Study reveals how much women drink alcohol during pregnancy

NZ study reveals when and how much women drink alcohol during pregnancy

Today, the Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu) released new research on drinking during pregnancy, Patterns and dynamics of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a recent New Zealand cohort of expectant mothers, using data from the longitudinal study Growing Up in New Zealand.

Superu Chief Executive Clare Ward says, "Better understanding of women’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy will help inform and target public health messages and support initiatives."

She adds, "We found that 71 percent of women drank alcohol before they knew they were pregnant. Two-thirds of these women stopped drinking once they knew they were pregnant."

"Five main patterns of behaviour around alcohol consumption during pregnancy were identified and this was based on when women drink and how much they drink."

The longitudinal nature of the study provides opportunities to better understand the long-term impact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

"The value of this research is that it demonstrates a richer picture than we have previously seen. The Growing Up in New Zealand study provides potential for a host of other valuable research topics to support the development of policy," Ward concludes.

The 2015 research contains information on women’s behaviour towards drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

From Friday 28 August, view the research here: http://www.superu.govt.nz/alcoholandpregnancy

Attached reports:

Research report: Patterns and dynamics of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a recent New Zealand cohort of expectant mothers

Research summary: How alcohol consumption changes during pregnancy

Fact sheet - At a Glance: Changes in alcohol consumption during pregnancy

ENDS

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