Most pregnant women in Ireland avoid alcohol, UCD research shows
17 February 2026
Alcohol consumption during early pregnancy in Ireland is significantly lower than previously reported, according to new research.
Previous estimates, based largely on self-reported data, suggested that between 20% and 60% of pregnant women in Ireland consumed alcohol.
These figure are now in doubt as (opens in a new window)a study, led by the UCD Perinatal Research Centre at the National Maternity Hospital, involving more than 1,000 pregnant women found none had tested positive for ethanol, a marker of recent alcohol consumption.
Researchers found that of the 1,053 urine samples tested, only four tested positive for ethyl glucuronide, an indicator of alcohol consumption within the last 24 to 80 hours.
The findings suggest that the vast majority of women in Ireland are avoiding alcohol during early pregnancy, according to senior co-author of the study Professor (opens in a new window)Fionnuala McAuliffe, Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the UCD Perinatal Research Centre and UCD School of Medicine.
“This evidence shows that women are responsible. Once they find they're pregnant, they're taking it seriously, they're avoiding toxins, and the public health message is getting out there,” she said, speaking on RTE Radio 1’s (opens in a new window)Today with David McCullagh.
“And we must keep supporting women to take those choices… it is very encouraging that people are following the advice.”
This latest study was carried out at one urban hospital (Dublin) and two semi-rural hospitals (Wexford and Kilkenny), and included expectant mothers over 18 years of age, attending for visits at around 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Drinking in pregnancy increases the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a life-long condition that can affect brain development, behaviour, learning and physical health, leading to difficulties with memory, attention, emotional regulation and social interaction.
Previous reports on consummation of alcohol in pregnancy by women in Ireland were a decade old, said Professor McAuliffe.
These studies relied on self-reported data and were binary in nature, asking women if they had drunken alcohol at any point during their pregnancy even when they might have been unaware that they were pregnant.
“[So, in] the previous studies, anything from 20 to 60% of people had said, yes, they had taken a drink in pregnancy. But those studies are 10 years old now, so I think things have moved on a bit. I think awareness about avoiding alcohol has moved on quite significantly.
“There's no safe level of alcohol in pregnancy, and I think women are receiving that message.”
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
