Alcohol before knowing I was pregnant at six weeks

[Rainbow9812]

I’m after some advice, I’ve just found out I’m pregnant at 6 weeks after a chemical pregnancy the previous month, my partner and I decided to take a break from trying and I had assumed everything was just out of sync after the chemical as I had some spotting around the start of week 5 and thought my period was on its way. We went away on holiday for a week and had been drinking 2-3 pints of beer per evening between week 5 and finding out at the start of week 6 - I had also had multiple bottles of wine around the weekend of week three and four over a few day period when my friend was staying with us and I’m now completely panicking that I could have harmed the baby. I appreciate this is a lot but honestly, I was self soothing following the chemical - I know there are better ways to do this.

I’ve read a lot about complications that alcohol can have at this early stage particularly with FAS and organ development. I know that no one can guarantee anything at this stage but I’m spiralling a bit and just wanted to see if anyone had been in a similar situation and things had turned out ok?

I obviously wouldn’t drink from now on so just looking for advice more than anything.

i’m sure baby is absolutely fine x this happens to many many many people all the time me included!

I had my hen do while I was unexpectedly pregnant...
The baby was perfect and he is now a strapping 17 year old eating me out of house and home.
I understand why you are worried. I was too.
Could you speak to your midwife for some reassurance?

Before my mum found out she was expecting me she necked a whole bottle of vodka at a party and refused to come down from the table she was dancing on until my dad threatened to leave her if she didnt! And im fine.

There are of course risks but these are much more likely with prolonged exposure to alcohol and in very large amounts.

I would try not worry!

OP, this is so common. I also unknowingly drank before my missed period and I know many mothers who did the same. My understanding is that alcohol won’t pass to your baby until they are nourished by the placenta, around week 10. Before then, your baby will get their nutrients from the yolk sac.

I was throwing up into a paper bag with a hangover after a big night out in Newcastle....next day I did the test and found I was pregnant. Not ideal but hey ho. My son is now 14, bigger than me and can solve rubix cubes blindfold. Pretty sure he didn't suffer from foetal alcohol syndrome.

Pretty sure that early isn't an issue as the placenta isn't fully formed and being used so the alcohol doesn't cross over to the foetus.

I asked my midwife a similar question and I am paraphrasing here but she said in those first six weeks it is using what is self contained in the egg to start growing and starting to attach to the placenta. But the transfer of anything won't be happening yet. Basically you don't need to worry about alcohol in the first six weeks as long as you are careful from here going forward and you won't have harmed the baby.

congratulations 💕
as others have said, at this very early stage it won't have crossed the placenta. your baby 😍 will be just fine.

🤗

Congratulations; please try to not worry. I went out for a meal with DH and some friends the weekend before we knew I was pregnant, and enjoyed a couple of (large) glasses of wine. I asked my midwife about it at my booking-in appointment; she said it was the question she heard more than any other, and that she wasn’t at all concerned as long as I wasn’t drinking in pregnancy (I definitely wasn’t).

DD is now 11, moving up to secondary school in September, as bright as a button, and the kindest person I know. Sending lots of love; I hope this thread provides some reassurance with stories of babies who are now thriving as children or adults.

I went to a wedding with a free bar at 6 weeks pregnant and drank a fair amount in the time around it. All was fine. Congratulations!

Thanks all - really appreciate the replies! I think I’ve just gone into panic mode as I’m always so careful normally and this came as a complete surprise!

Op I literally posted the same post as you a few years ago. Except I had been vaping also and eaten in some very questionable places and I also didn’t find out until I was 6 weeks. I was panicking so much that I rang and told a midwife she laughed and said not to worry at all as it’s not until week 8 -12 when the placenta starts supporting the baby.

plus everyone on here also told me not to worry.

you haven’t done any damage so just relax and enjoy your sober pregnancy