'No alcohol' for pregnant women

The guidance replaces existing advice which recommends that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week, and should avoid getting drunk.

The Department said the new guidance was not based on new scientific evidence but was needed to help ensure that women did not underestimate the risks to their baby.

The guidance comes after a Government survey found that 9% of pregnant women were still drinking above recommended levels.

It says pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol, but if they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Fiona Adshead, said it was to provide stronger, consistent guidance across the UK.

Evidence showed that although all the UK had the same previous guidance, it was being interpreted differently across the countries.

Dr Adshead said: "We have strengthened our advice to women to help ensure that no-one underestimates the risk to the developing foetus of drinking above the recommended safe levels. Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive. This advice could also be included on alcohol packaging or labels. The advice now reflects the fact the many women give up drinking alcohol completely during pregnancy. It is now straightforward and stresses that it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether."

The Department of Health said the National Organisation on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome estimates that more than 6,000 children are born in the UK each year with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is an umbrella term for a range of problems including physical, mental and behavioural. For example, a child with FASD may have learning disabilities.

Dr Sheila Shribman, the National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity Services said: "Alcohol and pregnancy advice is now consistent across the UK. Our last survey of pregnant women showed that 9% were still drinking above the recommended levels. It is vital that we alert pregnant women and women hoping to conceive about the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy."