Cessation of Alcohol in Pregnancy

Cessation of Alcohol in Pregnancy

1. Pathophysiology

   • Pregnancy outcomes
     • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/FASD
       • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/FAS
       • learning/education difficulties
       • Mental illness
       • Substance abuse
     • Long term effects
     • Alcohol Related Birth defects/ARBD
     • Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorders/ARND
       • Developmental/cognitive/behavioural problems
   • Maternal health
   • Method of transfer to fetus
   • Stages of development/exposure risks
   • Dose/frequency

2. Recommendations

   • Role of nurse/HCP
     • Health promotion
     • Support to quit
     • Keep up with current research/evidence based
     • Risk assessment - how much alcohol consumed before realising pregnant?
     • Reassurance
     • Referrals
       • Drug/alcohol services
       • ATSI health worker
       • GP
       • Obstetrician
   • Government guidelines

3. Barriers

   • Personal beliefs/non-evidence based
   • At-risk population groups
     • Indigenous Australians/other ethnicities
     • Low SES
     • Drug abuse
     • Genetic differences?
     • General public - high rates of drinking before precnancy

4. Benefits

   • Long term health benefits
     • Healthy lifestyle/reduce risk of disease