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Table 3 Midwives' attitudes about alcohol consumption during pregnancy

From: Midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practice about alcohol exposure and the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

 

Midwives

 

Number answering question

n (%)

Midwives' agreement with statements about asking every pregnant woman about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy…

 Will identify women who need support to stop consuming alcohol during pregnancy

160

147 (91.9)

 Will enable changes in behaviour and improved health outcomes for the mother and child

160

137 (85.6)

 Will make it easier to diagnose or exclude alcohol related problems in the child

160

137 (85.6)

 Will uncover complex problems that are difficult for midwives to address

160

88 (55.0)

 Will lead to some women feeling judged

160

85 (53.1)

 Will cause anxiety and guilt among women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy

160

84 (52.5)

 Will distress or anger pregnant women

159

70 (44.0)

 Will threaten my relationship with pregnant women

160

21 (13.1)

Midwives agreed that…

  

 Information about the effect alcohol may have on the fetus should be readily available to women of childbearing age

162

157 (96.9)

 Pregnant women should completely abstain from consuming alcohol

162

148 (91.4)

 Pregnant women expect midwives to advise them about the consequences of alcohol consumption in pregnancy

162

139 (88.8)

 Women planning to become pregnant in the near future should abstain from consuming alcohol

162

137 (84.6)

 Infrequent consumption of one standard drink of alcohol during pregnancy is not harmful to the mother or fetus

162

52 (32.1)