The vast majority of pregnant women immediately stop smoking and drinking alcohol. However a new government survey reveals that a worrying percentage of expectant mothers - especially those under 25 - continue to drink and smoke. The province of Southern Finland polled pre-natal and paediatric health workers to get a sense of patient trends and professional reactions.
Among women over 25, 14 percent smoke and 12 percent occasionally drink alcohol, according to the poll. But health care workers see a much bigger problem in the habits of under-25's. This group smokes more, drinks more, and uses more drugs than older moms - and these figures are rising.
Alcohol abuse in particular is considered so dangerous to fetal health that 84 percent of health care workers polled say they would support legislation to force these women into substance abuse programmes. In addition to the high risk of birth defects, abusers are less likely to get regular check-ups and pre-natal care.
In the survey health professionals noted that a mother-to-be is far more likely to give up vices if she has strong support from her partner and family, as well as regular access to pre-natal health care.
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