Drinking and smoking in pregnancy: what questions do Swiss physicians ask?

Although drinking and smoking during pregnancy can have hazardous effects to exposed children, a certain number of pregnant women continues to consume alcohol and nicotine. It was investigated whether physicians and midwives in Switzerland ask pregnant women about their drinking and smoking habits.

A self-report questionnaire was used to assess whether pregnant women were screened for alcohol and nicotine consumption by physicians or midwives. Data of 368 women were included in the analyses.

30.0% reported drinking alcohol at least once a month after pregnancy recognition, 2.2% reported binge drinking and 10.1% were smokers. Only in 36.1% of the sample drinking during pregnancy was addressed. The subgroup, which drank alcohol, was not more likely to be asked about drinking habits than non-drinkers. In contrast, smoking was addressed in 66.3% of the total sample and it was addressed in nearly 90% of the smokers' subgroup.

A change in the screening practice in prenatal care with regard to alcohol drinking during pregnancy is recommended. Brief interventions can reduce drinking during pregnancy.