Alcohol during days 18-23 post-fertilization

[Dree111]

I am not proud of this, but I need some advice. Did anyone drink heavily during any of days 18-23 post fertilization? This would be around 5w0d pregnant. I binge drank on day 20 because I was not yet aware I was pregnant. I have read several studies involving mice and macaques that show a correlation between fetal alcohol syndrome facial deformities and brain development when high doses of alcohol were given during this time period. I am extremely worried. I would love some anecdotal stories, if you have them. I am particularly interested in this time period of alcohol consumption. Thank you for your help!

As long as you have stopped drinking now, I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm pretty sure the majority of pregnancies occur at times of intoxication

I think it becomes more of a risk to the foetus the further along you are, try not to worry.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be along to reassure you soon.

I really really wouldn't worry. I was on holiday with DH around that time with DS1 and drank the heaviest I'd drunk in my life. Came back, peed on stick, thought "oops", and was teetotal for rest of pregnancy. DS very healthy weight at birth and bright bouncy 2 year old now. As pp said, as long as you've stopped now I would think it will be fine. I understand foetal alcohol syndrome would be as a result of sustained heavy drinking throughout a pregnancy?

PP- possibly. I mean, It seems like the majority of instances I've heard about, that is the case. However, I've also read a few (not a lot) stories of women who say they binged two times before they knew, and their child is now suffering from FAS. Could be they are lying, I guess, or maybe there is somethig to the studies I mentioned above. I know we don't know much it seems about FAS, and possibly if your nutrition is good, you are less likely to suffer the consequences. Who knows. Thanks for your story, though. Any similar story with a happy ending makes me feel so much better.

The baby doesn't share your blood supply until the placenta takes over, usually around 8/9 weeks. Plus after watching a documentary on FAS they said it was usually down to continued heavy drinking . I had been at a party two days before I found out, happily doing shots and completely oblivious. It's fairly common in that two week wait if not aware of any possibility of pregnancy, I'd also just come back from holiday where we drank daily. My DD is now 18 months and has a good temperament and reaching all her milestones so far. If you're really worried mention it to your midwife.

I don't kow exact dates bit I didn't find out I was pregnant till 8-9 weeks and went away with my sister for a very boozy weekend when I was around 5 weeks. DC2 was born on Friday and is absolutely perfect. Early days I realise but no different to DC1 when she was newborn and I did know I was pregnant with her from very early on. Lots and lots of people don't know their pregnant for a couple of weeks so it's very common to have a drink in the early days.

In Expecting Better (great book - get it) it explains that within the first few weeks (up to week 5 or 6) the effect of alcohol is all or nothing - either you lose the baby (often before you know you're pregnant) or it's totally unaffected.

However, I've also read a few (not a lot) stories of women who say they binged two times before they knew, and their child is now suffering from FAS

If they are FAS, they binged a lot more than that. It takes a lot of alcohol to cause FAS, even 2 thirds of the worst alcoholics have babies without it.

I didn't know I was pregnant with DS until I was somewhere between 5-6 weeks, and had been drinking regularly up until finding out, including a night out with cocktails at about 5-ish weeks. I stopped as soon as I knew I was pregnant, and spoke to the doctor and midwife about it (as I was worried), who both reassured me it would be fine.

DS is 5 now and doing well at school - he enjoys it, he's above average in reading and is achieving well socially and academically in all other areas. He's always had good language skills for his age. Sorry for the brag but hope it reassures you!