Figure 4. Example of a Brief Intervention for a Pregnant Woman

UCLA Western Medical-Allied Health Education Center on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

FEEDBACK AND RESPONSIBILITY:

“You have already done many good things to have a healthy pregnancy. You mentioned that you are having ____drinks on occasion. Did you know that there is no safe amount of drinking when you are pregnant because alcohol exposure can hurt a developing fetus? What you do about your drinking is up to you. But you can have a healthier baby if you stop drinking now. A baby who has been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy might have some problems.”

MAJOR PROBLEMS:

• Small size
• Mental retardation
• Facial deformities
• Heart problems

OTHER PROBLEMS:

• Eating and sleeping
• Hyperactivity and inattention
• Language delays
• Memory and learning
• Hearing and vision
• Social problems
• Motor delays

ADVICE TO CHANGE:

“The best advice for a pregnant woman is to not drink any alcohol.”
Ask for a response to your advice to make sure the woman understands the need to take action. “What do you think about what I have just said? Would you like to work with me to stop drinking during this pregnancy?”

MENU OF WAYS TO REDUCE DRINKING, RISKY SITUATIONS:

“People drink for different reasons. Here are some examples of risky situations for some people:
• At a party
• On weekends
• Following arguments
• When feeling uptight or stressed
• When feeling angry
• When smoking
• When friends are drinking
• When feeling sad
• Wanting to fit in.
Are there situations in which you feel like you want to drink?”