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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

In Agony - Did Anyone Else Binge Drink Before They Knew?

110 replies

tsmith02162013 · 24/02/2013 08:07

I am absolutely out of my mind with grief and need advice from real moms. The doctors I have spoken to have been so dismissive of my concerns, but everything I have read (and ever fiber in my body) tells me that something is WRONG.

I did not know I was pregnant. At what we now know to be four weeks (exactly) into the pregnancy, I drank two bottles of wine BY MYSELF in one night, over 5 or 6 hours. I was not sick at all, and I had no problems the next day. So, I drank more the next day- 3 drinks. And then I drank again the next day- 4 drinks.

I realized I was supposed to start my period the day after that, and to just put my mind at ease, I took a pregnancy test, which was POSITIVE.

My doctors say that they don't have enough data on binge drinking in early pregnancy, but they think I am probably fine. I just want to know if there is ANYONE who has had as much to drink as I did at 4 weeks pregnant and then went on to have a healthy child. I am SO SCARED of having caused permanent brain damage to the baby, and I am seriously considering abortion because I feel like this is a hopeless situation.

OP posts:

Report

hattymattie · 24/02/2013 08:11

I did have about 5 glasses of wine and a rum punch thing one night at the beginning of pregnancy - discovered over the christmas period. Felt very guilty when I knew but she's absolutely brilliant.

KamikazeeKid · 24/02/2013 08:11

You'll be fine! I did with ds1 and hes fine! I partied more than what you had too! Was supposed to me my month off TTC!! I also ate every prohibited food.

Don't worry baby will be fine

So many people find out post drinking.

SweepTheHalls · 24/02/2013 08:13

got absolutely hammeted on Champagne celebrating my SIL engagement when I must have been 3.5 weeks, he is a fine, healthy 4yr olf now. stop panicking.

KamikazeeKid · 24/02/2013 08:13

I mean before I found out I was pregnant obviously :-) the important thing is not to drink now you know.

Same this time....fell pregnant over the xmas party period!

WipsGlitter · 24/02/2013 08:13

My GP said the number of women who do this is huge. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome involves sustained drinking throughout your pregnancy. Relax, it will be fine.

SunshineOutdoors · 24/02/2013 08:14

The weekend before I got my bfp with dd I drank loads. In one night me and dh shared a full bottle of vodka then moved onto wine and I think there was whisky involved too. She's fine. 18 months and no problems/issues with development. I know it's difficult but please don't worry. You're obviously not going to do it again now you know.

FunnyBird · 24/02/2013 08:14

Don't do anything rash. This is not a hopeless situation.
Plenty of people drink before they know they are pregnant. Many do worse.
I'm sure someone with actual facts will be along to help. Please don't worry.

FunnyBird · 24/02/2013 08:14

X posts
Phew!

flubba · 24/02/2013 08:16

With DD1 (now a healthy 6 year old) we hosted a massive house party and I got smashed. Found out I was pg the next day (same as you in that I took a pg test to ease my mind to get my period to come on).

With DD2 (now a healthy 4 year old) I went out on a hen do. FWIW the drink didn't seem to really affect me so I drank loads.

You will be fine and your baby will be fine. Congratulations by the way :)

dinkystinky · 24/02/2013 08:16

Its really common - I certainly did have a couple of heavy blow out nights in super early pregnancy all 3 times! Yes in an ideal world you wouldn't but given it can take anything from months to years to get pregnant, and it can take a while to figure out you are pregnant, it happens a lot. My 2 boys are fine - bright sweet sociable boys. What is important is what you do now - take the folic acid, have a healthy balanced diet and exercise programming and try not to worry (as long term stress is also shown to be a stress factor for babies).

fruitpastille · 24/02/2013 08:18

Try not to worry. I also drank a good bottle and a half of wine before i knew. I had a friend who didn't know she was pregnant till 5 months and was travelling, drinking, scuba diving etc. All was fine. I think fetal alcohol syndrome occurs where there is prolonged drinking?

Lionsntigersnbears · 24/02/2013 08:19

Tsmith, calm down ! It's okay. Look firstly the embryo can take a long time to even implant. You're born with all the eggs you'll ever have already there- the ovaries don't make them as you go along so no need to worry really before implantation. Then The embryo is under its own steam for quite a while, so chances are you were barely pg when you had your major binge. Yes alcohol in pg isn't good but until last century people in cities routinely drank nothing but, admittedly weak, beer or wine as the water was so polluted. Their children didn't come out with mutant powers! Please this is nothing near as bad as you're worried about! Plenty of babies are conceived on nights of drunken passion, plenty of babies are conceived on drunken hols ! ( my dd for example) if the drs aren't worried there is no reason to be worried yourself.

SlinkyB · 24/02/2013 08:20

I went on a hen weekend and drank half a bottle of champagne, numerous large glasses of wine and then went onto the shots (jagerbombs). I was properly hammered.

