Cantabria has the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption among women in Spain. Patterns of alcohol consumption before pregnancy were assessed as a determinant of alcohol cessation in pregnant women in Cantabria. Methods: Survey on a random sample of women delivering for the period 1998-2002 (n ¼ 1510). Information was obtained from personal interview (data on alcohol consumption), clinical charts and prenatal care records. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.

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... Multivariable analyses were carried out using logistic regression. Results: Nearly half (49.5%) of the women drank regularly before pregnancy and 22.7% during pregnancy. Sociodemographic variables favouring alcohol cessation were: high education level and smoking cessation, whereas high social class, advanced maternal age and employment outside of home decreased the rate of alcohol cessation. Cessation decreased with the amount of alcohol consumed on weekdays (P < 0.001), but not with intake during weekends only. In women with alcohol use only during weekends, only the consumption of spirits increased the rate of alcohol cessation (adjusted RR ¼ 1.40, 95% CI: 1.13-1.60). Pre-pregnancy binge drinking ($4 drinks on one occasion) decreased alcohol cessation in pregnancy (adjusted RR ¼ 0.66, 95% CI: 0.40-0.97). Conclusions: Drinking patterns influenced the rate of alcohol cessation: the heavier the alcohol consumption on weekdays, the lower the rate of alcohol cessation.