Findings of a pilot study of motivational interviewing with pregnant drinkers

42 pregnant women (mean age 24 yrs) who reported alcohol consumption participated in a pilot study of motivational interviewing. Following a comprehensive alcohol use assessment, the participants were randomly assigned to receive either written information about the risks related to drinking during pregnancy or a 1-hr motivational interview. The motivational interview was an empathic, client-centered, but directive session focusing on the health of the participants' unborn babies. Results show that at the end of a 2-mo follow-up period, the 34 women who remained in the study had a significant reduction in alcohol consumption and peak intoxication levels. Women who had reported the highest blood alcohol concentration levels during early pregnancy showed a significantly greater reduction in their estimated blood alcohol concentrations at follow-up (during later pregnancy) if assigned to the treatment vs control condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)