A NEW study has shown that many pregnant Irish women are consuming alcohol and cigarettes. Nearly 60 per cent of women had taken alcohol during pregnancy and almost 40 per cent had smoked, according to the study carried out at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin.
More than 200 women were asked about their smoking and drinking habits in a confidential questionnaire. On average, they were three to four months pregnant and aged 28 to 30. The study was carried out by Dr Paul MacGurgan, Dr Michael Turner, master of the Coombe, and Dr Bridgette Byrne.
It found that 39.5 per cent of the women had smoked, 58.5 per cent had taken alcohol and 40.5 per cent had taken medications such as aspirins and antibiotics.
The rates of alcohol and cigarette consumption are far higher than found in a 1986 UK study. "This may be attributable to population differences, but it is more likely to reflect trends in the use of medication. Fortunately, most medications were considered safe for use in pregnancy," Dr Turner said.
The women were also questioned about taking folic acid. Dr Turner said the research team discovered that while almost 70 per cent of them were aware of the benefits that folic acid gives a pregnant woman and her baby, only 44 per cent took it during the vital first three months.