17 weeks pregnant, drinking all that time...

[SozzledandSorry]

Hi,

Am desperate for some reassurance here...

I recently discovered I am pregnant - the thing is, I am almost 17 weeks... had absolutely no idea, have been on the pill with periods as per usual (though mine are really irregular and erratic) and no symptoms.

Have been really busy with work/life so didn't twig until recently when I started busting out of my clothes! I know, I can't believe how daft I am either.

Huge shock to discover I was pregnant. But happy all the same - I really want this baby.

But here's the thing - I have been drinking for the past four months. Fortunately, I am not a binge drinker or anything like that. Even more fortunately, I was a bit sick over Christmas so didn't indulge as I usually would've.

Thinking back and doing frantic maths, I reckon I've probably had about eight to ten standard drinks every week. I remember only feeling tipsy on one occasion - not fall-down-drunk, just a bit merry. :(

Can anyone offer any advice, reassurance, stories of similar?

[GoAwaySnow]

Firstly congratulations! I was a surprise pregnancy when.Mum was 22, she only found out when she gave birth to me in January (so right after Xmas drinks!) My Mum also wasn't a heavy drinker, just a couple at the weekend.

Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

[TheSkiingGardener]

Bluntly, the good news is that the amount you describe isn't anywhere near enough to cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. You need to be a very heavy drinker to be even close to that. The not so good news is that alcohol intake can slightly increase some risks. Note the word slightly.

There is nothing you can do about what you drank, and in your shoes my personal opinion would be "bugger, oh well, better stop drinking now then". Talk to your midwife about it so she can discuss any specific worries you have with medical facts.

And 30 years ago alcohol wasn't even an issue pregnant women had to consider and we're all here ok.

Congratulations too

[Oneof4]

Congratulations! If it helps, my mum drank as she usual would throughout three of her four pregnancies and we all seem fairly normal. I'm not advocating boozing, by the way, just sharing. :)

[SozzledandSorry]

Thanks guys ... I feel in my heart that it's ok (sorry to sound even more of a flake than I did already) but just wanted some reassurance.

My mum told me her doctor prescribed her guiness for iron :/

[violetwellies]

Ask your midwife, as there are a lot of variables, including poverty, diet, domestic violence, age, number of previous pregnancies and where in the world you live :)Not to mention the type of alchohol you consume.
I really dont think you've anything to worry about, but asa previous post states, I dont know your medical history.

[babynelly2010]

I would not advocate this kind of a thing normally... but keep in mind people in 60s drunk and smoked through their pregnancies like there was no tomorrow, many went on to have normal children.
Did you have your scan, do things look normal? If yes, I would just relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy... congrats :)

[Crystylline]

sozzled i could have written that post!

exactly the same circumstances as me.

I'm now 40 weeks and all indicators from scans, mw appts etc are that bump is fine.

one of the things my MW and consultant said to me was that I had a consistent lifestyle (i was also doing vast amounts of physical work, long hours etc), and it's consistency that is important.

if you suddenly stop or start doing something new that's stressful or changes majorly your routines, diet etc that can be more harmful/risky (according to them) than if you have an established pattern.

so, i slowly stopped working such manic hours and all the other activities that were going to become physically difficult to do in the later stages anyway.

I also toned down completely my drinking ( was at a similar level to yours), but then again, at a certain point (around 20 weeks) alcohol started tasting revolting anyway. I've been guided by my body and its needs all the way through.

hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and congratulations.

[Jhas]

I have a few friends who have over indulged without realising (some who are massive party-heads), and whilst it's not ideal, their babies have turned out fine. I think the little blighters are more resilient than we give them credit for! As long as you keep to a healthy life style from now on then all should be well. If you are worried though, then go to the doctors.
Congratulations though! WOOOOP! A baby!
:)

[cloggs142]

i know im a few days late replying to tis, but ve just seen it and wanted to add a few words of comfort. Found out i was pg at 20 weeks.....like you had no idea, as was on te pill and still had periods...although did feel horribly ill, was told by 3 seperate doctors on 3 seperate occasons that what i was feeling were side effects of the pill, and jst to take some strong paracetamol and ibroprufen to combat the pain. so i did, i took quite an amount of medicaton that isnt suitable while pg, especially early on. Aswell as that, not at the same time as painkillers, i was drinking a little more than the amount you describe. i was also a smoker ( not heavy) but enough to feel really guilty once i found out. Anyway, basically after all that bump seems absolutley fine! am 33 weeks now and hes growing nicely and doing really well. ive known people who have done a helluva lot worse in early pregnancy, and altoug im in no way condoening alcohol/smoking/painkillers/eating ALL the wrong foods........i think it takes quite alot to do proper damage.
Good luck with everythin
g. hope it all goes well for you! :)

[Rutheyrocks]

Hello! This is me too! Found out late and Drank more than I've been reading is safe to do so, but about the same amount as you and am so scared of the consequences. How's your little one doing now?

