Send This Page to a Friend Pregnant and Postpartum Women Problems associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use during pregnancy are well documented in the research literature. An emerging consensus views alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use during pregnancy as a community problem. Inherent in that view is that services must be developed by community members to create a broad community continuum of services. In addition, services should be not only physically accessible to community members, but also culturally accessible.
Pregnancy provides a strong motivation for alcohol, tobacco, and drug using women to seek help.
However, fear of reprisals, legal interventions, and loss of child custody prevents many women from getting help. In addition, prevention strategies that combine information with options for change have shown promising results in reducing the problem of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use during pregnancy. Much of the impetus behind Federal legislation requiring health warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers was concern that people were not aware that consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some States and communities require the posting of warning signs on the risks of drinking during pregnancy at establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. Other prevention programs to reach women include physician training and outreach to women to help them receive prenatal care.