The Government's health watchdog, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reignited the debate on pregnancy and alcohol by now stating women should not drink at all when pregnant. The new message, which is to be released as part of a comprehensive review of health advice for pregnant women, has received mixed responses as is not based on any new findings or research. However the message supports the stance of a number of top clinical figures and also that of the Department of Health, who last year announced that pregnant women should not drink at all.
NICE had previously stated that women could safely drink up to 1.5 units (equivalent to a small glass of wine) after the first three months of pregnancy when the risk of damage to the foetus was most significant. The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has welcomed the change of advice, saying it should remove any doubt about what women should drink. According to Guardian's Society website, the final version of the guidelines to be issued will say:
- Pregnant women should be advised to avoid drinking alcohol in the first three months of pregnancy, because there may be an increased risk of miscarriage. Women planning to become pregnant should also stop drinking.
- Women should be advised that if they choose to drink alcohol while they are pregnant, they should drink no more than 1-2 units once or twice a week - equivalent to a small glass of wine, half a pint of 5% lager or strong cider. There is uncertainty about how much alcohol is safe to drink in pregnancy, but at this level there is no evidence of any harm to the unborn baby.
- Women should be advised not to get drunk or binge drink (more than 7.5 units of alcohol on a single occasion) while they are pregnant because this can harm the unborn baby.
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