In Agony - Did Anyone Else Binge Drink Before They Knew?

[tsmith02162013]

I am absolutely out of my mind with grief and need advice from real moms. The doctors I have spoken to have been so dismissive of my concerns, but everything I have read (and ever fiber in my body) tells me that something is WRONG.

I did not know I was pregnant. At what we now know to be four weeks (exactly) into the pregnancy, I drank two bottles of wine BY MYSELF in one night, over 5 or 6 hours. I was not sick at all, and I had no problems the next day. So, I drank more the next day- 3 drinks. And then I drank again the next day- 4 drinks.

I realized I was supposed to start my period the day after that, and to just put my mind at ease, I took a pregnancy test, which was POSITIVE.

My doctors say that they don't have enough data on binge drinking in early pregnancy, but they think I am probably fine. I just want to know if there is ANYONE who has had as much to drink as I did at 4 weeks pregnant and then went on to have a healthy child. I am SO SCARED of having caused permanent brain damage to the baby, and I am seriously considering abortion because I feel like this is a hopeless situation.

When I found out I was pregnant with my son I was just over 1 month gone. In that month I had been out drinking a lot with friends (having no idea I might be pregnant) I also smoked at the time! The day I took my positive pregnancy test was the day I stopped drinking and smoking. I had a beautiful healthy little boy who is now 3 years old and very intelligent. The only problems I had was during pregnancy and that was with myself having a low platelet count meaning I was on standby for a blood transfusion during labour. Something I will apparently suffer from in every pregnancy.
Also my friend found out she was pregnant @1month also. In that time of not knowing she had her 21st birthday, Christmas and New year's eve worth of drinking! Finding out 2 weeks after...she has and amazing 5 year old girl and gone on to have a wonderful boy (2.5 year)
I think you will be fine hun. Loil after yourself and your bump and you will be fine xx

From what I have heard/read, the risk of drinking to your pregnancy is if you drink regularly and heavily for the 9 months. I really wouldn't worry! the first 10 weeks of your pregnancy are pretty much predetermined, regardless of what you do or don't do.

I take it now you are being healthy?

My doctor even told me to have a few drinks over Christmas! (i didn't because the smell turned my stomach) and I was 6-7 weeks preg!

Please don't panic or do anything you might regret later

I'm so glad I found this thread! I have been beating myself up for a drunken evening out (5 vodka and diet cokes) on 3 December with a work party and the fact that I was eating rubbish and smoking right up to the day that I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. I wasn't TTC, so couldn't have known any better.

I was also, unfortunately, put on some antibiotics that you are not advised to take if you are pregnant before I knew. Numerous people (GP, MW, OBGYN) have told me not to worry about any of this stuff and that a lot of 'medical' advice is really alarmist because: (i) not enough studies have been done because they cannot ask pregnant women to drink/take drugs as part of a study; and (ii) they want to frighten people who would otherwise be blase.

When my SIL found out she was pregnant, we realised that she had been pregnant over my birthday bender - 11am until approx 3am the next day. That then bunch of cells is now a thriving 7 year old little madam, and the pregnancy was trouble free. Don't beat yourself up!

I haven't read the whole thread but, before DS I had had trouble conceiving (been just in case abstinent for SIX months just in case) I was then diagnosed with a fertility problem that would take 12-18 months of treatment just to put me on an even keel with "normal people".

I was told all this Dec 2012 and I must admit I thought fuck it.... If I can't be pregnant I will be DRUNK....which I merrily continued over Xmas and new year. Jan 2013...BFP 3+ on digital. DS is fine but the wait was agony and I must admit searching his face for FAS landmarks when he was born.

Don't be so hard on yourself OP

Oh op I do feel for you the guilt is awful!

If it helps.. Ds1 was unplanned and the weekend before I found out I was pregnant I had had a heavy weekend of nights out with the girls. The night before my positive test I had started on sangria, moved on to wine then cocktails and ended up doing sambuca shots. I didn't touch a drop once I found out..

He is sleeping soundly in his bedroom and was absolutely fine!! Good luck

How is your daughter now? In same situation and freaking out.

I am in the same boat now and thinking about terminating.... I had 7 days of continuous drinking and smoking (sister's marriage) (2nd week) nd then 2 more episodes of binge (3rd and 4th week)..

I found out I was pregnant on a Tuesday at 4w + 3. That Saturday was my 30th birthday and I had:

• strong cocktails (probably at about 5/6)
• quadruple vodka lemonades (it was a gimmick thing at the club were in) x 4
• a couple of cigarettes

And before anyone says anything, we weren’t trying and were using condoms! The little suckers just found a way in!

ANYWAY!! I now have a very healthy, active little boy currently booting me in the bladder as I type this!

It’s totally natural to be scared but don’t be! Just hold off the booze, get your folic acid down you and carry on 😘

Xx

Hi @tsmith02162013 .. I know yours was an old post but I am in the same boat today and your response will mean a lot to me..just wanted to check with you whether you continued with the pregnancy and of yes, did you face any issue later on