[Nikki2ol6]

This happened to my friend but she was 24 weeks when she found out, she had been on the injection and was still having it every 3 months and one day her mum said you look pregnant and she said nooooo not me. It played on her mind so she took a test and yup she was pregnant!! The dr went her for a scan and she was 24weeks along and had been in town every Friday night after work drinking vodka!!! She stopped immediately of course and her baby boy was perfectly healthy he's 2 now and has met all of his Mile stones.
Try not to worry

[Rutheyrocks]

Wow!! Thank you so much!! Friends have been telling me not to worry, but it's not the same as hearing a positive outcome like this!! So grateful for the feedback. I've not had the most relaxing Christmas, as have been sick with worry. Thank you Nikki! I think at the worst, I drank maybe a couple of units 4-5 days in a row, which is considered binge drinking by research standards... but that was just one stressful week, a few weeks ago, when my partner's mother passed away. Fingers crossed there was no major brain development in that particular week!

[Coughingchildren5]

Are you me from a decade ago??!!

I only worked out I was pregnant at 17 weeks. It was a bit of a shock when i went for my first dating scan and there was an enormous fully formed baby in there!!

I too had been enjoying too many drinks, spirits etc, never really drunk but Def tipsy and Def not behaviour I would have been indulgingin if I had known at all.

Anyway my baby was fine, is fine, Don't worry about it.

Congratulations!!

[PeachBellini123]

I think a lot of women have been through this. Please don't let this ruin your enjoyment of your pregnancy. Congratulations

[BantyCustards]

Try not to worry. I'd been drinking more than the weekly recommended amount when I found out at 12 weeks - she's 3.5 now and is fine.

[Rutheyrocks]

Dear Coughing Peach and Banty! Thank you!! I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to hear your stories! Seriously! This forum is amazing! I think I can honestly (and finally!) give myself a break from worrying!! Thank you so much!! :)

[Rutheyrocks]

And thank you for the congrats! It really is the happiest of accidents, and I'm SO relieved I can enjoy this now, thanks to your stories!🙏🏻 The bit about the fully formed baby - that made me chuckle. It's such a shock isn't it?

[YerAWizardHarry]

I found out at 23 weeks with my DS and I was a 19 year old student so you can imagine the amount of alcohol I consumed. Of course not ideal at all but my son will be 4 in just over 3 weeks time and he's absolutely perfect.

[SmellySphinx]

Just another one here to say not to worry. I found out I was pregnant at 12 weeks ish, actually with both of mine. All the way through I had more than my fair share of beers after work and at the weekend. Think every 3 days on average about 5 cans. Oh and I smoked! Once I found out I stopped drinking and smoking entirely, but for 1 can of stout around xmas time. That was 11 years ago. It happens all the time, I read about a woman who got to 6months pregnant and she had no idea, she'd been on several holidays and several red wine binges. Everything was fine xx

[ConvincingLiar]

I drank for the first 10 weeks and everything was fine.

[mummatobe14]

I was wondering if anyone could share any knowledge or experiences they may have with this matter. I am 17 weeks pregnant (only just found out) and I have had a few binge drinking nights up until this time. On average maybe once a week and between a bottle and a bottle and half of wine each time. Whilst I will no longer drink at all does anyone have similar experiences as to whether my baby is harmed. I feel terrible of course and do not know what to do now.

[Borlotti]

mummatobe14 I was drinking very heavily one or two nights a week when I found out I was 14 weeks pregnant with my second child.
I'm talking whisky, beer and wine.
I stopped immediately upon finding out I was pregnant, but worried throughout the entire pregnancy that I'd caused my baby damage.
As it turned out, I needn't have worried. I now have a very happy and healthy 11 year old.
Speak to your midwife for reassurance, and congratulations!