[babyinthehouse]

I just found out that I am pregnant. I didn't know and am guessing that I am around the 4-4 1/2 month area. Because I didn't know that I was pregnant I was going out to drink regularly and I still smoke cigarettes. I started to bleed the day that I would have normally gone out to party and drink. Is that normal or is my child going through withdraws? Is it possible that I have created brain damage to the child unknowingly?

[DoulaLC]

Hi babyinthehouse,

While it is possible that your baby will show effects from the drinking and smoking, you won't know until you either have something show up on an ultrasound, until after baby is born, or possibly until later when they are in school (some learning disabilities are not picked up until school age).

Certainly there are babies, whose mothers did the same, either knowingly or unknowingly, who are perfectly fine.

There can be a number of possible reasons for bleeding in pregnancy, and it would always be wise to keep your doctor informed. Often it is not a medical concern, but your doctor would want to rule out any possible problems.

At this stage all you can do is make the lifestyle changes that you know would be healthy and wise.