And what about all those pregnant Frenchwomen who drink (while also apparently shedding their baby weight with ease and bringing up perfect bébés)? One study in Europe that surveyed pregnant women and new mothers during two months showed that only 11.5 percent of women reported consuming alcohol once they knew they were pregnant. Of these women, most (72 percent) had a single five-ounce glass of wine or less the entire pregnancy . And yet at least 10 percent of pregnant women still drink during pregnancy. The best analogy for the risk associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy is driving with your newborn unbuckled in the back seat.

Source: New York Times February 05, 2019 22:07 UTC