Heavy drinking before finding out about unplanned pregnancy at 13 weeks

[SufferingInSilence1]

Just that.. I've just found out I'm 13 weeks pregnant, used contraception but clearly it failed. Me and DH are absolutely floored by this but would like to keep the baby but I am terrified I have done the baby damage by drinking without knowing. From conception to knowing I drank probably two glasses of wine (shared a bottle) every day, maybe even more over Christmas.
Please can anyone offer advice, I'm tied up in knots that I'm going to wonder for years if I've done unrepairable damage.

I know of someone who was pregnant and drank heavily before they found out they were pregnant, quite late too (she was told she was practically infertile with very irregular periods) . Child is happy and healthy now. I know it’s only anecdotal but though I’d let you know.
Easier said than done but worrying about it won’t change anything, you can’t turn back time, just concentrate on having a healthy pregnancy now. I hope it works out for you and congratulations on having a baby.

It takes time before the umbilical cord is fully established and able to pass alcohol across, I think about 12 weeks ish but certainly a few months. And even then, blood alcohol levels have to be high enough in the blood to pass over - a small amount of alcohol (a glass or two) is absorbed by the body straight away.

To develop fetal alcohol syndrome I think you need to be exposed to a really high level of alcohol throughout pregnancy.

The alcohol guidelines are there as there's no ethical way to treat impact of alcohol on a baby. Lots of countries say a few glasses throughout pregnancy are ok.

There's a good bit on it in expecting better by Emily Oster.

I'm not saying it's a good idea to drink in pregnancy, but UK guidelines make it sound like a small amount will have awful impacts, not true. You'll be ok. Congratulations!

I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 20 weeks with DS1 (I had PCOS and 2 cycles a year, hence why I didn't notice!), and I drank loads before I knew (as you do when you are 23).

My son is turning 14 next month and top of his class in most things - don't worry, your little peanut will be just fine