alcohol in early pregnancy

I know this question has been asked a thousand times but I haven't found the answers I need so here it goes.  

A little history.  My last AF was April, I had no AF in May, took hpt and was neg. on several occasions.  Went to doc in May had neg. beta hcg.  Started taking provera to trigger cycle on the 6th day of provera I felt really funny and took another hpt and was positive.  Shocked I called doc and did another beta hcg to confirm pg, POSITIVE!!

So here is my question, My husband and I drink wine and beer, we we're on vacation for 13 days just after I started taking provera and we drank just about every night and had several 3 to 4 drinks a night.  I'm am really freaking out because I've read alcohol can cause birth defects in first trimester.  Do you think I've done any damage?  I stopped drinking as soon as I had the pos hpt.  

Thanks to everyone for any comments you might have concerning this.

[Purple Hugs]

I'm sure you'll be fine ((hugs)) it's natural to worry, but unless you were drinking 24/7 and hard stuff then i wouldn't worry. If you are still worried speak to your midwife/Dr as I'm sure they'll alleviate your fears.. don't forget how long the first trimester is too.

oh and Congratulations! :)

[belladawn]

Thanks so much for your comment.  That makes me feel better.

[markysmom]

I have read / heard that the first few weeks your body naturally protects the baby from alcohol. I am not 100% sure, but I know I read this somewhere.
I don't mean binge drinking every night..but I think if you had a few drinks for a week or two and it was very early on and you take care of yourself and take the appropriate vitamins and precautions now...
I would also discuss your concerns with your doc.

Good luck and congrats

[Sunshine912]

I had a drink every other night and even the night before I found out I was pregnant. I took a test on the day I was supposed to start which was negative and 2 days later and  still took another test which was negative. Finally around a week later, I got a positive. I am almost 33 weeks pregnant and I have had 3 ultrasounds with additional test that say the baby is healthy. I told my Dr about the drinking before and she said that the baby should be healthy and to not drink anymore. She was not worried at all. I was scared as you were, thinking that I have harmed my baby and I cried for weeks afterward. I believe God protects the baby in the beginning because most women who are shocked to find out they are pregnant and were not expecting to get pregnant have taken some kind of medicine or alcohol in the first few weeks. The problem is when women find out they are pregnant and keep drinking or doing wrong to their body as well as their baby and don't care. Cigarettes for example, it harms the fetus and they continue to do it because all they care about is their habit. Don't worry! Don't drink anymore like you mentioned and everything should be OK.

[1twinmom]

I agree with everyone. Your baby should be fine. I've known lots of women who drank long before they know they were pregnant. I've told the story before about my sister-in-law who didn't think she could ever have children. She likes to drink wine with dinner everynight and there was one occasion that she was doing shots of Tequila. Her son is perfectly fine. Stopping now is the best and only thing you can do. I have to admit that for a treat once a month I take 1/4 cup of wine and mix it with club soda in a LARGE wine glass with ice and sip on it. What I can't wait to have again is a large fountain Diet Pepsi (fountain pop tastes better than canned or bottled!)

[3isacharm]

Sorry to hear you are so worried.  Just wanted to let you know that I used to work in a restaurant and a co-worker of mine had a 4 year old daughter.  She and I were chatting one day and she said she was so happy to have a healthy child because when she conceived she was a barmaid and used to drink every night she only realized she was pregnant at around 8 or 9 weeks.  I also have a friend from France and she says that in France they allow pregnant women to drink a glass of wine per day.  Hope that helps ;)

[JDLAWSON]

GO Ahead and Have your Diet Pepsi--Once in awhile--Even if you are pregnant--there is no reason not to have something once in awhile---Otherwise there will be a binge period where you will overdue--If you are worried about the caffenine--try and get a diet pepsi caffenine free--I know it is not fountain--but at least you will get your fix.  Have a good rest of your pregnancy.

[1twinmom]

I know once and a while won't hurt. I do drink diet 7up with splenda once in a while because they "say" splenda doesn't cross the placenta. Nutra-sweet on the other hand, after your body metabolizes it, turns into formaldehyde and I feel really bad having that in my system with the little tikes in there.

[belladawn]

Thanks guys!!!  All of your comments and support make me feel so much better.  Hugs to you all!!