Just found out pregnant (13+1) and had been drinking heavily

[Evehope86]

Hi all, I found out on Monday I was 12 weeks + 5 days pregnant. No symptoms and apart from some light bleeding that I assumed was my irregular periods had no clue. Scan was fine but I am absolutely devestated after periods of heavy drinking since Christmas (Christmas party, leaving party, hen do X 2 and a birthday party). I am petrified I have caused damage and cannot stop worrying. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks very much.

Hi I’m a paediatric nurse and work with all types of women and there’s so many alcohol dependant and drug users who have healthy babies and they abuse substances throughout. Baby will be fine x

Honestly, please don’t worry at all. This happens to so many people, myself included! Put it out of your head, and congratulations 😊

Thank you so much for your reassuring comments x

I think you don't even switch over to the placenta until about 12 weeks so I wouldn't worry. As a PP said, plenty of women struggle with substances throughout and babies are fine but just crack on now with lots of healthy eating and rest and you'll be ok :)

Sorry I don't think your definition of "fine" fits with the generally accepted one. People can't drink and do drugs all through pregnancy and bank on having a baby that's ok and it's really irresponsible to claim you're a registered health professional and then say that. Unless you are doing long-term follow-ups of the baby you can't say they're going to be unaffected throughout their life.

A first-hand experience:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/922821-drug-dependant-baby-advice-needed?page=1
Some things you should read to refresh your knowledge of this area:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4262892/

OP talk to your midwife and get advice from someone who is definitely trained and registered, not someone who says they are then gives out dubious advice that goes against the scientific consensus.

@BiscuitsandPuffin i agree with you. One sweeping statement made by a presumed HCP (I could be Bob the Builder for all you know) is dangerous. Drinking in pregnancy can of course lead on to issues, but it’s on a case by case basis. OP, you will need to discuss this with your midwife.

I think you're right to be concerned OP.

A recent study showed that FASD is massively more prevalent in the UK's population than previously thought.

Your child might be unaffected but it's impossible to say with any certainty.

www.salford.ac.uk/news/first-uk-study-of-its-kind-led-by-the-university-of-salford-reveals-the-local-extent-of-fetal

@BiscuitsandPuffin no you are right I don’t have a lot of years of follow up experience. My intention wasn’t to give advice but to try to help and not scare and add worry with my own anecdotal experience. I’m sure OP knows to talk to midwife. Of course mumsnet isn’t a valid source of advice. I’m going off 10 years neonates where we take alcohol and drug dependant babies from birth so no I can’t comment on the long run. But thank you for those links I will give a read to make sure I’m advising appropriately

Tbh I don’t think anyone can advise HCP or not. It’s something that can happen but who knows I don’t think it’s something you would know for a while unless it’s heavy alchol trough out. But fingers crossed all okay. Also don’t think the above was promoting getting a bottle of voddy but just being nice

A friend of mine drank at the beginning of her pregnancy as she didn't know (she was less than 12 weeks). She told the midwife and she had to have various tests/scans and go to a fetal alcohol clinic until they were certain everything was ok. Let your midwife know and they will advise you from there.