As the festive season comes around so do the parties. But, did you know that one in 20 babies are conceived over the Christmas period will be as result of a drunken party? The research, by Bounty.com, revealed around 300 'booze boom' babies were born last September - and that figure is set to soar this year as the Christmas spirit kicks in.

The stats emerged in a study which also revealed one in ten children born over the last 15 years was conceived as a result of sex while under the influence.

Research among 3,000 mums found ten per cent fell pregnant accidentally after a boozy night out and of those more than half had 'no plans' for a baby at the time. But despite the unusual circumstances of the conception 78 per cent said they were delighted when they discovered they were expecting.

 Faye Mingo, spokeswoman for parenting club www.Bounty.com, which carried out the study, said:

“Whilst this news may not bode well for women who want to prevent an unplanned pregnancy at Christmas for those who are trying to conceive, now may be the perfect time. Couples who are trying to conceive are advised to avoid alcohol, however many parents who tried for a baby for a long period of time will know from firsthand experience that being relaxed and stress free can often be the key to conception. Time off work and time together should not be under estimated if you want to get pregnant this Christmas, but if you want to avoid getting pregnant make sure you take festive family planning seriously.”

The study for Bounty.com also revealed a third of people enjoy more sex than usual over the Christmas period - climbing between the sheets at least five times between Christmas Eve and New Years Day.

But only one in 10 stock up on extra contraception for the festive season despite plans to hit the sack with a bellyful of booze. Fourteen per cent of mums even admitted the extra Christmas sex was down to the fact they will be drunk for much of the time!

As well as alcohol, there are other factors which have led to babies being conceived by accident. The poll shows that 15 per cent of mums have discovered they were pregnant whilst taking the contraceptive pill.

A further one in ten has conceived after they had an illness such as a tummy bug or sickness and 15 per cent were expecting after they forgot to use any contraception at all.

According to the research one in five children are conceived on holiday, as 57 per cent of people admit they feel friskier when abroad. Indeed, during the average week's holiday, couples will get down to it at least five times.

And one in ten mums admits at least one of their children is the result of them having sex with their partner whilst they were drunk.

Faye Mingo added:

“If you have unprotected sex over the festive period and don’t want to be pregnant, visit your local pharmacy or GP for emergency contraception.  If on the other hand you do want to get pregnant relax and enjoy”