit www.askaboutalcohol.ie for further details.
professionals don’t provide information on dangers of alcohol
DR MARY 0’MAHONY
of those asked at Coombe Women’s Hospital drank while pregnant
Ireland’s place in the global table of drinking while expecting a child
in 10 pregnancies are unplanned raising risk of alcohol damage