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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Wracked with guilt over drinking alcohol

26 replies

sel2223 · 07/12/2019 20:59

My partner and I stopped using contraception in October and adopted an 'if it happens, it happens' attitude to trying for a baby. This is the first time for both of us and I was honestly expecting it to be quite a long process as i've got friends TTC so hadn't really made any changes to my lifestyle yet. We were just easing in slowly lol.

Anyway, last month we were on holiday and it just so happened to be the week I was ovulating. I was eating and drinking as normal all week and we just enjoyed ourselves without thinking about anything.

Fast forward 2 weeks and I go on my works Christmas do last Saturday where i drink copious amounts of prosecco and gin.

2 days later I realise my AF is a day late (It's normally regular as clockwork), my OH persuaded me to do a test and we were gobsmacked to get a BFP (then 2 more the following day and another the day after that!)

It's 5 weeks today since the first day of my last period and I find myself now wracked with guilt about drinking alcohol last weekend. I wouldn't have touched a drop if I'd known I was pregnant, now I'm worried it'll lead to problems down the line!

Can anyone help put my mind at rest?

OP posts:
Janaih · 07/12/2019 21:02

I don't think the placenta passes things on at this early stage. Sure someone will have a detailed explanation. Loads of women drink heavily before they find out they are pregnant. Relax, you'll be fine. Just make the best decisions you can from now on.

pettswoodmumof3 · 07/12/2019 21:02

Don’t worry at all! This has happened to so many of us. I think week 5 alcohol doesn’t pass yet anyway as the growing baby gets its nutrition from stores. I had similar with my first, she is definitely fine and doing very well academically.

pettswoodmumof3 · 07/12/2019 21:04

And congratulations! How exciting! Enjoy your lovely news.

Janaih · 07/12/2019 21:04

Purely anecdotally, I drank like a fish for first 3 months of my pregnancy (didn't know I was pregnant). Child was fine and is currently at university.

StraffeHendrik · 07/12/2019 21:05

The placenta won't have formed yet so the alcohol won't have got through to the baby. Just stop now obvs and start taking folic acid, it'll be fine.

ParkheadParadise · 07/12/2019 21:09

I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 5mths with dd2.
I was drinking alcohol as normal. We went on holiday to Cyprus and I was drinking every day.
You'll be fine.

PJ67 · 07/12/2019 21:10

Congratulations, this will be your first worry of many! You would only have been 2 weeks pregnant (4 weeks officially) and the placenta wouldn't have been developed enough to start passing nutrients to the baby so I'm sure everything will be fine.

Sux2buthen · 07/12/2019 21:12

I drank half a bottle of tequila (used to drink a lot but only for fun) and fainted which was unusual. That's how I found out I was pregnant the first time.
Congratulations 🥳

Janaih · 07/12/2019 21:15

@Sux2buthen me too! Barmaid took one look at me and said "you're pregnant"

Redcliff · 07/12/2019 21:17

I got completely bladdered in the first few weeks of my pregnancy (in my defense I had been trying for 7 years and had no clue I was pregnant) and was fine. Don't worry about it!

goingtoneedabiggercar · 07/12/2019 21:24

The apps I used while I was pregnant said the placenta takes over around 10 weeks and the early scans I had backed that up. No harm will have been done as your bean is living off the yolk sack which isn't connected to your blood supply. Best way to reassure yourself is mention it to your midwife when you meet her, she'll be able to put your mind at rest.

saraclara · 07/12/2019 21:28

My daughter didn't know she was pregnant, and had been happily drinking at several parties after she conceived. Like you, she was worried, but the midwife completely reassured her that no harm would have been done.

Original poster
sel2223 · 07/12/2019 21:42

Ladies, can I just say a massive, massive thank you to you all for reassuring me and putting my mind at ease!
I think I'm just over emotional at the minute and overthinking every little thing!
Thank you

OP posts:
Youseethethingis · 07/12/2019 21:45

Two words for you - yolk sac!
I had the exact same panic this time last year and turns out it’s fine so early on. Baby DS is sleeping in my arms now and is just perfect.
Don’t worry Flowers

Solihooley · 07/12/2019 21:50

It’s fines others have said. Both mine have been conceived during times of plentiful drinking (honeymoon/Christmas &new year).

LolaSmiles · 07/12/2019 21:51

It's early days, don't worry
Now you know you can make choices accordingly

Congratulations to you.

Yoohoo16 · 07/12/2019 21:55

Agree with all the other posters- no need for guilt. You can relax now.

changed123 · 07/12/2019 22:01

I discovered I was pregnant at 2 weeks. I had been drinking very heavily those 2 weeks. Stopped straight away of course. My daughter is now 5, very bright, lively, very happy and doing very well in Year 1 at school.
I was also worried sick but it's all turned out fine.

20viona · 07/12/2019 22:03

Relax it happens to thousands of women every year including myself. Worrying won't help try and be positive.

Boymummy3 · 08/12/2019 08:52

1st pregnancy I was drinking the night when I tested.... I didn't believe it and don't even know why I tested but as I was pretty drunk I carried on my night drinking.. He's 9 now and absolutely nothing wrong with him. 2nd I got married early pregnancy I didn't know I was pregnant but was wondering why I wasn't getting drunk as I was drinking alot.. Again he's now 3 and nothing wrong with him.
Of course it isn't advised but that early on shouldn't make a difference and you have stopped now so that's most important thing.

MarleneandBoycie · 08/12/2019 08:56

How old are you that you think not using contraception is anything other than actively trying for a baby?

BeverlyGoldberg · 08/12/2019 09:05

Congratulations!

Don't beat yourself up at this beautiful early stage. There's plenty of time for parental guilt later down the line and, trust me, everyone gets it!

But for now, don't worry. I found out at 6 weeks - the week before I had been very drunk and the morning after went for a spa day with a hangover. So my little egg was both pickled and poached - and now she's 4 and perfectly healthy.

Relax, put your feet up and stop the guilt!

Original poster
sel2223 · 08/12/2019 10:15

Thank you everyone. I feel a lot more reassured now and of course, have not (and will not) touch another drop now I know I'm pregnant!

@MarleneandBoycie 37!! First time pregnant...from everything i read on the internet and the experiences of people we know, i genuinely believed it would take a few months for the contraception to leave my system and I also thought my age might be an issue. Truth be told, I am still absolutely gobsmacked that it happened so quickly!
Naive I know.

OP posts:
Ilovethekitties · 08/12/2019 15:40

At three weeks (when I didn't know) my partner and I went on a romantic weekend away which included:

  • Copious amounts of ammeretto and wine
  • 20 cigarettes
  • Weekend in the hot tub
  • A visit to penny well farm which included the stroking of goats and sheep (which you shouldn't touch)

I'm six days away from due date and baby is absolutely fine! I'm sure you're all good. You can't help what has already happened but you can help your stress levels, so relax! X

afternoontwee · 08/12/2019 20:06

I’m a Christmas party baby who had a Christmas party baby - the week I conceived my little boy I got trolleyed at several Christmas parties, like you we’d stopped using contraception that month and expected it to take longer than literally one time to fall pregnant. The result is sleeping in his basket a couple of feet away from me, perfectly healthy and meeting all his milestones at 3 months! Try not to worry Smile

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