Rachel Weisz courts controversy on drinking while pregnant

In America, taking a glass of wine whilst pregnant is fast becoming about as acceptable as mainlining drugs whilst eight months along. So American journalists were shocked when British actress Rachel Weisz was asked whether it was OK to drink whilst pregnant and said; 'Personally I do. They say not in the first three months though, but I think that after that it's fine. I mean in Europe they drink it.'

The Oscar-winning actress's comments sparked off a huge debate on the subject of drinking during pregnancy. In America pregnant women are told to abstain completely from alcohol. In the UK, current department of health advice is that one or two units a week are acceptable.

Sharon Fleisher, founder of the National Organisation of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, told the Daily Mail: "Damage to a foetus can be caused throughout the whole nine months of pregnancy. I think that the comment that she made is dangerous. It is very irresponsible because she is not an expert and she doesn't know the full effects alcohol can have on an unborn child.'

But the Royal College of Midwives were less harsh on Rachel saying; 'We don't take the view that women have to abstain from alcohol altogether. If women feel they can abstain then that has obviously got to be the least risk. But if it is part of your social norm then we don't feel there is anything wrong with having the odd drink. Every one is different and we as midwives try to ensure that their pregnancy is manageable for them. We just want women to accept pregnancy as part of their normal life'.

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