Re:the drinking and smoking post WHILE PREGNANT?

Question

I first of all WOULD NOT drink or smoke knowing I was pregnant

BUT I just took the test (positive) and have been pregnant for 11-12 weeks (I think but havent been to doc yet) by my calendar that should be pretty accurate. I did however drink beer only (6-12 a night, 2-3 nights a week) and smoke lightly 3-10 a day for the first 9 weeks that I didnt know.

Now for me being so early on in the pregnancy is it possible that I have caused any harm?
I am NOT drinking or smoking now.
From people I have talked to they say I have nothing to worry about because it is too early. (are they just saying that to make me feel better?)

Also I have been noticing slight-mild cramping..is it possible to cause harm from beer and cigs so early on?

Thank you for the responses. I feel a little more relieved..I was not 'trying' to get pregnant but we werent very careful either. Which is my fault...we normally do the pull out method which I know is not the safe way to go.
I quit both cigs and beer cold turkey and I have a doctors appointment Thursday afternoon.
I eat healthy and normally dont drink THAT much but I moved in with my fiance and we were doing a little too much engagement celebration :)

Answer 1

Doctors cannot tell you definitely at what point in pregnancy alcohol will affect the fetus (FAS) which is why it is recommended that NO alcohol be consumed during pregnancy.
Smoking while pregnant can cause many different problems.

For both issues you need to talk to your OB. If you are having trouble quitting smoking then tell your doctor. They can help.

There is nothing that can be done to correct any damage that may have already occurred. However, you greatly minimize the risk to your unborn child by starting on healthy habits now. Start taking prenatal vitamins if you aren't already, don't drink anymore, don't smoke anymore, drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods.

Most of all, make an appointment with an OB NOW and be completely honest with them.

Best of luck to you and to your baby.


Edited to add: Some mild cramping early in pregnancy is normal. The uterus will feel as if it is cramping while stretching to accomodate the fetus.

Good for you for quitting as soon as you found out, but please, be honest about everything that you did before finding out you were pregnant. The doctor can only work with the information available to him, and the more he/she knows the more they can help you and your child.

Answer 2

Some people can be so judgemental, eh?

Lots of babies are made when momma's been drinking. Sometimes a person doesn't know for sure for a while. Doesn't sound as if you've gone way overboard and it always depends on how short or long a time it took you to consume those beers. Better a few beers than binging on pints of rye.

Good chances your baby is fine and will be fine. Most of the damage done to unborn babies from alcohol is done if mum drinks heavily during the last trimester.

As for smoking, I've had 7 kids going on 8, smoked (though lightly) through all pregnancies and have never had a miscarriage, low weight or preterm birth (all 7 - almost 9 pounds) and never had constantly sick kids. 1 or 2 days home from school a year, tops. No ear infections or asthma, no still births or SIDS.

Worry is worse for you than any of this. Leave the drink alone for now. Cut back or quit your smoking. Eat healthy and smile - That's what your baby needs the most right now.

A note- I know lots of women who take a glass of wine or half a beer with dinner (it's a cultural thing) and their children are all syndrome free, normal and healthy. Don't let the alarmist's panic you. No one really knows for sure. Not all babies born to mothers who drink heavily (most do, though) are born with FAS.

Answer 3

Yes, sorry to say but all the organs, body part, everything develops in the first 12 weeks, from then on the baby just gets bigger. You probably are at a higher risk of your baby having fetal alcohol syndrom, and the neurological developments have already occured at this point, however, it is not a definate thing. I knew a girl that didn't find out she was pregnant for about 6 months and had been drinking, but not quite as heavy as you. She was a weekend drinker, and 6-12 3-4 times a weeks is alot. YOu may be able to test for this through amnio, but I am not too sure. Be honest with your doctor about your health practices in your early preganacy, and get those vitamines into you. Hopefully you had a good diet during that time, because early pregnancy is the most sensative time, and crutial for development. Good luck.

Answer 4

The first question would be were you trying to get pregnant because if you were then shame on you, because you should have stopped all of that knowing that you could be pregnant at anytime expecally if you were actively trying, however if you were not trying and you quit everything the drinking the smoking and anything else you may have been doing the moment you knew you were pregnant then you should have stopped early enough to not effect the baby. However if you knew you were pregnant and continued to do your bad habits then yes there is a good possibility that the cramping you are feel is in some way connected and I would advise you to get look at right away

Answer 5

Yes, it is possible to harm the developing fetus with smoking and/or alcohol. The first trimester is crucial in development, so many things can and often do go wrong. If you are even trying to get pregnant, you should stop smoking and drinking, that's pretty much a common sense thing, especially the smoking.

However, the cramping may not be cramping, per se, it could be your uterus stretching. It is a muscle, and it along with your abdominal muscles will start getting stretched out now. Please see a doctor very quickly, you need to be evaluated for pre-natal care, and start taking vitamins. You should have scheduled an appointment as soon as you realized you were pregnant, but please do so now, for your health and the health of your baby. And then be honest with the doctor about your alcohol consumption and cigarette use before realizing your were expecting. Good luck!

Answer 6

all of the baby's development vital organs are formed in the 1st 14 weeks SO ANY DRINKING DRUG use during the 1st 14 weeks is the most dangerous. People who say oh you are early are not educated on fetal development. THE MOST critical time in the baby's whole development is NOW. After 14 weeks everything is in place and growing and maturing before everything is just forming. I would check on line and look at early development weeks 1-14 you may better understand just how important the early weeks actually are. With that in mind do not panic you can't change it accept you did not know you were pregnant from now on make sure you don't in danger the baby anymore. LET your doctor know so they can keep a closer look on things and maybe check to see if ny damage was done. CONGRATS

Answer 7

6 to 12 beers A NIGHT?? OMG.

It sounds like you're at the end of your first trimester. During the first trimester is when all the truly important things happen--the organs are formed, the circulatory system starts working, the bones are formed. The second and third trimesters are basically just used for letting the baby grow and get bigger/mature.

Whatever harm was done has been done.

Answer 8

I am 32 weeks pregnant myself and did the exact same thing my doctor told me it most definatly could be a problem but not to stress about it. I did not know I was pregnant until 11 weekes so I had the same worries. So far I have had prefect pregnacy, all the measurements have been good my blood work has been prefect. That does not mean I am in the clear the effects could happen later on after the baby is born. not trying to scare you just being honest.

Answer 9

Yes it could cause damage most of the baby's development happens in the first 3 months. This doesn't mean it has happened to your baby. Just be up front with the doctor whenever you do go and see what he/she says. Congrats on your pregnancy.

Congrats on being able to stop and I am sure you are not the only mother who has drank or smoked before they found out they were pregnant. Good Luck

Answer 10

Most people have at least a few drinks before they realize they are pregnant (I know I did -- both times). The fact that you've quit alcohol and cigs cold turkey now that you know is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. Your friends are right, it is to early for you to have done serious harm to your baby.

The slight cramping you are feeling is probably just your uterus growing and your body adjusting to being pregnant. Very normal!