Has anyone binge drank AFTER they missed a period (didn't know preg)? How was baby?

[clairemonde]

Hi, i just worked out that i got completely off my trolly when i was 5 weeks from my period, i didn't think i was pregnant because i was on the pill. We are talking about a 1/4 of one of those half bottles of rum, i swigged it back all in one go. We were having a pirates night...
Basically, this is my first child and i'm really scared i've damaged it. I have a lot of guilt because of various things i've done in my life and i'm thinking 'i have done it again' messed things up AGAIN. Well i tell you what, i can't take anymore, i can't, that will be the last nail in the bloody coffin i swear, i'm depressed already. I've given up so much to have this baby in terms of job security etc and it was SO wanted. If there is something wrong with it i will not be able to NOT attribute it to the alcohol now! Can you understand what i mean? I'm not being cold and callous, i'm just fed up of moping up after my own mistakes and impulsivity that i really sometimes just don't want to be here anymore...

The doctor told me there is a risk at that stage of FAS and neurodevelopmental problems, it's a window of a few days, and i might have been unlucky. He said 'don't worry' BUT he wouldn't let me see his screen, and when i peaked it said 'significant teratogen risk from single binge drinking episode!' the lying man! He was concerned enough to send me a letter about what to do to prevent 'developmental problems'.

My morning sickness didn't kick in until a week later for goodness sake! It's not fair! What is the point of morning sickness if it doesn't stop you drinking at such a crucial stage?

It's not to late to have an abortion at 12 weeks is it?

My husband is very, very angry at me. (he doesn't drink because he lacks the enzyme to metabolise alcohol = more potential damage to foetus!) and he wants us to 'try again'. I never drink usually either, it was just the social pressure! I don't smoke. i take vitamins, and i'm just screwed....as usual.

I feel like this is karma. I'm not lucky. And NO i don't need counselling, i am already classified as depressed, but i'm not taking antidepressents because of the risk to the foetus. Haha.

Message withdrawn

That's actually NOT very much alcohol, in the grand scheme of things. It's certainly not binge drinking. Do you live in IOWA? I got wasted before I knew I was pregnant with ds2, he's absolutely fine.

You drank 1/8 of a litre - 125 ml of rum - this is five single shots. It's NOT a lot.

Oh yes, obviously don't do it again, but you really will be fine and I'm sure your baby will too!

I rarely go out drinking but my dad jokes that I go out and end up pregnant. In fact I'm pregnant before but my going out always seems to coincide with me being pregnant and not knowing. I guess its to do with timing and me getting some time to myself.
My babies have been fine. dd was prem but it was unrelated.

I had my hen night a week before I found out I was expecting DS1 and he is now a very noisy happy and healthy 21 month old. I too was worried and my GP and MW said that he would be fine which he is.

The GP and MW said the problem with alcohol is substained constant drinking for example drinking everyday or binge drinking every weekend.

Your doctor seems to be quite wrong to tell you that. I drank a hell of alot more than a 1/4 of a bottle of rum believe you me.

Would your DH be this angry about you drinking that rum if you weren't pg? Because you didn't know so I don't think he is being very fair on you.

I drank 2 bottles of wine and smoked loads when around 8 weeks pregnant once. It was fine. Have a friend who dranks loads until she found out she was pregnant at 5 months! You'll be fine.

you may find this thread useful, the poster seems to be in a very similar position to yourself:-

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=pregnancy&threadid=657926-Binge-drank-before-i-knew-i-was-pregnant-i-th ought#13384776

An 1/8th of a bottle of rum is about 4 pub measures, max.

I absolutely wouldn't worry - risk is infinitesimal.

Yes, I suppose you might be unlucky, but statistically, that amount of booze is not something to worry over.

I did this. My GP said don't worry, everyone does it.

(And didn't someone post recently that until there's a placenta the alcohol doesn't reach the baby anyway??)

I got absolutely hammered when I was 6 weeks pregnant with DS. We were round at a friends for Christmas Eve, drinking games etc. I even made a cocktail out of all the spirits in the drinks cupboard and necked it (a forfeit) When I found out I was pregnant I was mortified.

DS is now 4. He is gorgeous and funny and clever and completely, completely normal.

Please don't worry. Take your folic acid, stay well nourished, this is not karma, or your fault, the chance of foetal damage is absolutely tiny. Your husband is maybe just scared and projecting this into anger?

Do not have an abortion just because of a single episode of drinking.

