Pregnancy and alcohol misuse

Abstract

How does alcohol misuse affect pregnancy and babies’ outcomes, and how is the problem managed in pregnant women?

Lifestyle factors in people seeking infertility treatment – A review

“…Drinking alcohol during pregnancy also has known adverse effects such as increased risks of spontaneous abortion, premature birth, low birth weight, foetal death and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, including foetal alcohol syndrome 36,56,61 . Given the available data on alcohol, fertility and pregnancy, as well as the fact that the foetus is most vulnerable to the effects of alcohol exposure during the first weeks after conception, when a woman may not even be aware she is pregnant, 65,66 the latest recommendation is that people trying for conception avoid consuming alcohol altogether and that the woman continues to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy 2,5,31,33,35,36,54,67–70 …”

Women & Substance Misuse: Alcohol & Women's Health in Ireland

“…Problematic drinking can cause sexual and reproductive health problems including infertility and miscarriage (Poole & Dell, 2005, Homan et al, 2007, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 2006, Guerrini et al, 2009. Studies have also found that even moderate amounts of alcohol, for example fewer than eight drinks per week, can affect a woman's menstrual cycle and her fertility, and can increase the risk of miscarriage (Institute of Alcohol Studies, 2008, Jensen et al, 1998, Hakim et al, 1998, Guerrini et al, 2009. These findings have been disputed, however, and further research in the area is needed (Mette et al, 2002, Gill, 2000.…”

“…Alcohol use during pregnancy can have potentially damaging effects on brain development in the foetus, and high intakes of alcohol have been strongly associated with congenital birth defects (teratogenesis) (Whittaker, 2003, Guerrini et al, 2009. The umbrella term used to describe the effects of heavy alcohol use during pregnancy is Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).…”

“…Children affected by FASD often have a low birth weight, reduced head circumference and brain size and can have characteristic facial abnormalities (short eye openings, thin upper lip, flattened midface and indistinct philtrum) (Whittaker, 2003). Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has also been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, particularly in the first trimester (Poole & Dell, 2005, Homan et al, 2007, Whittaker, 2003, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 2006, Guerrini et al, 2009.…”

“…Alcohol use during pregnancy has been linked with a range of serious health consequences for the foetus, and the current advice of the Chief Medical Officer is that pregnant women and women wishing to conceive should avoid consuming alcohol altogether (Department of Health & Children, 2008). That being said, it is important to recognise that pregnancy is often a time of new beginnings for women with alcohol misuse issues, and a prompt that encourages them to tackle their drinking (Guerrini et al, 2009). Therefore it is important that efforts be made to educate women about the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy and to encourage them to reduce their intake in a supportive, non-judgemental way.…”