I got 'period pains' the next day and was sure I'd come on soon. Turned out I was a few weeks pg (3-4 weeks IIRC).

Ds is 2yo now and is, and always has been, perfectly healthy.

Were you ttc-ing? Please don't think about abortion so quickly. I'm pretty sure you'd have to drink extremely heavily throughout the pregnancy to damage your baby (I know there will be rare cases where people have been unlucky, but you should probably listen to your doctor).

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 24/02/2013 08:21

I got absolutely hammered at my wedding, later found out I was 4 weeks pregnant with DS1.

I got absolutely hammered at my brother's wedding. Later found out I was 4 weeks pregnant with DS2.

That early the egg isn't implanted and there is no placenta so nothing gets to the egg.

Relax

LeBFG · 24/02/2013 08:27

Damage due to drinking so early on is much more likely to lead to a miscarriage than cause any lasting damage. As others say, once the placenta is hooked into your bloodstream then it's a different matter. PLEASE try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy . Congratulations btw.

Hattifattner · 24/02/2013 08:30

I was celebrating with a friend and DH....we were all pie-eyed, and thought it might be a jolly idea to POAS while inebriated. I could not even focus on the line...the following morning, the cold reality kicked in with a hangover from hell.

She is a lovely smart gorgeous 16yo now. DOnt worry.

bonzo77 · 24/02/2013 08:37

Before the placenta takes over from the yolk sac at about 8 weeks the embryo is protected from your blood stream and most things that you take. A very convenient protective mechanism indeed as most of us have no idea we are pregnant until AF is due by which time you are officially 4 weeks!

PurplePidjin · 24/02/2013 08:38

My lmp was 24/2/2012. I got completely blasted in St Patrick's Day, found out i was pg a week before easter.

Ds is currently feeding happily while playing with my necklace. A chilled, happy, alert 3mo baby.

They were designed to withstand first time parents and are protected accordingly. Now, get thee to the chemist for some proper vitamins and have dh/p wait on you hand and foot - you're creating a whole new person! :o

Spoonful · 24/02/2013 08:41

This must happen loads.

I know someone who was working in the city and out with clients all the time, drinking but not just drinking, who only realised she was pregnant at four and a half months. Her doctor said not to worry and her DD is about 8 now, and fine.

Don't panic.

forgottenpassword · 24/02/2013 08:44

Honestly I think a HUGE number of us will have done similar. The doctors have to say what they did to protect themselves but it will be fine. Absolutely no need to worry. Congratulations to you too.

atrcts · 24/02/2013 08:44

You are right that alcohol is bad for baby and especially in the first trimester where the brain growth is important, but what you may have overlooked is that there are another 8 weeks of your first trimester left in which to allow the baby's little brain to develop beautifully so long as you keep away from the bottle from now on!

Loads of people have too much alcohol in the first month of pregnancy because they are not aware of being pregnant and it certainly is not a reason to abort! Foetal alcohol syndrome occurs with Mum's who drink throughout the whole of the baby's development, not just the first month.

You are ok at just 4 weeks.

Locketjuice · 24/02/2013 08:45

Me, this pregnancy before i knew and last. Last I got so so so drunk I could barely walk/talk then a week later I found out I was pregnant

Baby's fine

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DisAstrophe · 24/02/2013 08:58

I drank half a bottle of strong red wine 2 or 3 times before I found out I was pregnant at 4.5 weeks.

Ds does have learning difficulties and autism. He is now being investigated for genetic issues

But I have had many a sleepless night wishing I'd not drank and wishing I'd taken pre-natal vitamins before oh so casually trying to conceive. It wasn't much alcohol and I had a good diet but perhaps ds was predisposed to be more affected by these things and I could have protected him more.

Op - your dc will v v likely be fine. The odds really are heavily in your favour. I just wanted to tell the other side of the story for anyone reading who is ttc and being blase about drink.

DisAstrophe · 24/02/2013 08:58

I drank half a bottle of strong red wine 2 or 3 times before I found out I was pregnant at 4.5 weeks.

Ds does have learning difficulties and autism. He is now being investigated for genetic issues

But I have had many a sleepless night wishing I'd not drank and wishing I'd taken pre-natal vitamins before oh so casually trying to conceive. It wasn't much alcohol and I had a good diet but perhaps ds was predisposed to be more affected by these things and I could have protected him more.

Op - your dc will v v likely be fine. The odds really are heavily in your favour. I just wanted to tell the other side of the story for anyone reading who is ttc and being blase about drink.

TheDoctrineOfSciAndNatureClub · 24/02/2013 09:07

Yep, night out with old workmates. DS1 is fine.

Dis, I am sorry about your son. I can understand your feelings but it is incredibly unlikely the drinking had anything to do with the LDs.

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