Light drinking during pregnancy is probably fine, say researchers
![A glass of wine a week is unlikely to harm unborn babies, says a new study [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cvIenwEeQDEBub62QHxfyA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/f6065b4282faf884af7281e7b31d8343)
There’s clear evidence that heavy drinking during pregnancy can have some serious effects on the health of your baby.
But what about a few alcoholic beverages here and there?
A new review has found that there is “surprisingly limited” evidence that a bit of light drinking poses any risk to unborn babies.
A team from Bristol University reviewed every single study from the 1950s and found no proof that one drink a week is harmful.
In seven of the 26 studies, light drinking was however associated with an 8% higher risk of having a small baby as well as a slightly higher risk of having a premature birth.
Researchers are stressing that women should avoid alcohol throughout their pregnancy as the study is not confirming that alcohol is completely safe.
![Expectant mothers are still being advised to lay off the drink [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ez.dvmKKGgATnIcDVD_qEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/ece5abb342831cd992405833e47eb16a)
“My advice to women is that it’s best not to drink at all if you’re trying for a baby or are pregnant,” said Professor Russell Viner from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. “Regularly drinking even small amounts could be harmful and should be avoided, in line with the precautionary approach.”
Official guidelines currently state that pregnant women should remain teetotal. Guidelines were updated last year to advocate total abstinence. Before that, pregnant women were told they could safely drink one or two units of alcohol a week.
Heavy drinking, on the other hand, has been proven to increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth and can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome; a condition that causes mental and physical issues in newborns.
“A precautionary approach is still reasonable, but with luck this should dispel any guilt and anxiety felt by women who have an occasional glass of wine while they are pregnant,” said the University of Cambridge’s Professor David Spiegelhalter.
So there you have it. A rare glass of wine doesn’t make you a bad mother.
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