Found out at 27 weeks ; worried about alcohol use

[deb1407]

Hi all ..

I am 33 weeks pregnant, I found out at 27 weeks we were expecting, and although I am beyond excited I'm really struggling with anxiety as I had a " couple " of nights out where I was very drunk with horrible hangovers the next day - the fact I was pregnant explains a lot, other than 2 major nights out I possibly consumed 4 units per week but nothing from 27 weeks. Has anyone been in the same situation and had a healthy baby. Il never forgive myself for something that has been out of my control :(

[MissBax]

Have you had an anomaly scan?

[AnastasiaB]

I'm in a similar situation. Found out at 20 weeks (now 26) and felt so bad about drinking even though I didn't know at all. Was still having bleeds and no other symptoms. All my tests and scans so far have came back fine though so I'm trying not to worry. Have you had tests etc done? Hopefully someone on here can give you better advice than me and put you at ease but honestly try not to be so hard on yourself, you didn't know you were just living life as usual, we're not the first ones this has happened to and I've read a lot of people having healthy babies despite early drinking in pregnancy. Hoping everything is okay for you

[deb1407]

Yes I've had one and all seems fine along with measurements etc, also had a 4D scan at 29 weeks and baby looks some beautiful .. & spitting image of her daddy. But the worry is making me sick and causing me more stress than anything else :( xx

[Crumbs1]

Alcohol damage is actually quite rare.

[Laurajonesy]

Can I just ask did you have normal periods up till you found out?. Did you literally ha no idea?? Also try not to worry to much about something out of your control

[YoullNeverWeeAlone]

I know people who have (unknowingly) drunk in pregnancy and taken drugs. They all have children who are perfectly fine. All 3 were 20+ weeks when they found out.

It's not a guarantee, but please try not to stress yourself about it too much. You can't change it now, just make the best decisions you can going forward. Hope you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

[blue2014]

My sister found out at 6 months having drunk, her (now 15 year old) son is fine (and also wonderful and brilliant and handsome and ace )

[Oopsypoopsy]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's just been a couple of times that you've been drunk not regularly. I for one have enjoyed a glass of wine plenty of nights during my pregnancies and my kids are awesome with no ill effects at all. People have done a lot worse without harming their babies so just try to have a healthy and enjoyable remainder of your pregnancy and be glad you skipped the difficult early weeks of nausea etc. Get shopping for cute clothes for your baby and enjoy. x

[MissBax]

Aww glad the scans went well. Just try and relax now :) FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) is very rare and generally the effect of severe alcoholism

[monkeyfacegrace]

Alcohol damage is very very rare. And usually from people drinking a bottle of vodka a day.

4 units a week is literally nothing.

Try not to worry. And congrats.

[kel1493]

I wouldn't worry too much.
I drunk during my pregnancy (a lot less than normal, and weaker drinks than normal), but my baby was fine.
My mum drunk the same as usual during pregnancy and the 3 of us were fine.

[MissBax]

kel - are you saying you and your mum knowingly drank in pregnancy? If so, I really don't think that's something to brag about.

[mayhew]

As a midwife, I would say that fetal alcohol problems are caused by persistent heavy drinking. A couple of sessions are very unlikely to cause a problem. It's hard not to worry but try and park it in the past. You didn't know and therefore did not knowingly do something risky.

[anametouse]

Mayhew - midwives are ace, thanks

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

The reading I've done suggests that it's alcoholism levels of drinking that put baby at risk of FAS, so more than 4 units and every day, not over a week.

[deb1407]

Hi everyone.

Thanks for your comments. They have been reassuring.

I went for a wellbeing scan today. The lady was lovely and took lots of time with me .. my little princess appears perfect at the moment - probs panic over nothing although can't be sure until she's here: but it's enough to allow me to enjoy my pregnancy, or the short period that's left!

Do

[Jletterz8]

I personally am 25 weeks and I didn't know I was pregnant. I drink on average a glass of wine or two a night and the occasional shot. I never drink to the point that I get drunk. I can't even remember the last time I got drunk. I am now so worried about my baby. My baby is measuring right on point and we had blood work done that came back normal but I hope that drinking a little bit everyday hasn't done permanent damage to my baby.

[LH1987]

Didnt the NHS used to say 1-2 drinks 1-2 times a week (about 4 units) was okay? If they did, I'm sure loads of women have drunk 4 units a week throughout their whole pregnancies.

Congrats on your pregnancy as all the pp have said, you really have nothing to worry about.

[zscaler]

Don’t worry about it now OP - it’s very unlikely to have caused problems, and you’ve had a reassuring scan.

[BeMorePacific]

This is a pretty interesting article: theconversation.com/rules-about-how-to-behave-in-pregnancy-diminish-womens-freedom-57900
If men were the ones carrying the babies the rules on drinking would be a lot more lax.
Take care x

[Jletterz8]

I am going to remain abstinent the rest of my pregnancy and I take all my prenatals and take extra dha and epa to help with brain development. But I've read that FAS can happen even if you drink a glass of wine. And I've drank every night my entire pregnancy with dinner a glass of wine or two and sometimes have had an occasional shot. Not proud of it. Never have I drank to the point that I was impared or intoxicated. I have read that my baby can come out with facial deformities. I called a hotline last night and the woman said that FAS usually is more likely when the mother is getting drunk Everytime she drinks which hasn't been the case for me but I am just freaking out. I am going to call my Dr and see if they can do a stress test and another ultrasound with better views of the my baby's face to see if there are signs of any abnormalities. From what my other ultrasounds look like they look just like my son's did. Does anyone else have similar experiences with drinking the first few months of pregnancy. I'm just so worried because it's been almost everyday up to 25 weeks. Just hasn't ever been that much. I have been so stressed with the corona virus quarantine in my country and having to quit my job to stay home with my son since his school has been shut down since March and is done for the school year..it's been so hard. All of it

[MATTSMAMMA]

Can I please ask and please please don’t take offence but I am fascinated as to how a pregnancy can progress so far and the mum not be aware?

I’ve read up on this a few times but would live to hear first hand? I think it’s also because just lately I’ve had the odd strange sensations in my tummy and always wonder if this could happen to me ? Probably wishful thinking in my part tbh as I actually went as far as taking a test but negative. Just want to wish the best of luck to all of you xx

[ToshLatte]

I can't answer for OP, but for myself I found out I was pregnant at 28 weeks (April 2020). DD was born in July of this year.

I have PCOS and was told I would need medical intervention to help conceive (we weren't trying at the time), to help manage my PCOS, I was talking the pill as I was producing too much testosterone. Besides that, I hadn't had a period since 2018.

The only thing that gave away my pregnancy was a slight change in my boobs That and I had terrible intergestion each time I laid down to sleep at night (which I now know to be DD kicking, whoops - felt like gas bubbles).

I wonder if OP can update us? I'm here for the same reason, and there is always that wonder in the back of my mind

[dottiedaisee]

I was working with someone a few weeks ago who worked with me one evening and when she got home she had to dive on the floor to stop her dog knocking TV over . That night she woke up at 1am with severe abdominal pain and gave birth 10 mins later ...she did not have a clue she was pregnant!! Baby was estimated to be about 36 weeks. Baby is fine and Mum still in shock ...it really can happen!

[LauraLily246]

Hey hun, I was just wondering how everything turned out for you as I find myself in a similar situation x