Table 1

Self-reported alcohol intake among pregnant women in the CARE study

Characteristicn (% total sample)Mean95% CI
Alcohol intake (units/week)*
 4 Weeks before pregnancy1153 (100.0)11.210.4 to 12.1
 First trimester1135 (98.4)4.03.6 to 4.4
 Second trimester793 (68.8)1.81.6 to 2.0
 Third trimester377 (32.7)1.91.5 to 2.3
Categories of intake 4 weeks before pregnancy†
 Non-drinkers157 (13.6)00
 ≤2 Units/week148 (12.8)0.90.9 to 1.1
 >2 Units/week848 (73.6)15.114.1 to 16.1
Categories of intake trimester 1
 Non-drinkers243 (21.4)00
 ≤2 Units/week292 (25.7)0.80.7 to 0.8
 >2 Units/week600 (52.9)7.26.6 to 7.9
Categories of intake trimester 2
 Non-drinkers291 (36.7)00
 ≤2 Units/week278 (35.1)0.80.8 to 0.9
 >2 Units/week224 (28.3)5.44.8 to 5.9
Categories of intake trimester 3
 Non-drinkers193 (51.2)00
 ≤2 Units/week80 (21.2)0.90.8 to 1.0
 >2 Units/week104 (27.6)6.35.2 to 7.3
  • *1 unit of alcohol is 10 mL by volume or 8 g by weight of pure alcohol.

  • †Categories based on the Department of Health (2008) weekly recommendations of no more than 2 units/week.14

  • CARE, Caffeine and Reproductive Health.