Alcohol consumption during the first weeks of pregnancy is still common

Background In Finland, there is no exact data about alcohol consumption during the first weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine women’s alcohol consumption during early pregnancy.

Methods This study is part of an ongoing prospective follow-up study on primary healthcare in the Satakunta region of southwest Finland. Families (n = 217, 36.8%) were recruited during their first maternity clinic visit between 09/2016 and 12/2019. During early pregnancy, the participants filled in questionnaires about their background, mood, quality of life and anxiety. Alcohol consumption was divided into two categories: 1) no alcohol consumption while pregnant and 2) quit using alcohol after pregnancy was noticed.

Results A total of 55% of the participants did not abstain from alcohol before pregnancy was noticed. They experienced their quality of life as poorer compared to those who had already abstained from alcohol when planning pregnancy (odds ratio = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26–0.79, p = 0.006).

Conclusions More than half of the pregnant women did not abstain from alcohol before pregnancy was noticed. The experience of a poorer quality of life may indicate an increased need for support.

Ella Lehtinen

M.D.

Mikael Ekblad

M.D., Ph.D., Specialist in General Practice

University of Turku