A survey just published in the CDC s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that 1 in 13 or about 8 percent of pregnant women drink alcohol. The report also noted that about 1.4 percent of pregnant women binge-drink defined as having four or more drinks on one occasion.
The recently released data were collected through telephone surveys of over 345,000 women, including about 14,000 pregnant women, between 2006 and 2010. Among the pregnant participants, those between the ages of 35 and 44 showed the highest rates of alcohol use during pregnancy about 14 percent. Women who were employed or unmarried were more likely to report binge-drinking during pregnancy. And among women who engaged in binge-drinking during their pregnancy, those with only a high school diploma reported higher levels of the behavior, compared to women with a higher level of education.
Since 2000, however, overall rates of alcohol use during pregnancy have decreased slightly. Although we ve long advised that moderate alcohol consumption is not dangerous for most pregnant women, despite the common fear of such consumption, binge-drinking can lead to a range of disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome and developmental disabilities. It is important that pregnant women are aware of these effects and know to avoid these risks.
That fewer pregnant women are drinking now than they were 30 years ago is quite a change," notes ACSH s Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. Back then, it was more socially acceptable. Nowadays, however, the practice is essentially taboo. Yet when it s handled in moderate amounts, alcohol during pregnancy should not be frowned upon.