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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear lord, you drink 3 to 6 glasses of vodka every day? Lady, you are an alcoholic. I hope and pray you have not done irreparable damage yo your baby and you alcoholism doesn't ruin the child's life after it is born. You are truly disgusting.

Did I miss something here? doing the math would mean OP drank between 1 and 2 days per week, not everyday.

OP, there are obviously many women that binge drank and got pregnant during that time. Their kids may or may not be fine -- kids born to full blown alcoholics who drink throughout do not even always have FAS. Again, there is nothing to do now but be healthy for the rest of the time.

[Anonymous]

OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

[Anonymous]

OP, do some research on google scholar. There is little strong evidence that binge drinking in early pregnancy has a significant impact on development. FAS is caused by much more alcohol throughout pregnancy, and most of the mothers also smoke, use drugs, and are malnourished. I have read that mothers who drink 144 grams/alcohol every day have a 33% chance of FAS. That is 10 shots of vodka, 10 beers, or 10 glasses of wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

Could someone please translate these last few sentences? I consider myself a fairly literate person but this has me confused...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

Could someone please translate these last few sentences? I consider myself a fairly literate person but this has me confused...

Ha, it means there were less low IQ kids amongst those whose mothers drank in the first two weeks, but they note they may be able to use confounding factors (that is, adjusting) to adjust those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

Could someone please translate these last few sentences? I consider myself a fairly literate person but this has me confused...

Ha, it means there were less low IQ kids amongst those whose mothers drank in the first two weeks, but they note they may be able to use confounding factors (that is, adjusting) to adjust those.

This is what they are reporting that was odd; but they note in the article that it may simply be incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

Could someone please translate these last few sentences? I consider myself a fairly literate person but this has me confused...

Ha, it means there were less low IQ kids amongst those whose mothers drank in the first two weeks, but they note they may be able to use confounding factors (that is, adjusting) to adjust those.

This is what they are reporting that was odd; but they note in the article that it may simply be incorrect.

Thanks! That is what I thought it was saying but I thought that couldn't be right. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had the same experience. Weeks 7-12 are the most important. This may make you feel better:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03395.x/abstract


Methods Participants were sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. At 5 years of age the children were tested with six subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised (WPPSI-R). Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, the child’s age at testing, the gender of the child, and tester were considered core confounding factors, whereas the full model also controlled for prenatal maternal average alcohol intake, maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, home environment, postnatal parental smoking, health status, and indicators for hearing and vision impairment.


Main outcome measure WPPSI-R.


Results There were no systematic or significant differences in general intelligence between children of mothers reporting binge drinking and children of mothers with no binge episodes, except that binge drinking in gestational weeks 1–2 significantly reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.96) when adjusted for core confounding factors. The results were otherwise not statistically significantly related to the number of binge episodes (with a maximum of 12) and timing of binge drinking.


Conclusions We found no systematic association between binge drinking during early pregnancy and child intelligence. However, binge drinking reduced the risk of low, full-scale IQ in gestational weeks 1–2. This finding may be explained by residual confounding.

Could someone please translate these last few sentences? I consider myself a fairly literate person but this has me confused...

Ha, it means there were less low IQ kids amongst those whose mothers drank in the first two weeks, but they note they may be able to use confounding factors (that is, adjusting) to adjust those.

This is what they are reporting that was odd; but they note in the article that it may simply be incorrect.

I don't think it is that odd - there is other evidence that children of moderate drinkers actually have better outcomes than abstainers, and people thought that it might be attributable to the fact that higher intelligence/higher income women tend to drink more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:!

.

Its obviously undetectable until birth unless major issues are present.

It often takes far longer than birth to detect problems that result from use of alcohol when pregnant. Often problems aren't detected until mid to late ES.

Right, but at that point, it is difficult to pin the cause down, or to even know if they are alchohol related. A huge amount of kids have learning issues and social issues without having any alcohol exposure.

In reality, how often is the cause of those social and learning issues actually explored? When a child has attention problems or is impulsive or has judgment issues. When a child struggles with math. When a child has sensory problems. When height and/or weight are below the tenth percentile. How often does a doctor ask "well did you drink during your pregnancy and how much?" I doubt if that question is asked very often at all. By that point, the damage is done and knowing the cause doesn't really help with dealing with the problems.

You are trying to make the OP feel bad based on pure speculation. I have a SN kid and know many, many parents who are desperately searching for answers for why their kids are the way they are. The behavioral problems and issues you describe occur in children whose parents don't drink at all, like my Mormon and Muslim friends, and of course we all know many, many "normal" kids whose mothers drank in moderation throughout pregnancy. Think "the entire continent of Europe," for example. How does that factor in?

Not trying to make OP feel bad at all. Just answering other issues that arose naturally during the conversations. The characteristics/disabilities I identified are those known to kids on the FASD spectrum. Yes they occur in kids whose bio mom didn't drink. But, my point is this. When kids go to specialists with these issues, the doctors don't inquire into the alcohol consumption of the moms. They address the problems of the kids. There is no point to the former since it doesn't make a difference on the outcome.

Your comment on the entire continent of Europe is interesting. We've heard throughout this thread that moms in Europe are advised not to drink during pregnancy and there is no study cited showing that pregnant European women disregard this advice. So, not sure what you are getting at.

