Smoking marijuana before I knew I was pregnant!

[Laureen20]

Hi guys,
I’m really panicking. I’ve just found out I’m around 7 weeks pregnant (which was a total shock), but up until that point, I had been treating isolation like a holiday and drinking more often then I ever had. I’d say around 5/6 times.
Also I have smoked Marijuana quite a few times in that period and now I’m worrying.
I’ve tried to read studies online but they’re only really speaking about people who smoke it very often and throughout pregnancy.
I’d say I’ve smoked it around 10-15 times and probably around 3grams at the very most.
Any advice please? This is my first baby so I’m really worried.

Were you planning to get pregnant?

Your baby’s body is beginning to form at this stage. All of the cells are deviding rapidly to grow the distinct organs of the body. Alcohol and substance abuse can have a negative impact on this bit to what extent in your baby’s case only time will tell. You might be lucky and their be nothing obvious. There may be behavioural changes. There may be physical abnormalities.

Now that you are aware you need to make sure the remainder of your pregnancy is clean to give your child the best possible outcome.

There are lots of people who've had massive binges before they knew they were pregnant. People go throughout entire pregnancies on rare occasions without knowing. From 0-8 weeks I think (have a Google for further reassurance) the developijg baby is nourished by the yolk sack. The placenta takes over about now. There's nothing you can change about what you've done so far, dwelling on it is not going to help. Just make a conscious effort to take good care of yourself going forwards x

It's the alcohol that carries the biggest risk to the baby in terms of abnormalities. At least you know now and can change your behaviour if you plan to continue with the pregnancy. For what it's worth a friend of mine kept having periods during her pregnancy, and only found out at 5 months, she had been drinking heavily and taking pills - her little boy is perfect.

It won't have made any difference at this early stage as the baby is still living off its yolk sac. The important thing is stopping harmful habits before the placenta kicks in about 12w.

The risk of damage from what you describe is very low. Please try not to worry about it - the best thing you can do for your baby now is to relax, take a pregnancy vitamin, and just avoid smoking and drinking going forward.

Thank you everyone.

Try not to worry too much. Also don’t be afraid to mention it to your midwife, they should reassure you x

Also get some pregnancy vitamins if you haven’t already.
Folic acid is very important but this is usually included in the preg vitamins.

Op, don't worry. So many people who aren't planning to conceive smoke/drink etc prior to finding out they're pregnant and go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancy's and babies!

I even know women who have smoked cigarettes and marijuana through their entire pregnancy (I don't agree with this btw) but they've gone on to have healthy babies.

Don't stress you'll do more harm worrying about it 💐

Please don’t panic. My husbands mum smoked with all her three children throughout pregnancy and all were fine! (This was a long time ago of course). I know I had a drunken night before I knew I was pregnant and baby seems to be just fine. Don’t punish yourself, you are on track now and caring for your baby. It is unlikely anything has happened. Try not to worry about it as stressing will make things worse, just take it easy on yourself - a lot of women have drunk and smoked without realising they’re pregnant and it hasn’t come to anything. X

This was the least compassionate and terrible response. "We're you planning to get pregnant?" Are you kidding me? Already inciting potential guilt in a woman who is obviously concerned about the well being of her baby. And then you proceed to spell out long term consequences, maliciously and intentionally causing more anxiety than necessary. I will pray for you because only people who are suffering want to cause such distress in others. That was awful and you should rethink how you speak to people.

Sunflower's response seems pretty practical to me. I don't see malice in it.

I mean the response that Sunflower quoted.

What a nasty reply. It’s clear you are on a high horse and are very judgemental. The risk posed to her baby from what she said is extremely low. You’re literally the worst type of person - every other reply in this thread is normal🙄

What a nasty reply. It’s clear you are on a high horse and are very judgemental. The risk posed to her baby from what she said is extremely low. You’re literally the worst type of person - every other reply in this thread is normal🙄