Half of all pregnant Irish women are still drinking alcohol
FIGURES: One in 12 also smoke during pregnancy
Friday February 29 2008
Despite general advice that mums-to-be refrain from drinking alcohol, 50pc continue to consume alcohol, a new survey has found.
One in 12 mothers continue to smoke while they are expecting, with 6pc smoking more than a packet a week.
More pregnant women actively change their eating habits while pregnant than quit the booze. Two thirds (65pc) of mums-to-be make alterations to the way they eat with the percentage rising to 78pc among first time mothers.
According to the survey conducted by Vivas Health, fathersto- be are also slow to change their habits in the build up to the birth of their child.
Only 30pc of Irish men took charge of the housework during their pregnancy, although according to their partners they were willing to help out.
However, once the baby was born 80pc of men stepped in and took over all the work around the home.
Three quarters of mothers said that they attended prenatal classes. Of those who attended, first-time-fathers were likely to go with them. But after their first child, only 44pc of fathers attended.
Again, first-time-dads were the best for helping with the nappy-changing at 82pc, with this falling to just 65pc of fathers helping out with nappies after the first child.
About half of fathers got involved with feeding the new babies and 49.3pc of dads minded the child at night time.
New mothers are always seeking more information about their pregnancy and the survey found that the internet was the most popular destination for new mums to find the answers to their questions.
BOOKS
Some 57pc of new mums logged on for data, compared with 56pc approaching their GP. Another 52pc relied on friends and 45pc turned to pregnancy books.
Most of the expectant mothers, 88pc, said that their partners provided them with emotional support during the pregnancy. A further 83.3pc said that they got great support from their public health nurse.
Of the mothers surveyed, half didn't make any financial provision for the birth of their child.