Good luck, (I hate to tell you, though, that the guilt thing is just a part of pregnancy and motherhood )

When I fell pregant with DD I went out with (old) colleagues and drunk about 8 pints of guiness and DD is fine (must have been 3-4 weeks BUT didnt know I was pregnant) That is a lot, 5-6 shots of rum is not a lot

I drank an entire bottle of port when newly PG with DD1 who is a bright and happy 3 year old. I'm not proud and didn't know I was pregnant but I hope it makes you feel better. Try not to worry.

I do know lots of people who have had a drink before they realised they were pregnant. Try to work out how many units 1/4 of a half bottle of rum is. I fyou took it all in one swig, was it really that much? Remember also that your baby may not be perfect anyway and this may noy be because of alcohol. You said you were also taking the pill. In saying that, were you trying to fall pregnant because altough you say you were on the pill, you say this baby was so wanted and that you have given up a lot for it. Already?

Yes, I did and I know loads of people who didn;t know they were pg and were drinking. You are only talking about 1 episode.

You obviously care - give yourself and your baby a chance. You can do it! Your baby deserves a caring Mum!

I did this with both of my DD's. (not on purpose obv).In fact I found out I was pregnant with DD1 after I realised that a hangover doesnt normally last a week and that it may possibly be something else

Both DD's are fine.Im sure this must happen to lots of people.Please try not to worry too much.

I am currently pregnant - baby was concieved despite the morning after pill. I had no idea I was pregnant so went out a week after I must have fallen pregnant - had lots of mojitos and a bottle of champagne.

All scans have been normal and I am not worried. (Obviously when I found out I was preg I started looking after myself and baby).

The picture of me in my profile shows me with a huge glass of Pimms at the beginning of my pregnancy. I got very, very drunk that night. I also got rather drunk a few weeks after that, still unaware of the pregnancy. I'm now 23+4 & have a very wriggly baby who is perfectly normal looking at all of the scans, etc. I'm not even slightly worried about it, to be honest - lots of people do it.

& think about all of the women who never find out that they're pregnant until they're in labour & end up with healthy babies despite drinking / smoking / who knows what else.

My sister went on a girly holiday to Ayia Napa and was drunk pretty much 2 weeks straight. Also went bungee jumping she was about 10 weeks but didn't know - DN is a perfect 6 year old now thank goodness!

friend of mine did exactly what you did and her dd has just got 10 a and a* gcse's.

stop beating yourself up, and stop letting your husband be furious with you (which is another form of you beating yourself up). You didn't know you were pregnant, you didn't do it on purpose, it wasn't that much booze anyway.

If you really can't stand it then bite the bullet, have a termination, and have another go.

But if I may be so bold, I suggest you consider your closing remark 'i'm just screwed...as usual'. That is a very sad thing to say about yourself.

I didn't find out that I was pregnant with DD until I was 8 weeks. Didn't have any morning sickness and was very stressed with work and moving house, so didn't notice that I'd missed a period.

Between getting pregnant and finding out, I had three big nights out with lots to drink.

I worried that I might have damaged my baby, but am now proud mum to a very healthy, happy two year old.

Please try not to worry too much about it.

I just know the sacrifices i'll have to make in my life, i have a hectic career (which makes me quite depressed because it involves seeing a lot of heartache and suffering) but this i am happy to do for the baby, go part time etc.

It wasn't planned, but i had a termination in a previous relationship when i was much younger and I have a lot of guilt from that and i do still think about it a lot. I'm just scared, and so is DH, but thank you all for being so lovely and wonderful and helpful! I do feel like i can perhaps relax a little bit now. We only plan on having one child and this childbearing business is such a gamble isn't it? Even without the alcohol! I'm not exactly for designer babies but i can definitly see the appeal. Hopefully everything will be healthy when i have my first scan.

I'm hoping it is a girl; they are hardier in the womb apparantly.

I just read that 40% of british teens binge drink when they know they are pregnant - i'm quite sure there are not that many alcohol damaged babies being born so i shall take a few moments to breathe deeply and meditate...

Don't worry. I got hammered every weekend before I knew I was pg with DS. Vodka, wine, cider, spirits, the lot. Wine - I'm talking 9 or 10 glasses in a night out in smoky pubs and clubs.

DS is top stream in everything at school and is predicted As in all his A-levels.

Interestingly, he is 17 and hates the taste of anything with alcohol (unusual teenager).

Oh and your DH is very unreasonable to be 'very, very angry'. Cheeky bugger.