Understanding the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy

This research explored the attitudes of pregnant women (and those who have recently been pregnant) to alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks and how this might be linked to alcohol intake before and during pregnancy.

The researchers carried out a survey with 2092 women from across the UK, as well as in-depth interviews with 20 of the survey participants.

The survey found that 71% had consumed alcohol-free or low alcohol drinks during pregnancy. Consumption of the drinks was more common among women who had been drinking at higher levels before becoming pregnant.

The most common reason women gave for consuming alcohol-free or low alcohol drinks was ‘to choose a safer alternative to alcohol’. However the research also highlighted the need for clearer, reliable information on the consumption of these drinks during pregnancy. Over half of participants had received no information about them, and the most commonly used source of information was the internet or social media.

The report highlights four key recommendations:

1. Clarity - is needed on the safety and suitability of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy. Specifically, clarity is needed on those in the 0.05-1.2% ABV category as there are greater concerns expressed about the threshold levels
   
   
2. Labelling - of low-alcohol drinks should be improved, so that they are clearly distinguishable from alcohol-free drinks
   
   
3. Clear guidelines for professionals - about alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy and breastfeeding are needed for health care professionals so that consistent advice can be provided
   
   
4. Ensuring no- and low-alcohol is part of existing advice for pregnancy and beyond - organisations that provide advice to pregnant and breastfeeding women about alcohol, should also include specific advice about low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.