Alcohol and Bub

[first_time_mummy]

I didnt realise i was pregnant til i was 6 weeks, and I was a heavy drinker.
Being 21 i was out almost every weekend with my friends, drinking it up and dancing in clubs.....
Of course i was totally unaware that i was pregnant.
I also had a massive party night for my dads birthday only a week before i found out i was pregnant.

When i found out i was pregnant i was totally mortified, i was so scared as to what damage i may have caused to my poor little bub...

I stopped drinking the day i found out i was expecting, and since then, have had only a few glasses of wine on my birthday, and one occassional west coast cooler (only 0.7 standard drinks per bottle)

I was just hoping the early drinking sessions i had have had no effect on bub?
I have my NT (down syndrome scan) tomorrow...can this scan pick up any abnormalities caused by the early drinking i did?

[Tinks]

I was 21 when I got pregnant with my 1st and drank heavily, just like you, up until the day I found out. He was fine. Maybe discuss it with your dr. But lots of people do get drunk before they know they are pregnant. Dont feel guilty at all.

[first_time_mummy]

ok...thanks

[Muffy]

I cant say for sure that no damage has been done because im not a doctor!
BUT i didnt find out i was pregnant till about 8 weeks and i drank heavily (and done other naughty stuff) and stopped as soon as i found out and now i have a healthy almost 2 year old!

[HotI]

I was just hoping the early drinking sessions i had have had no effect on bub?
I have my NT (down syndrome scan) tomorrow...can this scan pick up any abnormalities caused by the early drinking i did?

No, effects of alcohol during pregnancy are often not obvious until children are born and present in developmental delays.

The NT scan only gives you a risk figure for down syndrome and other chromosomal variations. Sometimes heart problems can also be hinted at.

[Mumma2three]

I think you will find it is very common for people to have drunk before they knew they were pregnant. I remember telling my OB when I was preg with DD1 that I was so scared as I didnt' know for 6 weeks and had had my bday overseas....thus lots of drinking! Anyway, he said he hears that all the time and not to worry. Which was good advice because it was too late anyway! I just stopped after I foudn out.
Saying that I had two beers whilst pregnant with DD2 and then with DS1 I had a wine a few times (prob about 6 all up over the pregnancy.) I also had a friend that had a glass of wine each friday night while pregnant. Try not to worry on what's been done just focus on future. xo

[alioops]

I had 2 strongbow sweets in the 2nd trimester. Only 2 for my entire pg this time. I dont remember having any with the older 2 but I may have. Lots of people do have a huge amount to drink before they know they are pg, and there really is nothing that can be done about it after that point. The occasional drink is not likely to do any damage, for example 1 a week or month. I am looking forward to getting some for a few celebratory drinks a few hours apart when Miss L arrives.

[Miss E]

I also had a couple of big weekends before I found out I was pregnant at 4.5 weeks. My doctors all said not to worry about it. However I haven't had a drink since I found out I was pregnant.

Yes, my doctor did say I could have a glass of champagne or wine if I wanted, but that it shouldn't become a daily, weekly or even a monthly thing, just on a special occasion. I have however decided not to have a drop, it's nine months of my life and it doesn't hurt me to go without, but it could hurt bubs if I don't, so for me the choice was easy. And, I know if I had one drink, chances are I'd want another, so it's easier not to have any

A lot of people do say that drinking in moderation is okay as it takes a lot to cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, however I have heard that even one drink will cause your blood pressure to rise temporarily, which in some way (even a small way) does effect your baby.