Drinking alcohol

Hi, Does drinking alcohol before knowing you are pregnant harm the baby? Before a missed period... I just found out I am pregnant and I used to drink 3 to 4 times a week, for about a year.  I always have had trouble getting pregnant after one miscarriage and many attempts. I also drank heavily  3 to four times a week for about two weeks after conception. I have stopped, have support and I'm planning on remaining sober for a life time.  I just need to know if I harmed my baby...

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I have never yet seen a case in which drinking before knowing about a pregnancy harmed a baby.  The only cases of fetal alcohol syndrome I have seen were in mothers who unfortunately consumed large quantities throughout the pregnancy.  We don't know the threshold for FAS, so we recommend no alcohol at all, but most people in the medical community think that is probably overkill, and many have a glass of wine or two during pregnancy, even after they do know!

MIght I suggest the 12 steps and AA?  If you think you might have a problem with drinking, that is the best organization I know of to help you discover whether or not you do, and to remain abstinent in a healthy well-balanced way if so.  Give it a try--they're in the phone book.


Good luck!
Dr B