The Evidence Against Light Drinking During Pregnancy Is Not Solid Enough

Light drinking during pregnancy is not that dangerous, but women should still avoid it

(Mirror Daily, United States) – Pregnant women have always been advised to avoid drinking, as they might put their baby in danger. However, a new study suggests light drinking might not be that dangerous. Researchers found no solid evidence that drinking two wine glasses per week might harm the unborn baby. However, women should still avoid alcohol during pregnancy, just to make sure they don’t experience any unpleasant events.

Is light drinking safe or not during pregnancy?

Previous theories and studies suggested women were at risk of having premature babies if they drank up to four units of alcohol per week. However, the solid scientific evidence which should link light drinking to pregnancy complications is quite precarious.

Heavy drinking can, indeed, be dangerous for the baby. First of all, it might be born with serious physical and cognitive defects. Its entire behavioral development can be affected, and some other mental or motor skills can suffer. Therefore, all doctors tell women to avoid drinking high units of alcohol. However, the evidence regarding light drinking is still unclear.

Guidelines are a bit blurry, but women should avoid drinking just to be sure

Guidelines on alcohol during pregnancy or during the period when women are trying to conceive are a bit mixed. Some say they should avoid alcohol completely in this period. Others, however, say light drinking is harmless, and sticking to a maximum of four unites per week should be fine. This leaves women confused, as they don’t know if they are at risk or not.

Therefore, a team of researchers decided to compare the effects of light drinking with the effects of no drinking. Four units of alcohol per week corresponded with a 10 percent higher risk of premature birth. This evidence is not solid enough to banish drinking as completely unsafe during pregnancy, but women are still advised to avoid it just to be sure.

The study was published in the journal BMJ Open.
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Tara Hamilton

Tara has graduated from the University of Oregon, with bachelors degree in Spanish Literature in 2010. She lived in Miami for one year and travelled extensively before settling down in El Paso.