Women who drink during pregnancy are at greater risk of not bonding with their babies, researchers have found.

Women who drink during pregnancy are at greater risk of not bonding with their babies, researchers have found.

The study, which was carried out by PhD student Eilidh Duncan at Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University, also indicated that mothers who drink alcohol are more likely to spend longer recovering in hospital following labour.

A total 130 women took part in the research project, at their 20-week check-up and three months later.

All were non-smoking, first time mothers, with 45% drinking on a monthly basis or less, 47.5% drinking two to four times per month, and 7.5% consuming alcohol two or three times per week when not pregnant.

Ms Duncan said: "The results are surprising. More women in our study (34.5%) reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy than has been reported in previous research."

The study looked at issues including delivery type, length of hospital stay, pregnancy and labour complications, maternal attachment and post-natal drinking habits.

Results showed that women who drank just one measure of alcohol per month when pregnant took an extra day to recover in hospital, with a bond being harder to forge with their child.

Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay, Ms Duncan's supervisor and lecturer at the university's school of applied Social Studies, said: "This research confirms that drinking even small amounts during pregnancy has negative outcomes for women.

"Alcohol use during pregnancy not only lengthens the mother's stay in hospital, but can be directly associated with lower levels of mother-child bonding."

Helen Ryall, programme manager for maternal and infant health at Health Scotland, said: "There is evidence that even drinking one or two units a day can lead to health and development problems for your baby.

"There is no safe' time for drinking alcohol during your pregnancy and there is no safe' amount. We do know that the risk of damage increases the more you drink."

Jack law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "We believe that now is the time for action if we are to change attitudes, beliefs and culture towards alcohol and its harmful impact on families and communities.

"Children reflect the world in which they live. If their world is safe, full of good relationships and is a good experience then a child is likely to become a productive member of society."