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Ego-Dystonic Pregnancy and Prenatal Consumption of Alcohol Among First-Time Mothers

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Abstract

This study examines predictors of drinking during pregnancy among first-time mothers, in order to distinguish those in need of targeted screening and intervention. Data from the prenatal panel of the Parenting for the First Time study were used in hierarchical linear regressions to determine likelihood of prenatal alcohol consumption among a sample of 645 women. African-American women and those of race/ethnicities other than White were less likely to drink, regardless of age or level of education. Among all women, being in school was associated with abstention (P = 0.05). Among teens, endorsing a perception of feeling “pushed around” was a significant indicator of prenatal alcohol consumption (P = 0.05), as was not having plans for infant feeding shortly before delivery (P = 0.05). Among adults with some level of college education, having a first prenatal visit after the fourth month of pregnancy was a significant predictor of drinking (P = 0.01). This study indicates that women who evidence behaviors or attitudes indicating an ego-dystonic pregnancy (one that is psychologically or emotionally uncomfortable), may be more likely to self-medicate and cope via avoidance through drinking. These behaviors and attitudes may be indicators of the need for targeted screening and intervention, as well as indicators of underlying problems to be targeted in treatment. Further, among all women for whom continued education is a possibility, retaining the ability to attend school during the pregnancy can be protective.

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Acknowledgments

The primary author would like to acknowledge support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the form of training grant 2T32AA007567-16. The PFT data were collected by the Centers for the Prevention of Child Neglect (CPCN), which collection was supported by NICHD grant HD-39456; cosponsor groups include the CDC, NIDA, and the Department of Education, as well as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (# 037224). The primary author would like to thank Dr. Sharon Ramey and Dr. Jennifer Burke Lefever, both affiliated with the CPCN, who have been a great help, and Dr. Barry Freidman who provided feedback on this research at an early stage, and particularly would like to acknowledge the mentorship, guidance and encouragement that was provided by Dr. Lorraine V. Klerman, who was a senior member of the CPCN, and dedicates this article to her memory. The feedback of two anonymous reviewers also is greatly appreciated.

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  1. Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA

    Peggy L. O’Brien

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  1. Peggy L. O’Brien
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The Centers for the Prevention of Child Neglect

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Correspondence to Peggy L. O’Brien.

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Senior members of the the Centers for the Prevention of Child Neglect (CPCN) include John Borkowski, Judy Carta, Bette Keltner, Susan Landry, Craig Ramey, Sharon Ramey, and Steve Warren.

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O’Brien, P.L., The Centers for the Prevention of Child Neglect. Ego-Dystonic Pregnancy and Prenatal Consumption of Alcohol Among First-Time Mothers. Matern Child Health J 16, 1431–1439 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0907-5

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