Poles on the consumption of alcohol by pregnant women

Alcohol, after all, is harmful
Over two thirds of Poles (83%) had come across the information that even the smallest amount of alcohol consumed by a pregnant woman could be dangerous for the normal and safe development of the fetus, thus the child. Only 14% didn't know anything about this. Among the respondents who had encountered the opinion about the harmfulness of consuming alcohol when pregnant, over three quarters (76%) were convinced that this opinion is correct. Only 15% considered this opinion to be exaggerated.

A majority of women are aware of the danger
Considering the high awareness of the harmful effect of alcohol on pregnancy, it's shocking that over a third (34%) of the women surveyed who had given birth to one or more children admitted to consuming small amounts of alcoholic beverages when pregnant. It's something of a consolation, however, that nearly two thirds (63%) of the women surveyed had completely abstained from alcohol while pregnant.

We listen to family, the media and doctors
Nearly a third (32%) of the Poles surveyed by Ipsos had come across the opinion that pregnant women should regularly consume small amounts of red wine. However, more than twice as many (65%) had never heard such a thing.

Where did you come across the opinion that regular consumption of small amounts of red wine has a beneficial effect on pregnant women?

When asked where they had encountered the opinion that drinking small amounts of red wine has a beneficial effect on pregnant women, the respondents most often mentioned friends or family members (46%). Other sources indicated were press articles (23%) and radio/ TV programs (22%). It's curious to note that nearly 16% of the respondents mentioned doctors.

COMMENTARY ON THE STUDY:

I am disturbed about two facts revealed by this study.

First, an alarmingly high percentage of women admit to having consumed alcohol when pregnant.

The conclusion drawn by many studies, in Poland as well as abroad, on the factors affecting the development of the human fetus is that alcohol (regardless of the beverage in which it is contained) has a negative effect on the fetus's development. Alcohol is particularly dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy, because it's then that the child's central nervous system is formed. Alcohol consumed by the mother at this time can disturb the growth of various areas of the brain, resulting in neuropsychological deficiencies. They can take various forms in the future: attention deficit disorder, impaired memory, motor dysfunction, reduced intelligence quotient and verbal proficiency. They are not always diagnosed as effects of the mother's consumption of alcohol when pregnant.

Alcohol consumed by a pregnant woman can also lead to fetal alcoholic syndrome (FAS).

FAS is a set of mental and physical disorders which can take the form of mental retardation, brain dysfunction, developmental anomalies, learning and psychological disorders. Until recently it was believed that alcohol has a negative effect on the fetus in the case of mothers who abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. Recent studies have found, however, that it's impossible to specify any "safe" amount of alcohol that can be consumed by a pregnant woman. This fact imposes on doctors and gynecologists the duty to inform and warn their patients about the possible effects of consuming alcohol.

Yet - and this is the other fact I find disturbing - doctors are among the group of people who believe that a proverbial glass of red wine has a positive effect on pregnancy. The results of the study also confirm statements made by women on various internet forums concerning pregnancy, where the issue of alcohol consumption is often discussed. The positive statements of many women in the matter of drinking alcoholic beverages when pregnant are often backed up by the opinions of the doctors overseeing their pregnancies or expressing their views in the media.

Here's what one internet user had to say on the subject: "On a TV program a well-known gynecologist said that a glass of red wine is healthier for a child's liver in the mother's womb than the vitamins that pregnant women gulp down".

Anna Otffinowska
Rodzić po Ludzku Foundation