I am also the mom of SN kids. I have an adopted child with FASD and I can tell you from experience that not once has anyone asked about alcohol usage with respect to either of my children's prenatal life. I can also tell you that no one will document that my FASD child is actually FASD despite the fact that he is below the first percentile for height and weight and he suffers from every single cognitive/neurological problem associated with FASD except for difficulty with math, and he has some of the major medical problems associated with prenatal alcohol use. It is the illness that no one wants to admit to or acknowledge. And, my experience is pretty typical of that of other parents with FASD kids that I associate with.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I don't want to minimize your situation with your child, because it am sure that you are doing a great job and you sound really engaged and informed. But your logic sounds sketchy since you are essentially diagnosing your adopted child with FASD even though your doctors disagree?

Also saying that no women in Europe drink while they're pregnant is 100 percent crazy talk. Do you even know any Europeans? I think at least one of the studies cited here was ON European women.

Please provide a citation for research that proves children born to moderate drinkers have an increased incidence of the low birth weight and other disorders that you claim. Perhaps the doctors aren't asking about maternal alcohol consumption BECAUSE it's not a cause of the disabilities you describe, not in spite of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I don't want to minimize your situation with your child, because it am sure that you are doing a great job and you sound really engaged and informed. But your logic sounds sketchy since you are essentially diagnosing your adopted child with FASD even though your doctors disagree?


Thank you for the compliment. I try hard. No, I am not diagnosing my child against medical professional opinions. Thing is that when you have a FASD child, it can be hard for those that work with your child to really grasp the issues. So, as weird as it sounds, you have to fight to get the diagnosis recognized so that you can get adequate supports and services to help your child be successful. And, it's tough because no one wants to commit and actually say the words. It's not that no one will, it's just that most will dance around it and avoid it.

Also saying that no women in Europe drink while they're pregnant is 100 percent crazy talk. Do you even know any Europeans? I think at least one of the studies cited here was ON European women.

No, just saying that I haven't heard evidence showing that Europeans have any different advice on the use of alcohol during pregnancy than we do in the US and that I haven't seen any evidence that bio mothers disregard that advice routinely, except maybe in Russia, where FAS and FASD are common in orphanage kids due to the alcohol use of bio moms.

Please provide a citation for research that proves children born to moderate drinkers have an increased incidence of the low birth weight and other disorders that you claim. Perhaps the doctors aren't asking about maternal alcohol consumption BECAUSE it's not a cause of the disabilities you describe, not in spite of it.

My point is that I'm not sure that such research exists because we are so reluctant to explore the issue so we don't know. We know the conditions that are caused by alcohol use during pregnancy, but when we see those conditions in kids, I'm wondering if we are exploring the relationship or just treating the condition. From what I hear from SN parents, I suspect the latter. I don't necessarily disagree with this - it does no good to make people feel bad about what they can't change. But, it should not give us comfort and peace to drink during pregnancy. And, I do not mean this to say that I believe a drink once a month matters, but somewhere between nothing and a fifth of Vodka a day is a problem. And the issue is that we don't know where that line is so everyone has to figure out their own comfort level without real empirical evidence.

[Anonymous]

The thing is, pp, your list of issues other than low growth sounds just like those common to preemies and kids on the spectrum. They are signs of mild neurological disorder/damage. And there are thousands of causes, from lack of oxygen at birth to genetic issues to autism. It's damn murky. And for most children of alovoholics, many other things are comorbid. So, again, it seems like the diagnosis isn't as important as the symptoms. I'm surprised though that given the low growth nobody has suggested fasd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing is, pp, your list of issues other than low growth sounds just like those common to preemies and kids on the spectrum. They are signs of mild neurological disorder/damage. And there are thousands of causes, from lack of oxygen at birth to genetic issues to autism. It's damn murky. And for most children of alovoholics, many other things are comorbid. So, again, it seems like the diagnosis isn't as important as the symptoms. I'm surprised though that given the low growth nobody has suggested fasd.

I agree with you. Thing is that it seems like it would be worth more exploration since alcohol use is preventable, yet it seems to be ignored or overlooked. But, like I said, there is good reason - why make someone feel bad when they can't change it. Energy needs to be focused on making the child successful. That being said, no one should take comfort from lack of studies.

And, you are so right when you say the low growth should clue people in about my sons condition. You would not believe how tiny he is compared to most kids his age. Some people get it, but most really do not. FASD really is the unspoken/unrecognized disability.

[Anonymous]

1. Your kid is probably okay. Drop the guilt and do the best you can moving forward - the best being abstinence, of course.

2. It sounds like you might be an alcoholic. Having 3-6 drinks on a regular basis is A LOT. Get to a 12-step mtg, stat, and try a therapist while you're at it. You really need to get support to stay on the wagon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Your kid is probably okay. Drop the guilt and do the best you can moving forward - the best being abstinence, of course.

2. It sounds like you might be an alcoholic. Having 3-6 drinks on a regular basis is A LOT. Get to a 12-step mtg, stat, and try a therapist while you're at it. You really need to get support to stay on the wagon.

Okay, I just read your other message that you might have had 3-6 drinks 10 times in 8 weeks. So, it sounds like you have 3-6 drinks once or twice a week. Which is still potentially problematic, but not always - I wonder how it's been if you don't drink? In any case, a therapist is never a bad bet.