New Report: Alcohol in Pregnancy
Because of growing concerns over Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a new recommendation was issued by the The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), calling for pregnant women to abstain from alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy. The RCOG further recommends it is safest to avoid alcohol during pregnancy, but offers specific quantities that should not be exceeded if a women does choose to imbibe.
‘No alcohol in early pregnancy’ call
Women trying for a baby and those in the first three months of pregnancy should not drink any alcohol, updated UK guidelines say.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) had previously said a couple of glasses of wine a week was acceptable.
It now says abstinence is the only way to be certain that the baby is not harmed.
There is no proven safe amount that women can drink during pregnancy.
The updated advice now chimes with guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
“There are lots of mixed messages when it comes to alcohol advice so today’s guidance is a welcome and reliable source of information ”
Dr Simon NewellRoyal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
In the US, experts say there is no safe time to drink during pregnancy.
But the RCOG highlights around the time of conception and the first three months of pregnancy as the most risky.
Alcohol in pregnancy
Drinking alcohol may affect the unborn baby as some will pass through the placenta.
Around conception and during the first three months, it may increase the chance of miscarriage, says the RCOG.
After this time, women are advised to not drink more than one to two units, more than once or twice a week, it says.
Drinking more than this could affect the development of the baby, in particular the way the baby’s brain develops and the way the baby grows in the womb, which can lead to foetal growth restriction and increase the risk of stillbirth and premature labour, says the advice.
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Complications from alcohol in pregnancy:
For more information on the risks of alcohol during pregnancy, visit National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Marcie Hadley
Marcie Hadley, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), CLC, and LCCE(LAMAZE), has been serving families since 2010. She especially enjoys getting to know her families, meeting their unique needs, and sharing evidence-based care information. Marcie has worked with unmedicated, medicated, C-section, family friendly C-Section, and VBAC labors, Her postpartum experience includes working with families of first children to families of 10. She has worked with mothers who have experienced postpartum depression and illness following birth. Her goal is to empower mothers in their own mothering wisdom.