Smokin’, Drinkin’, Sniffin’ Glue

A recent study done by Jennifer Bailey and Karl Hill from the University of Washington’s Social Development Research Group found that,

Despite public health campaigns, a surprising number of women continue to use substances such as tobacco, marijuana and alcohol during pregnancy and their usage rebounds to pre-pregnancy levels within two years of having a baby…Men’s patterns of substance use during their partners’ pregnancies were even bleaker. Men typically are not targeted by these campaigns, and their levels of binge drinking, daily smoking and marijuana use remained fairly stable before, during and after pregnancy…

This is important, according to the study’s lead authors…because men’s substance use may make it harder for women to stop using while they’re pregnant and may make it more likely that mothers will resume smoking or drinking after their child is born.

I am someone who enjoys their wine with dinner, loves good beer and good conversation and (alas) lives in a state where going to see my favorite bands or to dance with friends means I will come home stinky with smoke. But when the meds start, these activities nearly grind to a halt. After transfer, if its not organic or prescribed, its not coming near my body.

These findings intrigued me simply because the world of post-pregnancy and childbirth seem so very far away. I wonder, should I be so lucky as to bear a little one, would I resume my evening glasses of wine, or would those luxuries cease to be something I think about? Will I crave that pisco sour while pregnant? I’m sure of that. But will it be so tasty afterwards?

Something makes me think no.

I think after nine months of not doing something, one would lose the taste/desire. Friends who are moms regale me with stories of how their metabolisms and inner workings have changed so drastically that the bottle of beer they would have downed without thinking is now enough to get them well beyond tipsy, so they think twice before imbibing.

But this study says otherwise.

For those of you who are already moms, have your drinking/smoking habits changed? For those of you trying to be moms, what steps have you taken to try to improve your chances? Do you think those changes will stick post-pregnancy?