Serious drinking up to week 6 of pregnancy.

[rlcampbell]

Hi everyone. As much as I try to tell myself not to worry, I really cannot seem to help it. I am utterly freaking out.

I found out that I was pregnant on the morning of New Years Eve. The test said that I was 3+ weeks pregnant. I have worked it out that at this time I was most likely 4 weeks post conception so 6 weeks pregnant.

It was wholeheartedly unplanned and my doctors think may have been due to antibiotics I was administered on holiday - wasn't advised of any adverse effects on the pill.

I have no serious concerns about the first two weeks post conception - that is weeks 3-4 as it seems the baby has it's own little sack of nourishment. There wasn't a significant amount of alcohol consumed then anyway. However, between weeks 5 and 6 I had been doing some serious Christmas partying. On 20th December (end of week 5) was my work night out. On Christmas eve I had a very drunken night in my hometown pub. On Saturday 28th we had a family gathering - so drunk on this occasion that I was sick the next day. I would say that I had at least two bottles of wine on each occasion. On most of the days in between I probably had at least a glass or two of wine as well. I obviously stopped drinking as soon as I discovered on 31st.

The most torturous thing about this is, if I'd become pregnant at any other time of year, my consumption would be nowhere near this high.

I told my midwife about these three incidents. She was not reassuring. She just said that any damage is irreversible and there was nothing that could be done now.

I am terrified. Has anyone else been through similar torment?

Rx

My friend didn't find out she was pregnant until she was just under 12 weeks and in that time she'd done a lot of weekend drinking. One weekend included my wedding and she was absolutely trollied

She gave birth 6 weeks ago to a gorgeous and healthy little girl

What your midwife said is true but it's hardly reassuring and her manner doesn't seem the best......

Try not to worry, baby will no doubt be absolutely fine

Babies are really resilient - hopefully your next scan will reassure you a bit more. So try to distract yourself until then - maybe by trying to make sure you're the healthiest you can be from this point? do anything not to worry as that will probably be more harmful to you!

I was sure I was pregnant when I was in hospital 7mths ago, but the tests (in hospital) were negative and I got told I was 'being silly' at one point when they wanted to put me through a prolonged procedure that included significant amounts of x-rays. I gave in as they 'knew best'.

Turns out I was right! And I was pregnant. I'm now 8.5mths along and have been reassured by countless staff that their error wouldn't actually harm my baby as these things are just guidelines and they are over-cautious with them! Hmmmm...

I think your judgy midwife may have had that advise if it was her decision that had exposed you to the risks. She should be reassuring you, you didn't know, you've not done it on purpose and you didn't even realise you might have this to deal with.

Don't worry, just think of the amount if people who have fine the same before you and had perfectly healthy babies.

Good luck!

You've got nothing to worry about - I didn't find out I was pregnant until 13 weeks and I had done a few really silly things in that time - worse than drinking.

I disclosed everything to the MWs when I booked in and they said nothing to worry about - main risk would have been miscarriage and as long as I'm not doing it now then just move on and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Midwives aren't doctors. They have quite narrow bands of expertise, and some of them seem more than willing to happily spout shite that's not backed up by any evidence. If you're still concerned after all these posts, ask a doctor!

I had (my own) hen do prior to discovering I was pg-drank wine and smoked cigarettes like a good 'un. DD is fine. Maybe your mw felt duty bound to be disapproving (wrongly thinking you would carry on if not?!) although agree with pp that she should have been less judgy and more reassuring, given that so many women have been there

I will add, I also saw a private consultant ob/gyn who also said nothing to worry about (I was considering a termination)