Hello,

I just found out that I'm pregnant today & for the last 3-4 weeks have been drinking alcohol quite a bit with my hubby. A bit during the week & have been to some big party's on the weekends (Mainly beer). I think its only early days, as its just a month now from my last period. (I've done a test & it was positive)

We'll I think it was a month ago... Because I get a lot of spotting for 5 days or so & then 2 days of bleeding. Its always been like this since I had a miscarriage 3 years ago & had to go to hospital etc. Anyway...

I'm terrified that I may have done some damage to the baby's development with drinking so much lately. Has anyone had some personal experience with drinking before they knew they were pregnant? And did it all work out OK or was there problems?

Thanks so much :)

Kristy

If you have had a miscarriage in the past, it is hard to believe that you consume this much (if any) alcohol and still want to have a baby. The reason I say this is because, already, a woman who has had one miscarriage, is more likely to have another - plus with your drinking alcohol, this is an added strike against you.

However, although no level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe, your drinking might be the least bit of concern. The ultimate determination of your ability to have a baby may lie in the reason for your past miscarriage.

This is something your Doctor would discuss with you. In most cases, the cause of miscarriage in some women is can never be determined, however.

If your miscarriage was not from a condition e.g. an acute infection, grandular disorder, X-ray, exploratory surgery, or from the use of a variety of drugs, including antibiotics you still have a equal chance of having a successful pregnancy. For that reason I suggest that you visit a doctor to confirm the results of your pregnancy test and confirm that your current pregnancy is going smoothly since seventy-five percent of all miscarriages occur within the first three months and are usually symptomless.

Hope this answers your question!

REFERENCE(S)

1. March of Dimes, Medical References: Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy(Online: March of Dimes, 2006) www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1170.asp

2. MayoClinic.com, Understanding miscarriage(Online: MayoClinic.com, 2006) www.mayoclinic.com/health/miscarriage/PR00097

I would say I do hope everything works out for you, but many women who are serious about becoming pregnant and they do the utmost to make sure they themselves are healthy months before they even plan to try. For example, no alcohol, no smoking, Nothing with artificial dyes and colours and preservatives. Taking folic acid and a prenatal, or Just a prenatal depending on your history. Taking these several months before planning to become pregnant. Healthier lifestyle all around will improve your chanches.

Hello, thanks for your thoughts.

This was an unexpected pregnancy as my husband & I were going to try for children next year (now being 2007) & I was going to stop drinking alcohol at the end of December. But as things turned out (not being as careful as we should have) things happened earlier.

As soon as I found out I didn't drink another drop & started taking pregnancy multivitamins that include folic acid. I also make sure I have a healthy diet (I usually do anyway). After re-reading my comments, it may have come across that I sound irresponsible but after my miscarriage 3 years ago (which was also a surprise) I'm anything but.

I guess that's what got me so worried because it wasn't the start I wanted for our baby at all, I wanted to give it the best possible chance at a healthy life & still plan to!

So far, all is going well & last week I got to see the foetal heartbeat.

Thanks once again for your comments.

Kristy :)

My wife and I have had a similar dilema. I do feel for you, and hope your pregnancy went well. I think you want to know, that you are not a bad person, for something which you know could potentially cause harm, but you never had any intention to do harm. Life is full of risks. No-one is perfect.

After celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary, with no children, and spending a couple of nights out with friends, where she did have a bit more than usual to drink, we found out that she is pregnant. We discovered this after 2 weeks; But they were 2 weeks that had involved a few more celebrations than usual.

From what I understand, the risks are increased by a few percent, but if we act now, and try to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible (absolutely no alcohol) our chances should still be 90-95% or better for a completely normal pregnancy, (depending on who you read), vs 95% best case in our situation with no alcohol.

I am grateful for the chance I have been given to become a parent after all this time, and will be thankful, no matter what challenges we may bepresented with later on.