Pregnant women ignoring binge drinking risks: study

Disturbing new research has found many mums-to-be are putting their unborn baby's health at risk by continuing to drink while pregnant.

A survey of more than 1500 women drinkers revealed that becoming pregnant did not put the brakes on the habits of a majority.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle found that fewer than one in five women stopped drinking all together.

More than half of women who said they had five or more drinks in one sitting admitted they continued binge drinking through pregnancy.

Of the binge drinkers, less than a third of them cut back on alcohol and only 16 per cent quit all together.

The study also found that 44 per cent of women who reported drinking at least once a week without binging, kept drinking through pregnancy, while 39 per cent cut back and 16 per cent quit.

Alcohol consumption can lead to birth defects, but there's debate over how much is too much.

The national health guidelines recommend the safest option for pregnant women is to abstain completely.