FASD signs in newborn or during pregnancy?

[woollymammal99]

Are there any possible signs of FASD in ultrasounds or other tests during pregnancy, or any visible signs in a newborn baby? Such as a flat philtrum or small eyes for example, could this be apparent in a newborn? I had drank a moderate amount for 4 days, after a month of negative tests following ovulation, and then a few days later I found out I was pregnant. Naturally I am so wound up with worry about this. I'd appreciate anyone's insight or advice!

I think all you can do at this point is speak to your midwife, I imagine in extreme cases they can tell early, but I don’t think there’s any test at this point that could tell you 100%
However I do understand your worry, but you do have to think about all the women who are alcoholics, all the women who opt to still have a couple of drinks throughout pregnancy, and all the women who don’t know they’re pregnant for the first month(s) and drink moderately or binge drink in that time, and then look around you at all the children you can see with FAS and see that a couple of drinks at a very early stage are incredibly unlikely to cause FAS. I’m sure you are both absolutely fine.

That is a lovely post@Toastiecroissant rational and totally true. Try not to worry OP.

My friend took cocaine and drank for the first month, not knowing she was pregnant. It didnt cross her mind to worry. (This is back in the 90s)

My sister drank small amounts throughout pregnancy.

When I was pregnant in 2009 it was still advised that 1 or 2 glasses of wine once or twice a week was fine!

Enjoy the rest of your preganancy.

I believe that nothing actually crosses to the baby until the placenta is formed at 10ish weeks so it wouldn't have an effect on your baby that early. My friend was told she'd had a miscarriage at just over 12 weeks and went on a 2 week bender, she was in fact still pregnant and her son is now 17 and a perfectly healthy young man.

I can see how this is worrying for you but so, so, so many women drink when they are pregnant but before they get a positive test (myself included!). Pregnant with my second now and was getting negative tests until my period was over a week late, so I assumed I wasn't and was enjoying some beers in the sun.

Haven't drunk since I found out but baby will be fine. The guidelines are no alcohol at all simply because they don't know for sure how much is safe. But there are so many women who unknowingly drink, or who choose to drink small amounts throughout pregnancy and their babies are fine.

Seconding a PP that if you are really really worried about it, have a chat with your midwife.

Unfortunately I have research experience in the area and have seen the issues with FASD and the impact it has on children’s lives. I don’t want to worry you or blame anyone but if you are thinking of getting pregnant, have had unprotected intercourse or think you may be pregnant, the safe amount of alcohol is zero. Drugs are not as impactful as alcohol and they have a devastating effect on the developing foetus.

My mum worked in a pub when she was pregnant with me. She even had what she thought were ‘periods’ for the first 3 months so continued life as normal. She wasn’t an excessive drinker but customers would occasionally buy her a drink so she would have had a few drinks each shift. After the 3 month point and she clicked on she was pregnant she did try to avoid alcohol, this was also the early 90s though where people would say the odd drink wouldn’t hurt.

Im completely fine and 33yrs old. Never had any issues, I don’t have fasd or any kind of issues. Great childhood. I know one example isn’t reassuring but just thought I would add it.

You may likely worry for the rest of the pregnancy regardless of what anyone says. I hope you have a smooth pregnancy and soon get to meet your little one.

I had a worry in the pregnancy with my son because at 5 weeks pregnant we were at an Airbnb and I stupidly put a pizza on a ‘plastic’ tray (it looked just like my metal one at home in my weak defence), cooked it for 10 minutes until we smelt burning. The tray had melted and the whole flat was filled with smoke of burnt plastic fumes. I stood on the balcany panicking for 30-50minutes of the harm done. Once all the smoke had gone I then cleaned the oven scraping plastic and wiping the oven down.

Please look at NICE guidelines as well as the lengthy body of research on FASD. The majority of people in prisons and Psych wards are suspected of having FASD. The risks are too great to gamble with your child’s life for a drink. I don’t want to blame a woman but make them aware of the impact drinking has on a developing foetus.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs204/chapter/Quality-statement-1-Advice-on-avoiding-alcohol-in-pregnancy

My daughter was a “happy accident” shall we say. I definitely drank in what I didn’t know was my two week wait! In fact I have pictures of me out having cocktails the week before my positive test.
Honestly I wouldn’t worry. As someone else said, how many babies are planned vs. how many happen accidentally. Drinking in early pregnancy before a positive test is so, so common. As long as you stop when you find out then there’s nothing more for it.

Edited to add: just looked at the NHS website and it says:
Women who find out they're pregnant after already having drunk in early pregnancy should avoid further drinking for the rest of their pregnancy.
However, they should not worry unnecessarily, as the risks of their baby being affected are likely to be low. If you're concerned, talk to a midwife or doctor.