Success stories and advice of alcohol consumption during unknown pregnancy

[FuzzMonkey]

Hello,

It's taken me a while to build up the courage to post here but I'm feeling very stressed, guilty and upset and wanted advice and support from anyone who's been in a similar situation. This is the first time I've posted but have been on for a while.

I'm 28 years old, 26 weeks pregnant and had been on the pill for 15 years (different types but most latterly the mini pill which meant no period).

Because of my no periods and long time on contraception (and the fact I'm a size 16 so didn't notice growth), I didn't know I was pregnant until 20 weeks. It was a huge shock but a very welcome surprise.

However, up until I found out, I had been drinking. Not every day but way more than I should have as a pregnant woman.

This is what I can remember consuming during the 20 weeks:

• 1 bottle of wine (in an evening) at 20 weeks (a day or so before I found out)
• 3/4 glasses of gin (at a gin tasting event) at around 19 weeks
• 1 bottle of wine (in an evening) at 17 weeks
• a few mixed drinks (wine and spirit) at a party at 15 weeks
• 1 bottle of wine (in an evening) at 14 weeks
• a few drinks here and there over the festive period so would have been between 6 and 8 weeks

Other than that, I've taken a few prescribed sleeping tablets now and again but am generally healthy, eat loads of fruit and veg, take vitamins and a smoothie daily and exercise through walking and yoga.

I am so cut up about the thought of consuming this much and the damage that drinking may have done. I'm struggling to focus and feel guilty and very upset.

I spoke to the midwife and doctor as soon as I found out and while the scans and tests have come back fine, it's simply a waiting game at this stage. In the past few weeks, I've started to feel the baby move which has brought it all home.

I guess what I'm looking for is some moral support and success stories of anyone who's consumed more than the recommended alcohol intake when pregnant. From the moment I found out I'm pregnant, I haven't taken a drink and won't throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.

Thanks for reading. X

In hindsight, I was also taking sleeping tablets fairly regularly. I've done so much research on this but there's very limited information on the effects. Just still feeling guilty, I guess.

I can feel my little babe wriggle and move now and just hope it's all OK

@FuzzMonkey hi I just joined th s thread and I wanted to find out how are you doing? Have you had your baby yet?

I recently found out I'm pregnant and I'm in a similar situation

My mum didn't know she was pregnant with me until about 22 weeks, so she smoke and drank VERY heavily.. and continued to do so more modestly as this was during a time when it was OKAY to drink a bit in pregnancy. All that happened was I was born weighing in at only 5lb4; quite underweight.

Even if this wasn't a genuine accident and you drank heavily regardless of knowing, there's nothing you can do now to change it and as long as you make your midwife fully aware of this they can monitor you more closely during the pregnancy and labour. Feeling guilty about something you didn't do intentionally will not help and only cause added stress, so I'd advise talking to your midwife; she can help put your mind at rest.

There's nothing you can do now to change what's happened and I'd say the fact you didn't lose your baby is a very good sign, just be proud of yourself for not drinking now you know, and focus on keeping healthy for your little one :)

@FuzzMonkey how did everything turn out ? I have a friend in a similar situation . We are looking for some help and experiences.

I wouldn’t worry to be honest. It’s not like you were going out and getting slaughtered every night. Based on what you have said, i wouldn’t worry.

@thetruthisoutthere89 Hhow did you get on

Found out I was pregnant on the Monday
had him Saturday
id drank,smoked,eaten ‘bad’ foods and been on at least 15-20 rollercoasters
hes 22 and 100% fine

im sure your baby will be too-try not to worry

I was doing tequila shots the night before I found out I was pregnant. Of course I stopped straight away, but DD is absolutely fine and perfect and beautiful. Congratulations OP!

Hello I know this thread it from years ago but I am in the same situation now, how did your baby turn out?

10 years ago, when we were at uni my best friend didn’t realise she was pregnant until gone 20weeks, and we partied hard.

My godson came out absolutely fine and is an amazing boy with no issues.

@FuzzMonkey could you please give us an update on how your baby turned out?

Hi everyone,

i’m sure everyone has seen these posts and I’m repeating what others have seen but I wondered if anyone had any more specific answers.

I miscarried in early December, I was so heartbroken about it, I went through a really dark time for around a month and then I started to feel better and chatted with my OH about the fact I didn’t want to try again for a long time (I was thinking a few years).

I have recently found out I am pregnant but I didn’t have a period in between the loss which naively I didn’t think I could get pregnant without having a full cycle. I feel silly I didn’t realise I would ovulate.

my fear is this I have had one very crazy night out where a lot of units were consumed, I am still waiting dating scan in 3 weeks but by my calculations (using online advise) the night happened when I was about 9 weeks. This wasn’t just a few drinks it was a lot I was very drunk.

needless to say when I found out I was pregnant this night came flooding back and now I’m absolutely petrified. Not only have I got the fears of miscarriage out of my control but now I am so scared of what damage may have been done.

the FAS articles online are very confusing, some say one session of binge drinking, some say prolonged and sustained, I have found a few that say 7 to 12 weeks is the worst time to drink heavily. This has been a one time situation and I haven’t drank one drink barring this night. I don’t drink alcohol in the house and haven’t out since Christmas.

I am so scared if anyone can give anymore info on FAS or anything that may make me feel any better I would really appreciate it I want to enjoy my pregnancy but I am just in a panic all the time.

thank you

a family member didn’t find out until 6 month’s pregnant. They’d been out clubbing, drinking every weekend smoking every day. The baby was absolutely fine, born 9lb10 and is now a perfectly healthy teenager.