There has always been controversy surrounding alcohol and pregnancy with many guidelines and suggesting that excessive drinking can cause damage to unborn babies.
However, a recent study by Oxford University has found that occasional binge drinking in pregnancy appears to have no direct link to birth defects. The team from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the university examined hundreds of studies from across the world and selected a handful that allowed them to investigate the effects of binge drinking.
The results showed “no convincing evidence” that binge drinking in pregnancy could harm the fetus but two of the studies did hint that a child could be born with a very slightly lower IQ or have behavioural difficulties.
The team who carried out the research suggested that new studies were needed, but that their recent findings could offer some reassurances to women concerned about the effects of a single binge drink during their pregnancy.
This year the Government changed its advice to recommend that pregnant women abstain from drinking. This is also backed by The British Medical Association, which suggests that women should avoid alcohol altogether as a precaution during pregnancy.
If you are concerned about the issues surrounding alcohol and pregnancy then you can find out more on the site here.
You can also have your say in our new vote on the homepage - Do you think that drinking alcohol is acceptable during pregnancy?
