This narrative review by Poole, Wolfson, and Huber (2025) examines the complex and interconnected factors that influence alcohol use during pregnancy. Drawing on 32 peer-reviewed studies published in 2023, the authors identify five overarching categories of influence: informational gaps, stress and mental health factors, social determinants of health, preconception and prenatal health behaviours, and structural barriers such as stigma and inadequate service access. The review emphasizes that alcohol use in pregnancy cannot be addressed through risk messaging alone; instead, effective FASD prevention must integrate trauma-informed, culturally safe, harm-reduction-oriented, and non-judgmental supports across systems. The authors call for coordinated policy, program, and health promotion efforts that recognize the broader realities of women’s lives rather than placing responsibility solely on individual behaviour.
