Avoid the drink during this time
Women who are trying to conceive and those who are pregnant- in their first three months of pregnancy, should not drink any alcohol according to new UK guidelines.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have previously said that a couple of glasses of wine a week is acceptable.
This has now changed and they stress that any alcohol during pregnancy could be harmful to the baby.
There is no proof of what a safe amount to drink is during pregnancy.
This new advice falls in line with the guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
“There are lots of mixed messages when it comes to alcohol advice so today's guidance is a welcome and reliable source of information” said Dr Simon Newell of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
In the US, it is advised that there is no safe time to drink while carrying a baby. The RCOG says that at the moment of conception and during the first three months- this is when the baby is most at risk from the effects of alcohol.
It affects the unborn baby by passing through the placenta and can increase the chance of miscarriage.
After the three months are up, women are encouraged not to drink any more than one or two units, once or twice a week.
Any more and this could affect the baby’s development- such as its brain development and how it grows in the mother’s womb. It can result in foetal growth restriction- which can cause stillbirths and premature labour.
Philippa Marsden of the RCOG said: "For women planning a family, it is advisable not to drink during this time. Either partner drinking heavily can make it more difficult to conceive.
"During early pregnancy, the safest approach is to abstain from alcohol and after the first trimester keep within the recommended amounts if you do decide to have an alcohol drink. The same applies for women who decide to breastfeed.
"If you cut down or stop drinking at any point during pregnancy, it can make a difference to your baby. However, in some instances, once the damage has been done, it cannot be reversed. If you have any questions or concerns about alcohol consumption talk to your midwife, GP or health visitor who can offer support and advice."
Dr Simon Newell of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: "There are lots of mixed messages when it comes to alcohol advice so today's guidance is a welcome and reliable source of information for women who are thinking about trying for a baby and for women who have already become pregnant.
Approximately 6,000 babies a year in the UK are born with some form of damage as a direct result of alcohol intake during pregnancy.
"It is impossible to say what constitutes as a 'safe' amount of alcohol a mother can drink as every pregnancy is different, so our advice to mothers is don't take a chance with your baby's health and drink no alcohol at all."
Source: BBC News