Drinking and Smoking Early Stages Pregnancy?

Question

How harmful to your baby is it in the early stages of pregnancy when you have smoked and drunk before knowing you are pregnant? I know that some woman don't even know they are pregnant for about 3 months and they have done all these things without knowing!

Answer 1

In the early weeks, the things that you do have little effect. If you drink or smoke or take Aleve or anything like that, it is highly unlikely that any damage will be done to the baby. Like the others have said, though, now that you know, you have to be very safe about what you put into your body.

- I asked my doc about this when I was pregnant because I found out at 6 weeks, and for the 6 weeks before that, I was drinking a lot (spring break and all). My daughter is perfectly healthy, but I didn't drink a drop after i found out.

Answer 2

Drinking and smoking in the early stages of pregnancy can do a lot of damage to the baby. It also depends on how long and how much. It is best to quit ASAP to prevent anymore damage to the baby and the baby's development. I had some drinks a week before I started having symptoms of being pregnant and before I missed my period. A lot of women do experience this, because they simply do not know. There was very little done to the baby if anything. (I only drink once in a blue moon and that weekend happen to be a BBQ going on). Playing sports are okay as long as they are not high impact sports, such as soccer or football. The doctor is not going to want you doing anything that can cause you to fall, get off balance or to have physical contact with your belly. You need to protect the baby with all your power.

Answer 3

Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that is transmitted to the developing baby. That is the reason that smokers tend to have smaller babies than non smokers. It also causes the baby's heart rate to increase.
Drinking, any amount, during any stage of pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Some babies are born with this - it's a terrible waste since had their mother not drunk alcohol, they would have been perfectly normal - when the mother was a light drinker - only the occasional drink. It can also happen to a heavy drinker. The outcome is the same - abnormal facial features, behavior problems, learning disabilities.
Bottom line - If you're planning to get pregnant - it's time to stop smoking and drinking before you get pregnant.
If you find out you are pregnant - stop immediately. It's not just your health that is at stake. And, recently, OB's and hospital OB clinics are arranging for their patients to begin on nicotine patches, lozenges or gum.

Answer 4

I was smoking and drinking before I found out that I was pregnant. The important thing is to STOP once you find out. My son is happy and healthy!

Answer 5

No one really knows. If you are pregnant and smoking and drinking you should stop.

Answer 6

The baby recieves everything that you consume, so if you smoked before the baby has already consumed nicotine, and drinking is never good, I dont reccomend drinking throught the pregnancy either at the begining or ending......and smoking should be cut back on, i am 27weeks and maybe smoke 5 ciggs a day and everything seems to be well but it doesnt mean the baby wont devolp nething after he/she is born, so smoking and drinking should be cut out.......it can cause an miscarrige....so becareful.......................

Answer 7

It is very harmful to drink anytime during pregnancy . Smoking isn't good either but not as bad for the fetus .

Answer 8

Its EXTREMLY HARMFUL in the early stages ESPECIALLY because the early stages are when the baby's rapidly develpoing all it's body parts and organs. You need to quit immediatly, because you will deeply regret it...

Answer 9

My doctor told me it wasnt a big deal everyone needs time to find out so dont worry. :)