Women should drink no alcohol at all during pregnancy, according to new government advice.
The advice, also aimed at women trying to conceive, replaces the current advice describing a couple of glasses of wine a week as acceptable.
The policy change resulted from concerns that there is simply no safe amount of alcohol that mothers-to-be can drink, and that even small amounts would only minimise the risk rather than remove it.
The Health Department said it did not want to alarm those who had followed the previous guidance.
Dr Fiona Adshead - Deputy chief medical officer - said, "We have strengthened our advice 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."
She added that many women stop drinking alcohol when they are pregnant but almost 10 per cent still drink more than the recommended levels.
The Government is about to make an announcement next week that, after a voluntary agreement with the drinks industry, all alcoholic drinks bottles and cans should bear the message, "Avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive".
Foetal alcohol syndrome affects one in 1000 babies and causes low birth weight, behavioural difficulties, flattened features, heart and kidney abnormalities, deafness and brain damage.
One percent of babies are affected by a less severe form called Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which can lead to attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and poor concentration.
25 May 2007 | 
Midwife Work Done By Unqualified Support Staff
