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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Consumed with worry over drinking in early pregnancy

34 replies

WantedChild · 01/05/2020 12:59

Hi everyone. FTM here. I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and am suddenly consumed with the thoughts of how much I drank before getting that BFP. It was Christmastime and I was out A LOT. Definitely had well over the recommended units - probably every day!
I was 6 weeks along when I found out and am so worried I have already caused irreparable damage.
I have followed similar threads on here before but they are all quite old, so I am hoping for some up to date reassurance (or maybe the scared mums have some good news to report).

I can't bear the thought of having a disabled or impaired child because of my partying. I'm married and 35 and should know better.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

YouJustDoYou · 01/05/2020 13:03

I was an alcoholic and had the same worry. My doctor said that at that point there isn't any concern, but if you;re really worried try and consult your gp when we are next able to actually see a gp.

Original poster

WantedChild · 01/05/2020 13:05

Was your child ok?

OP posts:

carleyemma91 · 01/05/2020 13:09

I found out I was pregnant on the last day of a 2 week holiday where I drank loads of booze and ate ALL of the things I shouldn't eat. I found out when I was 5 weeks exactly (was actually hungover when I found out) and I'm 34 weeks with a seemingly healthy baby girl. If you're 5 or 6 weeks pregnant, then you're really only around 3 weeks following conception because dates are based on your last period where you wont have even ovulated yet. Try not to worry, there are people who drink and take drugs up until the day their baby arrives and their babies arrive healthy.

NicNac100 · 01/05/2020 13:13

Same as PP I found out after a boozy holiday and a boozy weekend for a friends birthday so was also hungover when I found out too at 5 weeks! Try not to worry, I think it's continued drinking throughout pregnancy that causing damage and until the placenta takes over I'm not sure much, if any, damage is done at all at the 4-6 week stage I'm currently 36 weeks with a seemingly healthy baby too and I'm nearly 40 - please don't beat yourself up x

Embracelife · 01/05/2020 13:15

Dud you continue to drink when you knew you were pregnant? If you stopped when you knew then no guilt.

You can have a disabled child regardless due to genetics. When sperm egg collided things can go wrong. No one s fault.

YouJustDoYou · 01/05/2020 13:18

Oh yes absolutely. At only 6 weeks it's not even a full foetus yet.

Thekindyoufindinasecondhand · 01/05/2020 13:20

Please don't worry. I had a huge birthday might out, whilst trying for a baby (34 and married too) the next day my hangover was awful and I soon realised why!

I was like you, googling everything and getting myself in a right state. After having a fine 12 and 20 week scan I now realise a few boozy nights out when you don't know, aren't the end of the world. I did speak to my GP who explained there is no real blood link until a certain point (I can't remember when sorry) and until a certain point a few drinks will not matter.

Heavy drug use, carrying on drinking etc are all a bit more cause for concern. Don't beat yourself up, or even say you should of known better, plenty of people are pregnant and don't realise and do this, and have healthy happy babies. I'd just be glad you had those nights out when you did as you won't be having many for a while

nahnonever · 01/05/2020 13:59

The day before I took my pregnancy test,(I only took a test because I was due to start some medication I wasn't allowed to get pregnant on) I was on a night out and got so drunk an ambulance was called for me

I was drinking heavily every night before this . (I was dating my now OH and we would go to bars every night)

Turned out I was 8 weeks pregnant and my little girl was as healthy as can be. Please don't worry

ParkheadParadise · 01/05/2020 14:07

I didn't find out I was pregnant with dd2 until I was 5mths.
I'd been on several holiday drinking every day also been to weddings and nights out.
I was so shocked at being pregnant I didn't think about all the alcohol that I had been drinking.
Dd was born healthy.

Lovelostnfoundx · 01/05/2020 17:47

I was drinking on a daily basis for the first 6 weeks of pregnancy until I found out and some days were excessive. I’m 33 weeks now and everything seems fine with baby. I was honest with my midwife and she said there was unlikely to be any damage at that stage. I persisted saying but at 6 weeks I was drinking a lot. She said you and 90% of women who walk through that door have at some point drunk a lot during the early weeks so put it out of your mind. If it helps I still worried for a long time afterwards but gradually as I’ve felt him get stronger and more active those worries have reduced greatly.

Mucklowe · 01/05/2020 18:20

I got pissed on cocktails and cured my hangover with two pints of Guinness on Christmas Eve. Got a BFP on Christmas Day!

