Even though they know better, women still drink alcohol while pregnant

May 13 2008

A study by a consultant paediatrician at Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney has found that as many as one third of Australian women admit to drinking alcohol when pregnant, even though they know it could affect their unborn child.

A survey by Dr. Elizabeth Peadon carried out in 2006 of 1,103 women aged between 18 and 40 years old found that 93 per cent were aware of the risk but most would do it again and being better educated, contrary to expectations, made it twice as likely that the women would take that risk.

Dr. Peadon suggests one explanation could be the role of alcohol in aspects of university culture.

Of the survey group, two-thirds of whom already had children, 34 per cent admitted drinking alcohol during their last pregnancy.

Dr. Peadon who has conducted research into Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, says there is no safe minimum level of alcohol for pregnant women and the safest behaviour is to not drink during pregnancy.

The findings which were presented at the Royal Australian College of Physicians conference in Adelaide, will be used to develop public health campaigns to inform pregnant women about the dangers of drinking.