Help me. I drank a lot during my first trimester!

[Anonymous]

Okay, I just found out I am 8 weeks pregnant. This is a complete shock, to say the least. I am 40, and last year was told by my doctor that I would not be able to get pregnant naturally. DH and I were okay with the news, and we were satisfied with being "one and done". Due to my medical issues, my menstrual cycle has been very irregular for over a year now. I might bleed for a day or two, then go months before menstruating again. When I didn't get my period recently, it didn't concern us at all and the possibility of pregnancy is not even something that crossed our mind. Then, my breasts started getting really swollen and painful. I took a test, and huge surprise - Pregnant!

I'm still not over the shock yet. I'm also extremely concerned, as over the past 8 weeks, I have drank quite a bit. I'm not talking getting sh*t faced drunk or anything, but I have drank pretty large amounts of alcohol probably about 15 times. I'm extremely worried that I've caused damage to my baby.

Has anyone here drank during their first trimester, and if so, what were the results?

If I don't have another drop of alcohol (obviously) for the rest of the pregnancy, what do you think my baby's chances are?

I am totally freaking out here.

[Anonymous]

No one can help you here. Some people will tell you that they drank a lot and their kids were fine. People who have a FASD child will probably not post so they don't freak you out worse than you already are. There is nothing you can do to reverse where you are. You can only move forward and prevent further likelihood of problems.

If I were you, I probably wouldn't revisit this post though because if the FASD debate starts, you'll hear lots of things you wish you hadn't.

[Anonymous]

What is a large amount to you? You are probably fine. I was drinking quite heavily when I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. No ill effects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a large amount to you? You are probably fine. I was drinking quite heavily when I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. No ill effects.

Each time, it was probably around 3 to 6 glasses of flavored vodka on ice (that's the only thing I really drink). I am beyond horrified right now.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure statistically your odds of something being "wrong" are more likely from your age rather than the alcohol. My mom was an alcoholic and definitely drank in early pregnancy, and thankfully all of us and there are many were fine.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I forgot to say Congrats! I hope everything goes smoothly and you deliver a healthy baby - even factoring in age, your odds are that the baby will be fine!

[Anonymous]

You drank on 15 different occasions since your last period or on 15 different occasions since you conceived the baby?

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding: Embryos don't share a blood supply with their moms - and the embryo doesn't become a fetus until week 9. So you are probably o.k. Now that you know that you are pregnant - abstain completely. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

First, are you sure you're 8 weeks along? If your cycle is irregular, it's possible that you ovulated later than you think. Sore boobs are an early sign, I wouldn't be surprised if you were not as far along as you think you are. Your doctor can (and should!) do an ultrasound to measure the embryo and determine your dating.

Either way, your still very early, and I'd say its very likely everything will be fine.

Congratulations!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You drank on 15 different occasions since your last period or on 15 different occasions since you conceived the baby?

I'm probably exaggerating a bit...it's probably been closer to about 10 times in the past 8 weeks or so

[Anonymous]

I believe weeks 9-14 are the most critical for FAS. I have 3 friends who drank heavily during the first few weeks before they knew-- one didn't find out until 20 weeks...after a lot of social drinking over Xmas and NYE and her baby is fine.

[Anonymous]

This is something you should talk over with your doctor.

[Anonymous]

OP, the majority of women who drank alcohol in pregnancy -- even those who drank a lot of alcohol in pregnancy -- don't have babies with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. If you are a well-nourished middle-class or upper-class woman who is in good health, your chances are probably pretty good.

But I agree with the PP who says not to come back here. In fact, I would also advise not to Google. If something has happened, it has already happened. The only thing that Googling would do is increase your worrying and stress.

Good luck! I hope that everything goes wonderfully for you.

[Anonymous]

OP up until a certain point it does not pass the placenta is my understanding - ask your doctor about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a large amount to you? You are probably fine. I was drinking quite heavily when I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. No ill effects.

Each time, it was probably around 3 to 6 glasses of flavored vodka on ice (that's the only thing I really drink). I am beyond horrified right now.

You said you did not get "shit-faced drunk." I'm scratching my head figuring out how that would be possible if this is what you drank each time.