alcohol, drugs and conception

[kpk]

hi I have just found out I'm nearly 6 weeks pregnant (1st time), unexpected but great news BUT in the last few weeks I've been out drinking fairly heavily about 4 times and have also had a few lines of coke and now I feel stupid and careless but also very worried I have already done damage. Not Looking for sympathy as obviously it's my own fault but has anyone got any advice or thoughts on this. I guess I just have to move on and not worry but can't get it out of my mind

Obviously it wasn't advisable but what is done is done. I would hazard a guess that this sort of thing happens fairly often, especially with unplanned pregnancies and that the majority of babies are fine.

You are bound to worry but try to put it behind you, its not like you are going to be doing this sort of thing for a loooooooong time now.

I think that drinking in early pregnancy is more common than we realize, however the drugs would worry me more tbh. It may be worth speaking to a gp/mw and trying to get an early scan to see if baby is developing normally, although be prepared to be judged if you are a regular user of a class A drug.

On that point, how regularly do you use? Is this something that is a problem for you? are you going to be able to give up for the duration of your pregnancy? because if not it is vital you get some help. Babies born to parents who have regularly used during pregnancy are generally underweight, and have a lot of health problems.

Hi there. Please don't torture yourself. I think the main risk with coke in early pg is that of miscarriage, though I'm not a medic. Have you got a sympathetic GP - maybe confide in him/her? Lots of children must have been conceived with oceans of booze involved, too. Good luck, I hope you feel better.

kpk - I really wouldn't worry. I'm sure similar situations to yours happen more often than you'd think. Whilst it's not advisable to do lines of coke all the way through your pregnancy, as I'm sure you know, a few lines before you knew you were pregnant won't have done any harm to your baby.

wannabe1974 - the fact that kpk has posted about her fears and has said she feels "stupid and careless", which shows in itself that she's not planning to be a "regular user" throughout her pregnancy. You clearly have some assumptions about people who use recreational drugs but to be honest, they're not particularly helpful here.

Had given up trying to conceive when i got pg with DS...he was conceived on a v. stoned and drunk holiday and i carried on smoking dope and boozing regularly until i found i was pg at aprox 7 weeks.

I did ask mw as felt like you and was reassured that it was unlikely to have an effect...in the very early weeks the palcenta isnt fully formed and feeding the baby yet anyway...

My DS (now 11 mths) is perfect by the way...i'm sure yours will be too...tis easy to say but try not to worry!

Maybe you should try some diversionary tactics such as obsessing about which pram to buy or suchlike...

Think as has already been said that the most likely effect would have been an m/c from coke. As you now know and have stopped alc and drugs (and are living a healthy lifestyle?) I think the chances are you'll be fine.

A friend of mine took an e before she found out she was pregnant. She admitted this at the scan and got put on drug risk / dependancy list thingie, so unless you're really worried you may not want to mention it.

Maybe you should wait and see how your 12 week scan goes (or go for an earlier scan if you're really worried) and make a decision on that.

Think it is much more common than people think. In fact, most of the people I know have conceived their babies on VERY hedonistic nights involving all sorts.

Honestly, try not to worry too much.

KPK I am 15 weeks now and before I found out I was boozing heavily most days, it was the end of summer and there were festivals and Es and coke and copius amounts of wine every weekend until I found out at 8 weeks. I also took malaria tablets and had an Xray! So just about everything you shouldnt do. I have spent SO much time worrying that I got to the point where I had to have a serious word with myself. I just had my first scan and it was so amazing, baby looked great and wriggled all over the place and it just changed everything. The amount of friends Ive spoken to who lived normal lives before they found out and went on to have perfect babies, honestly, its so reassuring to hear that from people. I think the way to look at it is if you have done serious damage the fetus wont be 'viable' and you may end up miscarrying. Hold tight and dont beat yourself up. I know thats easier said than done, believe me. Good luck and congratulations! Now you have your morning sickness to look forward to!

(with apologies for a long post)

this is actually my field of research, although admittedly i work primarily with heavy users of Class A drugs who are pregnant and parenting. I can tell you that your few lines of cocaine will not have a significant effect on the development of your fetus. it does NOT cause deformities, and the research on mental development has yet to show any long-term effects (they have studied exposed children up to 7 years of age) longer term use of cocaine is likely to lead to low birth weight - which has been shown, in itself, to cause problems later in life, but that's the effect of the low birth weight and not the cocaine directly, if you see the difference.

Alcohol, in large quantities can be harmful, but the effects are generally mitigated by good maternal nutrition (i.e. - if you are well nourished prior to and during your pregnancy).

the absolute best things you can do for your pregnancy are to get good regular prenatal care, and to eat healthfully, as these 2 things seem to be the primary drivers of good birth outcomes for all women.

all that said - i am not advocating alcohol and drug use in pregnancy primarily because their use (i'm talking heavy use for alcohol) makes it less likely that you will eat well and generally take care of yourself.

feel free to email me off list if you need more resources.

