BIG alcohol binge before knowing I was pregnant.

[Firsttimemum121]

When I was 3 weeks 5 days pregnant, I went on a crazy binge. I was on holiday and didn't know I was pregnant as it came as a surprise. I drank in one night, 1 cider, 1 shot, 6/7 vodka and cokes & 3 Sex on the beach. I haven't drank since finding out 2 days later (the day i missed my period) but cannot help but feel like I've caused damage, im now 24 weeks and it's driving me crazy. Ultrasounds have been fine so far, but ive read alot about FAS facial features and brain problems only detected at birth. Anyone drank this much and everything been ok? What is a likely outcome?

I think it is extremely unlikely you have caused any harm. You and the embryo wouldn't even share a blood supply at that stage.

I think most people have. I did not even find out until much later than you, I think risks of FAS are more enhanced by heavy drinking throughout pregnancy, not one night before placental circulation is even fully developed.

Please please don't worry about it. This is so common. I almost wonder if it's the bodies way of having one last good time before going without for 9 months plus. 

FAS tends to come from sustained chronic use throughout pregnancy. Try to focus on enjoying this time..

"In the first two weeks following fertilization, excessive alcohol consumption does not generally have a negative effect on the zygote and emerging blastocyst (pre-embryo). Maternal consumption of alcohol during this time can prevent proper implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus, resulting in an increased rate of resorption or early termination of the pregnancy, generally before a woman realizes she is pregnant. The potential for the cells in the blastocyst to become any cell lineage in the body generally confers protection against the negative effects that alcohol has on specific cellular populations."

That's from a reliable source.

I had the same with my eldest. I did a test before I went out because we were TTC. It was negative. I went out and got absolutely wasted at a party. No idea on quantities but enough to be throwing up the next morning. I had a two day hangover that turned out to be morning sickness! I got a positive test the next day.

That pregnancy passed fine (labour and birth was another issue!) and eldest is now 5YO. He's absolutely fine.

I did feel bad about it whilst pregnant, but if you don't know you're pregnant what can you do?! The most important thing is cutting back once you do know.

I drank more. On more than one occasion

And I was further along than you! But still didn't know I was pregnant.

Knocked drinking on the head the day I found out I was pregnant, and DD is now a happy, healthy 4yr old!

I'm sure everything will be ok so try not to worry. Wishing you well during your pregnancy

Don't worry. I went to Amsterdam when pregnant (before knowing - contraceptive fail and surprise baby) and very much, ahem, indulged on all that was on offer

Freaked out when I found out. Family friend who is a very experienced O&G consultant was not at all concerned (for reasons PP have written above)

DS is very healthy!

ive read that before too. i just can't help but worry about it still. thank you for the reply

I'm praying all will be okay, just can't help but think the worst but it is reassuring to hear that im not the only one it's happened too. thank you all for the replies, it just scares me that it was so near to the end of the week 4 too.

When I was about 4 weeks pregnant I went on a hen weekend, absolutely no idea I was pregnant (we had been trying for over a year so I thought the chances were next to none). I drank far, far more than you have outlined above.
DD1 is now 5, healthy and happy and thriving!

My friend didn’t realise she was pregnant until she was 34 weeks gone. She’d been binging every weekend. Baby was absolutely fine!

ah it defo is reassuring to hear others have been in a similar situation and all has turned out ok. does anyone know if the embryo has a blood supply at 4/5 weeks if the placenta hasn't formed?

I was on my honeymoon went ziplining, bungee jumping, on rollercoasters, drank a shit load more than what you've mentioned EVERY night for 2 weeks to then come home and find out we were nearly 5 weeks pregnant.

Everything is absolutly fine.

I imagine it happens to A LOT of woman. Don't give yourself a hard time 😊

And congratulations!!!!!

I was disgustingly hungover after a really heavy 3 days weekend when I found I was 5 weeks pregnant. It happens to a lot of people, don't worry also foetal alcohol syndrome is only seen in alcoholics - we're talking sustained bingeing over the entire pregnancy.

I took 3 negative pregnancy tests in the week before my hen weekend. I went on my hen weekend and drank solidly for 3 days. There's pictures of me downing prosecco by the bottle in a hot tub (talk about pregnancy no No!) I had every type of alcohol you can imagine over 3 days. On the Monday...positive pregnancy test. You'll be fine lovely xx

Should probably of added...my son was and is very healthy, this was almost 3 years ago xx

I’ve done the same as most on here it seems, was TTC took a test before a hen weekend BFN, got wasted, still no period so took another test a week later BFP. Was pregnant at the hen. DS is now 2 and absolutely perfect! I did mention it to my midwife at booking and she said it was very common! Try not to worry.

This happened to me, I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was 8 weeks and had been on lots of nights out. My DD is 7 now and absolutely perfect.

Adding my voice, my unplanned pregnancy during which I got wasted in the first 5 weeks is 14.5 at a superselective grammar school, sporty, clever, beautiful and the apple of my eye. You will both be fine

2 days before I found out I was pregnant with this baby I drank 2 bottles of wine and some gin ! I'd done a test the day before and it was negative so assumed my period was just late as was 7 days late by then but on the tuesday i did another test and it was positive, I wouldn't worry to much if the scans are showing ok try not to worry

One incident of getting sloshed within a matter of days of conception isn’t going to give your child FAS. It’s not even a given that children of alcoholics who drink throughout pregnancy get it!

thank you all, im glad I'm not the only one !!!!

Another one who has done the same, but drank more than you have. Dd is now 9 and wonderful.

So is all this mullarkey about not drinking in pregnancy ANOTHER way to control women or what?

I know it is not good to get trollied every day or anything, but anything less than absolute abstention is just not good enough now is it?

You will be fine OP as many others have testified. Best of luck and congratulations.

So glad to find this thread. I did the same OP - went on a complete bender before I missed my period (I now realise about a week and a half after I conceived). I’m now 5 weeks and 1 day and terrified I’ve done some damage. Thank you all for posting. I feel much better having read this.

Best of luck OP.