Ahhh the Brits. The nice people often accused of bad food, excellent architecture and poor taste in allies have finally ruled against moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Rachel Weisz
better watch where she quaffs that next brew. Unlike the Aussies, who lately have determined that drinking in moderation is still acceptable, the British government has decided to rule against even occasional consumption during pregnancy or when trying to conceive a child. Warning labels to this effect will be added to wine, beer, and spirits. Shockingly France, the poster country of wine with everything, is apparently also considering warning labels.
Not surprisingly, wine growers and others representing alcohol interests, argue that the pregnancy warnings are overkill and point out, rightly, the new warnings contradict existing Department of Health guidelines, which allow occasional usage as not damaging to the fetus.
Despite the terrible outcomes associated with drinking heavily while pregnant (fetal alcohol syndrome), most women admit to consuming alcohol at some point during pregnancy. So total abstinence may be the absolute safest course of action, but I'm with Rachel Weisz on this one. I think it's better to have an occasional glass of wine after the first trimester than try and follow a rigid regimen of total abstinence. And now apparently we'll both be "pilloried" in England and the States.
