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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Pregnant after heavy drinking

31 replies

Babygirl01 · 13/10/2026 06:58

Hi everyone,
I need some advice or just reassurance. I have a daughter who is almost 3 years old. I breastfed her for 2 and a half years, and during that entire time—including my pregnancy and the preconception period (as she was a planned baby)—I didn't drink a single drop of alcohol.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about having a second child, but my husband isn’t really on board. We’ve had unprotected contact, but without ejaculation inside. Also, this month I tracked my ovulation daily, and all the tests came out negative.
Because of this and other personal issues, I was dealing with some anxiety and a very low mood. I was convinced there was absolutely no chance I could be pregnant. Since stopping breastfeeding a few months ago, I had been drinking occasionally, but this past month it was significant. I drank quite a bit in several days. Specifically, about a week ago (last Wednesday), I drank a bottle and a half of wine in one day, and on other evenings, maybe every 3 days, I had like 3 glasses.
Today, 3 days before my period is due, I took a pregnancy test and it's positive. I have almost no symptoms at all (unlike other months when I was hoping to be pregnant and had symptoms, but wasn't).
To add to my anxiety, I have a history of miscarriages before my first daughter. For her pregnancy, I had to take a specific medical treatment that helped me sustain the pregnancy, even if all tests looked fine everytime. Now, I am torn. I absolutely want this baby, my husband is ok with this as well, since it already happened, but I don't know what to do. Should I start the treatment immediately, even with the alcohol I consumed? Or should I avoid the treatment and just see what happens, considering the risk?
I am reading terrifying things online and I am consumed by guilt and fear for the baby. I know there are many stories out there, but I am so anxious right now. Has anyone else been in a similar situation regarding alcohol in early pregnancy?

OP posts:
Harshreality · 13/10/2026 12:15

Mulledjuice · 13/10/2026 11:50

I mean it's dangerous to imply, as your response does, that it's fine to drink liberally until the placenta is formed. That's just not true.

OP will probably fine - not the first or last to drink heavily before finding out she's pregnant. But she should stop now and take the relevant vitamins.

I never endorsed drinking liberally, you dolt.
I said don't panic, what OP has inadvertently done will not have harmed the baby

Mulledjuice · 13/10/2026 12:18

Harshreality · 13/10/2026 12:15

I never endorsed drinking liberally, you dolt.
I said don't panic, what OP has inadvertently done will not have harmed the baby

there is absolutely no need for name-calling. We can disagree without it.

Babygirl01 · 13/10/2026 16:11

Mulledjuice · 13/10/2026 11:50

I mean it's dangerous to imply, as your response does, that it's fine to drink liberally until the placenta is formed. That's just not true.

OP will probably fine - not the first or last to drink heavily before finding out she's pregnant. But she should stop now and take the relevant vitamins.

I haven't had a single drop of alcohol since last Wednesday, and I will certainly have none throughout my pregnancy. I spoke with my doctor, who told me that normally, the 'all-or-nothing' rule applies. My hCG test today came back at 51.8

OP posts:
Sunbringer · 13/10/2026 16:51

You’ve been having unprotected sex. Sperm is excreted in pre-ejaculate fluid. Not just ejaculation. This is basic sex education.

Anyway, while it’s not ideal, lots of people drink when they don’t know. You can’t change it now only stop drinking from the point you found out. Most women who drink alcohol before realizing they are pregnant (often during the first few weeks) and then stop go on to have healthy babies. The NHS specifically states that women who drank in early pregnancy before knowing they were pregnant "should not worry unnecessarily, as the risks of their baby being affected are likely to be low."

Babygirl01 · 13/10/2026 17:21

Sunbringer · 13/10/2026 16:51

You’ve been having unprotected sex. Sperm is excreted in pre-ejaculate fluid. Not just ejaculation. This is basic sex education.

Anyway, while it’s not ideal, lots of people drink when they don’t know. You can’t change it now only stop drinking from the point you found out. Most women who drink alcohol before realizing they are pregnant (often during the first few weeks) and then stop go on to have healthy babies. The NHS specifically states that women who drank in early pregnancy before knowing they were pregnant "should not worry unnecessarily, as the risks of their baby being affected are likely to be low."

I know. I also checked with ovulation tests. All negative. I guessed i didn't ovulate this month. But thank you for the reassurance on consequences.

OP posts:
Mulledjuice · 13/10/2026 17:26

Babygirl01 · 13/10/2026 16:11

I haven't had a single drop of alcohol since last Wednesday, and I will certainly have none throughout my pregnancy. I spoke with my doctor, who told me that normally, the 'all-or-nothing' rule applies. My hCG test today came back at 51.8

good for you! I hope you can find some helpful ways to manage any stress and anxiety. It is really tough when you've hoped for something for a long time and then it happens not in the way you imagined.

take good care of your body and mond and that will take care of the rest.

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