WineLover1234 · 01/05/2020 18:34

@Mucklowe I love the way you worded that! 😂 my grandfather loved Guinness but I've never seen the appeal 🙊 but what an amazing Christmas present for you to have a BFP 🥰🥰

Harriett123 · 01/05/2020 18:37

I had a friend in exactly the same situation as you. She found out just after Christmas and she was about 6 weeks. She now has a articulate beautiful sassy little 6 year old girl.
Plenty of peole drink that early please try not to worry.

Bleepers · 01/05/2020 18:38

There's something called the all or nothing theory. Basically, at that early a stage if the booze had a negative impact then you would either have miscarried (all) or the baby is totally fine (nothing!) Hope that makes sense. Essentially, you have nothing to worry about. Pregnancy is such an anxious time and it's easy to fixate on stuff but I promise that this will not have affected your baby x

Veronica2018 · 22/02/2021 08:11

Hi WantedChild, just wondering how it all ended up. Hopefully you baby arrived healthy and happy a few months ago. One year after you I am in the exact same place. I found out I was pregnant at week 5+2 and had been drinking half a bottle of wine most days and had one event of heavy drinking just a few days before finding out (1 bottle of wine, 1 beer and 2 shots of tequila- not feeling proud). I am so worried this could have harmed the developing baby, of course nit a drop since I found out but I am really stressed as we find everything and its contrary on the internet. Thank you.

dementedpixie · 22/02/2021 08:14

The baby isn't supported by the placenta until around 12 weeks so you arent sharing anything with each other until then. The early drinking will not affect your baby as long as you didn't continue into later pregnancy

Mrstumbletap · 22/02/2021 21:29

I was convinced I wasn't pregnant as I had implantation pain and spotting, thought I was coming on my period and thought sod it I am never going to get pregnant after trying for months!! So we really enjoyed our all inclusive holiday and drank lots every night. I even smoked cigarettes I think?!

Gave birth to a 10lb perfectly healthy boy.

I know of friends that drank like crazy on hen dos and then found out too after 6 weeks. All babies were fine.

You stopped early it will be fine.

Twobecomingthreeplusthedog · 22/02/2021 22:08

I was absolutely mortal drunk when I was 4 weeks pregnant, had absolutely no idea. Three days later and I found out. My doctor laughed when I told her and said she hears it all the time. She said the first 4-6 weeks are the least dangerous anyway so I had nothing to worry about.

LH1987 · 22/02/2021 23:32

I found out at about 5 weeks and had drank quite a lot in that period. Baby is now almost 9 months, no issues and very bright and gorgeous (my perfect first born, so I may be biased 😀!).

Veronica2018 · 23/02/2021 09:35

Thank you all for your replies, it is reassuring. I have read a lot about the placenta not being functional before 10-12 weeks but in the meantime the foetus is taking nutrients from the yolk sac and apparently alcohol could be transmitted through the yolk sac. Anyway we read so many things (and their contrary) on the internet, first hand testimonials are very valuable so thank you very much, I will stop googling about it and keep very healthy for the next 7 months :) Thank you again.

Musmerian · 23/02/2021 09:39

I found out I was pregnant with my first after an awful holiday in Tenerife where I drank a lot of Tequila and other booze. Daughter was absolutely fine. Don’t worry.

babyyodaxmas · 23/02/2021 09:52

I found out I was pregnant with DS at 6 weeks, lots of parties in the weeks before (including one memorable evening). He is 17 next month doing Maths, futher maths, physics and chemistry A- levels and is an excellent athelete. Doesn't wash as much as I'd like but fairly sure that is not due to my drinking prior to 6 weeks good luck.

QuitMoaning · 23/02/2021 09:56

I should think the number of pregnancies started during drunken fumblings are probably quite high (inhibitions and contraception going out of the window).

I was on holiday and had a couple of gins every night, especially as it was my birthday and he is a strapping 23 year old doing his masters degree.

Bungal00 · 23/02/2021 09:59

I went to Glastonbury before I found out I was pregnant, was about 6-7 weeks, didn't realise as periods were sporadic at the time anyway... baby is now a lovely 3 year old, very clever, very beautiful. I'm sure you'll be fine!

Mommy223 · 11/08/2023 07:47

i have been drinking since about 5 months wine , not everyday but frequently because i’ve been ver stressed out now i’m very stressed out doing non stop research 😩 i am now 29 weeks i smoke too also anybody

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