Is alcohol during pregnancy harmful?

The NHS advises pregnant women to avoid alcohol altogether, though a 2010 study suggests it is safe to drink in moderation



Mothers drinking like attempted manslaughter, court told

Binge-drinking in pregnancy is harmful to the baby in the womb that much is undisputed. Foetal alcohol syndrome is well-studied and talked about and can lead to facial deformities, liver, kidney and heart problems, cerebral palsy and other serious health issues.

The damage occurs in the early weeks of a pregnancy and only if the woman is drinking very heavily. But the existence of this fairly rare syndrome, with devastating effects on the unborn child, influences much of the debate around whether it is safe for pregnant women to drink alcohol at all, although experts also focus on an increased risk of miscarriage in the first three months.

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from Pregnancy | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1uvOuhR