Limited help for drinking mums-to-be
"...The University of NSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre is pushing for new guidelines that would see pregnant women screened
for alcohol use at every medical appointment..."
8 Nov 2013
The Advertiser: Sue Dunlevy National Health reporter
PREGNANT women with a drinking problem that could leave their baby with brain damage have almost nowhere to turn for help, and fear
losing their child if they seek treatment.
A new report on the treatment of alcohol-dependent women says there are more services to treat pregnant women with drug problems than
alcohol problems - although alcohol use in pregnancy is a bigger problem.
The University of NSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre is pushing for new guidelines that would see pregnant women screened for alcohol use at every medical appointment.
"All pregnant women who screen positively for alcoholuse disorders should be offered access to treatment," the report says. "Treatment
should include inpatient admission for detoxification if necessary."
More than half of all women drink while pregnant and 3 per cent drink at risky levels.
About 2600 babies are estimated to be born every year with brain damage as a result of their mother's drinking.
Research has also found harmful levels of alcohol use during pregnancy is a risk factor for cerebral palsy, the study finds.
The review found most alcohol treatment services for pregnant women were in big cities and referral rates were very low.
In many cases women with a drinking problem were referred to a mental health practice or drug treatment service, where it might be
difficult for them to "sit in a room with drug addicts", the report said.
Many pregnant women with a drinking problem delayed their first prenatal visit to a doctor, making it hard to get them into early treatment.
Lead researcher Dr Lucy Burns said there was a great deal of stigma and guilt associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.
"Alcohol consumption is regarded with disapproval and shame during pregnancy. This stigma is largely responsible for a woman's lack of
disclosure of drinking during pregnancy," Dr Burns said.
Foundation Alcohol Research and Education chief executive Michael Thorn said it was vital women are supported to avoid alcohol while pregnant.
This would reduce the prevalence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, a range of lifelong but preventable conditions that result
from alcohol exposure in pregnancy, Mr Thorn said.