HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tough, S. Articles by Newburn-Cook, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tough, S. Articles by Newburn-Cook, C.

Do Women Change Their Drinking Behaviors While Trying to Conceive? An Opportunity for Preconception Counseling

Suzanne Tough, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, the Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, and the Decision Support Research Team, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Karen Tofflemire, MSc, Decision Support Research Team, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Margaret Clarke, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Christine Newburn-Cook, PhD, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Reprint Requests: Suzanne Tough, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 1820 Richmond Rd SW, Room 3013, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2T 5C7, Tel: 403-943-2272, Fax: 403-943-7214, Email: suzanne.tough{at}calgaryhealthregion.ca

Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of preventable mental retardation and developmental disabilities, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Current medical guidelines recommend that no alcohol should be consumed over the period of conception and throughout pregnancy. Although the majority of women reduce alcohol consumption when they realize they are pregnant, this recognition may not occur until well into the first trimester, potentially impacting embryonic development.

Objectives: To describe and assess changes in patterns of women’s alcohol use between the preconception, pre-pregnancy recognition and post-pregnancy recognition time periods. Secondly, to describe characteristics of women consuming any alcohol and those binge drinking during pre- and post-pregnancy recognition periods.

Methods: Computer assisted telephone interviews were conducted with 1042 women who had recently delivered a baby in urban Alberta, Canada. Differences in consumption patterns between time periods were analyzed using analysis of variance and Chi-square tests. Characteristics of those drinking both before and after pregnancy recognition were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: Eighty percent of women reported alcohol consumption pre-conceptually, 50% pre-pregnancy recognition and 18% post-pregnancy recognition. Binge drinking was reported by 32%, 11% and 0% for preconception, pre-pregnancy recognition and post-pregnancy recognition periods, respectively. Alcohol consumption patterns (i.e., the mean number of drinks per drinking day and week) did not differ significantly between preconception and pre-pregnancy recognition periods but did significantly drop after pregnancy recognition (p<0.001). Alcohol use during the period of pre-pregnancy recognition was higher among those not planning a pregnancy, not using assisted reproductive technology, of higher income, without a history of miscarriage, who were Caucasian, and who used tobacco. Binge drinking was higher among women not planning a pregnancy, those who used tobacco, and those with low self-esteem. Women continuing to drink small amounts of alcohol after pregnancy recognition were more likely to be between the ages of 30–39 years, be Caucasian and use tobacco.

Conclusion: Preconception and "well-women" counseling strategies would be improved by increasing the emphasis on the risks of alcohol use during periods when pregnancy can occur.

Key Words: Alcohol consumption • Preconception counseling • Pregnancy