Accidentally drank alcohol - desperate for reassurance

[Pinkandwhite]

I'm 8 + 4 weeks pregnant. I was out for a meal with and I ordered a non alcoholic cocktail of grapefruit juice and soda water. Several gulps in I suddenly realised that it tasted alcoholic so I asked the waitress who went to check and confirmed that a mistake had been made. The barman had used sparkling wine rather than sparkling water. I'm so upset and annoyed with myself for a) ordering a non alcoholic cocktail and b) not realising sooner.

Please can someone reassure me that a very small amount of alcohol isn't a problem? I'm feeling miserable.

not a problem

Honestly, its no problem. dont worry about it. In about 10 weeks you will be gagging for a drink and suddenly 1 a week seems fine!

You will be absolutely fine! Please don't worry

I certainly hope not! I've been having the odd glass (one every other week) of wine during my pregnancy. I'm 37 weeks now, my midwife told me as long as you're not binge drinking every weekend it won't affect the baby

You'll be fine!! Lots of us have drunk alcohol before knowing we were pregnant. I got drunk and smoked thinking the cramps I had with DS1 meant we hadn't conceived that month - and with DS2 we were supposed to be having a month off TTC so I had a big night out and ate the rarest steak I've had in my life.

One alcoholic drink will do no harm at all I'm sure

Get a grip

I can't say anything more helpful other than wtf! You had a couple of sips of a sparkly wine that was watered down with juice. Maybe this will help absorb some of that alcohol

Seven years ago I drank my very body weight in very alcoholic cocktails and put my sore norks and grumpiness down to PMT. 4 days later I was clutching a very positive pregnancy test . All was well and he's a great huge boy now. Seriously, don't worry. I felt dreadful and so guilty but all my friends and my GP when I went to get referred to the midwives, were very reassuring. Congratulations!

Thanks so much everyone! I know I'm being ridiculous but I just needed some other people to tell me that! I used to be quite a rational person before I was pregnant...

It's not a problem.

I pretty much pickled Ds1 the weekend before I did a pregnancy test then pickled myself in guilt.

He's now 21, 6 ft 3 and on course for a 1st at uni

I was pissed and almost incapable the night we conceived i also enjoyed a nice glass of red with dinner with friends in the 3rd trimester and a crisp cold half of cider on a hot August day

While anecdotes are not evidence, my 14mo is currently sleeping soundly in his cot upstairs with no health issues. My gran was told to drink Guinness for the iron in pregnancy and while breastfeeding and has 3 healthy dc in their 60s, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A bottle of wine a night will do damage. A glass every so often will just make you worry. A couple of sips of diluted bubbly won't even hit the blood stream!

It's fine. I got hammered when pregnant with ds before I knew I was pregnant. Fas isn't caused by the odd tipple

As my boss said "oh give over, it's a glass of champagne not a bottle. The no alcohol thing is for stupid people who would think a bottle of wine is ok" he's a dr and told me this when I was 25 weeks pregnant with my first. I'm now on my third and everyone is fine :)

Thanks v v much again for your replies. I hope I become a little more rational once I'm in the second trimester!

My GP said 'oh for goodness sake, how do you think most pregnancies occur?' when I rushed to her in a panic about somewhat more extreme alcohol intake than your few sips of diluted sparkling wine!

You are completely normal!

Of course it isn't a problem. Goodness, it was less than a unit as a one off by the sound of it.

You'll be fine. Im fairly certain I read that one or 2 units a week wont do any harm. I couldn't have made it through this PG without the odd drink!
When I had DS and DD years and years ago, you were still recommended to drink stout or Guinness! I had a small port and lemon most nights in order to help me sleep! She is currently one of the brighter members of the family!

Just had a few sips of a margarita and it was lush... 18 weeks here and been enjoying the odd glass of wine here and there.

Listen to these clever ladies, you'll be fine.

Worrying about the mistake in the restaurant though... If they are accidentally getting alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks mixed up, what's to stop one going out to someone under age?

Damn you OP! I want a drink now!

It was a bad mistake by the restaurant but really not something you should be concerned about. FAS needs a LOT more alcohol than that. You really are worrying unnecessarily.

Yes, it is a worrying mistake. Mostly for me because they could have served alcohol to a recovering alcoholic or someone with religious reasons for not drinking.

You're all making me feel so much better, thank you!

Mintberry - I know it is a bit worrying. They didn't even have an alcoholic cocktail on the menu that was similar. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake.

Saggy - so sorry for making you want a drink! Good point about the old advice to drink Guinness.