Rachel Weisz
© AFP/File Francois Guillot

London, Nov 14: Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz has irked medics by stating that it is ‘fine’ for pregnant women to drink alcohol.

The 35-year-old, who recently gave birth to her first child, said she thought it was perfectly acceptable for expectant mothers to have a glass of wine after the first three months.

"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, " she said.

Her comments, which were made while she promoted her latest movie The Fountain, were immediately criticised by medical experts who described them as "ill-informed" and "dangerous".

Experts have warned that even very small amounts of alcohol could result in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can lead to learning difficulties, poor co-ordination and attention deficit disorder.

Current UK guidelines say pregnant women can drink one or two units, the equivalent to one or two small glasses of wine or single measures of spirit, once or twice a week.

In the US and Canada complete abstinence from drinking is advised for expectant mothers.

"If Rachel Weisz has drunk during her pregnancy and the baby is fine then that's just pure luck. The problem is that you don't know who is at risk and who is not.

"It doesn't mean that anyone who has drunk alcohol is going to be affected but because we cannot predict, then it is safer to avoid it, “foetal alcohol syndrome specialist Dr Raja Mukherjee, of St George's Hospital Medical School in London, was quoted by the DailyMail, as saying.

"There is a risk throughout your whole pregnancy.There is potential harm to the unborn baby's brain at any point and that is fact," he added.

Weisz, who won an Oscar last year for her role in The Constant Gardener made her comments in an interview in New York to publicise the film, in which she appears with actor Hugh Jackman. (ANI)