And anyone should feel free to email me if they feel like sharing their experiences of recreational drug use and pregnancy/parenting (but that's just my researcher genes kicking in).

cheers! (from a fellow first-trimester-er)

custardthedragon

my god where have you been for the last 6 weeks while Ive been worrying myself silly! Thanks so much for your post. While Ive been given advice and other mums have shared their experiences with regards to these issues, Ive never read anything except worrying bad judgemental stuff online. Great to read another informed point of view. Thanks again pxx

Hi KPK
Just another voice of reassurance!
I didn;t know until week 9/10!
I had been drinking and going to gigs (even got puched in the stomsch at one)
Didn't take drugs but know people who did but did have prescription meds and immunisations!
Whats done is done don't worry about it! (thats probably mor likely to do damage than the drink and drugs!)
talk to your midwife about it tho, I'm sure they can reassure you!
BTW Everyone I know who were in similar situations all had beautiful healthy babes!

redkennedy -
glad i could be of help. it's good to know all those years of grad school aren't being wasted.

CustardTD...thanks for that post, as RK says tis a refreshing change to read something about drug use and pregnancy that isn't judgemental.

I could definitely be described as 'well nourished'!! must explain why i have a healthy LO now!

KPK with regards to speaking to the w/f about it, Im inclined to agree with JuicyLucy - a good friend of mine told her m/w that she had indulged before she had realised she was with child - m/w didnt have any extra re-assurance for her and re-iterated what we have all said ie whats done is done, but the fact is it went on her pregnancy notes in red pen and she said she felt like a junkie everytime a new Dr or M/w picked up her notes. Its not the first time I had heard that story, so I chose not to tell my m/w. I did tell her that I had had jabs and taken malaria tabs and had drank heavily and her answer was the stock same ' whats done is done'. Im relieved now as at least 5 other medics have read my notes since my first scan (in only 2 weeks) and lets just say Im sure they werent that open minded and the last thing you need is someone looking down their nose at you when youre already beating youself up about having had a 'bit of fun' before you even knew.
Phew. that was a long one xx

By the way - you GO lazyemma! with you 100%!! Was rather shocked to read that post too
px

How I wish I had read this post a year ago.... Custard whats your email?

having just got a bfp this morning and kpk in exactly the same situation as you, this thread is very reassuring indeed...! x

Longlegs - it's [email protected] - i look forward to chatting with you. (and anyone else who wants to email their stories/thoughts)

and a quick note re: talking to midwives. if you live in Liverpool, Glasgow or Manchester there are some Fabbulous programs run by extremely supportive midwives. again, they are predominantly for heavier users of drugs and alcohol in pregnancy, but you can always give them a call for some helpful, non-judgemental, advice and support. i'll post some phone numbers later as i've got to call my GP now.

developed THE most annoying whooshing sound in my ears and it's either another weird pregnancy thing, or i have a brain tumor. (or too much earwax)

I had the same thing! Went on a huge bender of a night, and found out the following week. I beat myself up about it the whole way throught the pregnancy. DIdn't tell the m/w as Iknew it could not be undone, and did not want it on my records.
Have a GORGEOUS 5 month old boy now,

Congratulations, btw

pregnancy brain has made me forgetful and stupid - here are the phone numbers i promised. i got them from trawling through websites - so if they are incorrect (ie - not the right people to speak to) please forgive me. and ask them who you should call. also - you generally want to talk to the 'drug liason midwife' the numbers here are either for the service itself, or for a hospital that provides such a service.

HTH

Drug Liaison Midwife
Forth Park Hospital, Bennochy Road
KIRKCALDY KY2 5RA
Tel: 01592 643355

Princess Royal Maternity Hospital
0141 2115400

Liverpool Women's
Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS · Tel: (0151) 708 9988

Manchester Specialist Midwifery Service
0161 226 6669

and one more quick thing - just to clarify.... I'm not a doctor. i'm a medical anthropologist who works in the field of drug use (mainly Class A) and motherhood. i just don't want anything i've said here to be construed as expert medical opinion or specific advice on what you should do in your pregnancy.

this comes after reading through the rather heated (and often mean and upsetting) posts on the 'no alcohol in pregnacy' thread and spending the night worrying that someone would come back to me and say - 'you said i could do XYZ and now my baby has [insert condition here]'

I'm sure no-one would do that, custard. There's so much pompous moralising surrounding pregnancy and a lot of unhelpful half-truths. What's important - as has been said before - is that people are sufficiently informed to make their own choices, and perspectives like yours help them do that.

Custard, don't worry - your post is the only one I've read on the subject that appears to be written with the benefit of actual scientific evidence. For which I thank you.

I am so glad I found this discussion board. I did md and coke last weekend and just found out I’m 4 weeks pregnant. I am worried sick that I have done some harm. Thank you everyone this has made me feel much better

How did everything turn out for everone?? Xx

I know of someone who did exactly the same and her baby was absolutely fine (if it gives uou some comfort). Now you know, you know to stop and remember that there are women who don't know they're pregnant till they go into labour so drink, smoke, whatever throughout.