Drank before I realised I was pregnant

[NEMamma]

looking for some advice.. I drank 2 medium glasses of wine and a cocktail at around 4 weeks after conception. I’ve only just found out I’m pregnant at about 6 weeks and am so worried and unsure what to do. I’ve heard so much about fasd and that there’s a risk even drinking small amounts. im
also pretty small in frame and don’t usually drink alcohol at all so that is a lot by my standards!

any advice/help please!

Don't worry, most of us have been there. My little one is asleep on me now and generally thriving, I remember this time two years ago finding out I was pregnant and panicking because I had been drinking.

I drank lots of cocktails and champagne one Christmas and discovered I was pregnant 10 days later!

Dd is now at university and she’s fine, no after effects at all. Also, she doesn’t drink at all as doesn’t like the taste of alcohol so maybe that’s a benefit…

Fun fact. Of alcoholics who drink excessively ALL THROUGHOUT their pregnancy, only 1/3 will have FASD. It just doesn’t happen to one offs

Hard to say this without sounding harsh but most FAS kids are born to mothers with multiple issues including alcohol addiction - other drugs, chaotic lifestyles etc. There is some thought that regular meals, healthy food protect against FAS. Anyway - one off, when there is no mechanism to pass alcohol to foetus (4 weeks is ball of cells stage not embryo being fed through placenta) not an issue.

New Year of 17 years ago I was playing drinking games with my brother. He is 6'4" and about 5' wide and can drink a lot! . 20 Jan that year I found I was expecting DS. He's taking his GCSEs in a few months, healthy, no issues at school, social, musical, and aspires to find a cure for cancer.

I didn't know I was pregnant with one of my kids, until after 3m. I went on some heavy nights out in that time.

I really would not worry about it tbh.

My child is now at junior school. Bright. Funny. Healthy. Fit

Could they have been a genius if I had avoided alcohol...... ?

We shall never know!

You drank very little indeed. It will have no impact. I didn't know I was pregnant until I was about 8 weeks as I still had a period. I drank a lot more than you and now have a very healthy 12 year old.

You drank very little indeed. It will have no impact. I didn't know I was pregnant until I was about 8 weeks as I still had a period. I drank a lot more than you and now have a very healthy 12 year old.

We were TTC from July and went away beginning of Sept. I'd convinced myself we wouldn't be able to have kids or that it would take a long time. Whilst away I drank at least 2-3 cocktails a day and on the Saturday took a test just in case. It came back negative so hubby and I went on a big night out that night and I was very drunk. 4 days later still no period and the test was positive . I was worried about this and spoke to midwife (also 6 week by that point). She advised not to worry as baby doesn't feed from placenta at that point.

OP take a breath. Yeah you and millions of other women have accidentally done the same.

You don’t do anything because there isn't really anything to worry about but nothing could be done anyway.

Many babies are conceived when parents are pissed. A week before I took a test, I went to a wedding and had a gazillion drinks. I was about 6 weeks.

With my next, I’d been away on a girls’ weekend and drank copiously and spent 3 days pissed in a hot tub. Had no idea I was about 8 weeks pregnant.

You’ll be fine.

Please don't worry. I found out I was pregnant with my now 9-year-old, the day after my work Christmas party. I had done shots, and smoked cigarettes (don't even smoke but was THAT drunk). I was about 5.5 weeks along when I did the test. I hadn't realised I was pregnant as if had a miscarriage the previous month and hadn't had a period since so didn't think it was possible. I spoke to my doctor about it and he was super reassuring, as was the consultant I saw. They said it was very common for women to drink before realising they were pregnant. I can confirm that my 9-year-old is fine, with no ill effects from the Christmas festivities! Congratulations, try not to worry.

i got completely wasted a few days before I found out I was pregnant (surprise pregnancy). My DS is fine.
i did a lot of googling once I found out as I was very nervous. I didn’t find any worrying info.

