Alcohol before I knew I was expecting

[Mommy2be121208]

I am over 35 and about 6 weeks pregnant.  For the 4 weeks that I didn't know that I was pregnant and for several years before that, I drank very heavily (average 4+ drinks per day and a lot of binging).  The day I found out I was pregnant, I stopped and of course will continue to abstain.  I know that it's the continued alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy that can cause FAS and a whole host of other problems, however even though I have and will abstain from now on, i wonder if all the alcohol that I drank for years and for the 4 weeks up until I found out that I was pregnant could have an impact on the fetus.  Also, I wonder if the abrupt ceasing of alcohol may have done something as well.  

I have tried to look on-line, but all the sites that come up are about drinking during pregnancy, not about drinking before pregnancy.  

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[adgal]

First off, congratulations on your pregnancy.  In terms of drinking for the 4 weeks you didn't know you were pregnant, you kind of have to look at it like this:  If you are counting the way your dr. does, which would be from the first day of last period, then for the first two weeks you weren't actually pregnant.  Thats just how they count.  From ovulation & fetilization, it take anywhere from 6 - 10 days for implantation during which the baby isn't taking anything from your body, in other words, the drinking couldn't have hurt.  So really, its only 1 week that it was getting the alcohol, and its unlikely you did any damage.  Your right, FAS usually required a lot of alcohol throughout your pregnancy.  Many many of us had a few too many during the time we didn't know.

As for the drinking before, I would think the only real problem would be your overall general health.  Only your Dr. can tell you that.  I would have a really honest conversation with your Dr.  No need to be embarrassed, I gurantee he/she has heard similar stories and situations before.  I also don't think the abrupt ceasing of alchol is a bad thing...your baby will thank you for it.  But I really do think its important to talk to your Dr. openly and honestly.  If nothing else, it will help put your mind at ease.

I wish you well, and I hope this helped a little bit.