Younger mothers show a greater inclination towards alcohol indulgence, a study suggests.
A recent research focused on maternal alcohol consumption during the transition to motherhood as a predictor of risky drinking during a 17-year period.
A total of 456 pregnant women, 13 to 42 years old were interviewed about alcohol intake during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, and after 6, 10, 14, and 16 years of delivery.
The results showed that about 66% of the women were at a lower risk of alcohol intake during the 17-year period, while the remaining were at a higher risk. It was noteworthy that mothers who were younger in age at the time of first delivery were more likely to consume alcohol early in pregnancy. This trend was observed even after 6 to 14 years of giving birth to the baby.
The researchers state despite knowing about the detrimental impact of alcohol intake during/after pregnancy, many women continue to consume alcohol in varying quantities.
The results of this study are important as they can help clinicians identify mothers who may be unable to follow national guidelines for alcohol abstinence during/after pregnancy, and ensure that they have no more than 7 drinks per week after delivery.
Source: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Journal