Yeah. I went to a wedding and drank a few glasses of champagne and went on to Jack Daniels and coke as the evening progressed. Then a couple of night later went to a pub quiz and had a couple of pints. I had been told I wouldn't be able to conceive easily so I wasn't concerned. My teenager is absolutely thriving... Much cleverer, taller, healthier, sportier and just better than me. You and baby are going to be fine.... The stress and anxiety about this is probably more harmful than the alcohol to be honest. Let it go and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy (before you get huge and have to waddle 😁)

My ex- FiL.got married the spring before DD was born. I caned the Vodka & oranges that day. I have an 18 year old who is strong and doing well. I had pre-eclampsia but that's the roll of the dice and she's no worse for it.

This. FASD is dreadful for the DC as it often leaves them with quite severe learning disabilities but as pp stated it is only a risk from 12-13 weeks of pregnancy onwards.

I have a beautiful, healthy 12 year old who has just been awarded an academic scholarship at a good private school. She's in the netball team too.
I found out I was pregnant with her because I went to a work do, had three glasses of wine and was so drunk (hormones) that I figured something was up and tested.
Was smoking like a chimney too.
I hope my story gives you peace of mind... and thank you for giving me a chance to brag about my amazing daughter 🤣

I went on a drinking holiday to Amsterdam when I was pregnant with my eldest. I had been drinking heavily every night we were there. I didn't realise I was pregnant till 6 weeks. It was a contraception failure.
He's now a healthy happy 10 year old.
Apparently drinking in the 1st trimester can cause miscarriage but at that point if it doesn't it won't cause birth defects.
If you are still pregnant there's likely been no damage to the embryo
Congratulations and good luck with it all

Funnily enough it's kind of how I knew I was pregnant, I had a hangover for a whole week which was unusual so it prompted me to take a test

When I got pregnant with DD1 I'd been at a party drinking Slippery Nipples.

With both DDs I had one glass of wine a week throughout pregnancy.

The only people who need to worry about FAS are proper alcoholics who drink daily, and well above the daily limit, like a bottle or two of wine every day sort of thing.

People who had a weekend binge don't need to worry.

Countries who have the worst problem with children being born with FAS are South Africa and Italy, where alcoholism within the female population is highest. Yes it's bad to be an alcoholic and pregnant, very bad, but if you had an accidental drink or two during pregnancy before you knew, it's not comparable.

Firstly, in the very earliest days, the umbilical cord is being constructed, the embryo is just reliant on the egg itself for nutrition. So, at the very beginning, you cannot poison the baby with alcohol.

We had a long haul with ivf. Lots of stress. I remember changing hospital and the new consultant telling me to go home, watch comedy and have a glass of wine after embryo transfer. I did and I was conflicted, but after many failed attempts, I got pregnant.

My cousin was terrified when she found herself pregnant. It was unplanned and she went to the doctors because she was having sporadic bleeds. They did a test to rule it out, but she was pregnant. She had had her wedding, Christmas and both her and dh had turned 30. They had had around 7 weeks of partying.

All grand though. Their wee boy is a wee cracker.

I went to a hen party around similar time frame and everything turned out ok. Foetal alcohol syndrome does not occur from a once off sesh it's pronounced and heavy exposure to alcohol. Stop worrying

This is genuinely a complete non issue. You can stop worrying, honestly.

There are much, much higher risks to your baby you will come across. Getting in a car every day; genetic mutations; random environmental pollutants and infectious agents, failure to vaccinate yourself or your baby when born, nutritional deficiencies, birth injuries, I could go on for ages!

point being that you really don’t need to worry about some beers or cocktails before your baby started to draw from the placenta.

I found out I was pregnant 3 weeks after my 21st birthday, and I can assure you I was a long way from sober at my party. I was also living in Manchester at the time clubbing several times a week. My son is now 27 and there have been no side affects from my copious alcohol consumption during the first several weeks of pregnancy. You'll be fine op x