A report focussing on the reproductive health of women from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH). The report was developed on the basis of discussions between the ALSH research team and the staff of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and has the broad aim of examining reproductive health among Australian women of child bearing ages.
In section 6.5. Use of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy the report examines the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption among nonpregnant women and before, during and after pregnancy. Of women who were smokers and not pregnant at any survey 30% quit smoking over the ten years from 1996 to 2006. At least half the women who were smokers before pregnancy quit smoking during pregnancy, but 30% or more did not. Of women who were drinking at risky levels (for pregnant women) but were not pregnant at any survey, 40% stopped risky drinking over the ten years from 1996 to 2006.
More than half the women who were drinking at risky levels (for pregnant women) before pregnancy stopped drinking at those levels during pregnancy, but 35% or more did not. Women who were younger were more likely to smoke or to consume alcohol at risky levels during pregnancy.