Alcohol consumption in New Zealand women before and during pregnancy: findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study

Abstract

Aim To examine alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy in the mothers of a contemporary sample of New Zealand children. Method Analysis of data from the antenatal assessment of 6,822 women enrolled in the Growing Up in New Zealand study, using logistic regression models to examine associations between maternal alcohol use and maternal demographics, pregnancy planning and parity. Results Seventy-one percent of women drank alcohol before becoming pregnant, 23% during and 13% after the first trimester. The odds of drinking alcohol before pregnancy were significantly higher for younger women who were European or Māori with an unplanned pregnancy and in their first pregnancy; during the first trimester, higher for women who were European or Māori with no secondary school qualification, in their first pregnancy, with an unplanned pregnancy; and in the second and third trimesters, higher for European or Māori women aged 30 and over, in their first pregnancy. Conclusion Drinking is common in New Zealand women before pregnancy, particularly among European and Māori women. Some women consume small amounts of alcohol and some engage in heavy drinking in pregnancy. Both are a risk for fetal harm. Population-wide and targeted measures are needed to reduce consumption overall and provide support to specific population groups.