Fetal alcohol syndrome

I found out I am about 2 months pregnant.  I am a very heavy drinker, and would like to know if there could be some damage to the fetus from all the drinking I have done. I am pretty concerned that from all this drinking, (getting drunk probably 4 days a week each time probably about 12 drinks).Now that I know I have been doing some research on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effect. Do you think I have anything to worry about if I stop now? Or is there still a chance my child could be born with an alcohol related birth defect?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
We don't know the threshhold amount of alcohol that is needed to cause fetal alcohol syndrome.  And, there is probably a genetic component too--in other words, some people can drink more than others without any resulting problems.
I DEFINITELY recommend stopping ASAP.  You may want to consider a visit to AA as it can be more difficult than you think to kick the habit!
I also have never personally seen FAS caused by drinking as early in the pregnancy as you are, and I suspect that things will be OK if you do stop now. Also, be sure to tell your MD the truth so that everything can be done--for example, if you were my patient, I would offer an early ultrasound to check for any problems with the baby's development.
Folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida--that is why we recommend that one.
I hope this helps!  I hope you can remain sober and have a healthy baby!
Good luck!
Dr B

[Myname_99]

if you are around two months you have a verry good posibilty of nothing being rong ! stop your drinking and get ur folic acid amidiatly along with helthy foods and ur prental vitamin amd your baby should be fine FETAL ACHOHOL SYNDROM (syndrome) normally wont occur unless youve been hevaly drinking throughout ur entire pregnacy like all nine months so take care of your slef keep ur stress levels down and i wish u the best of luck congrats!!!!

[ck28610]

Thanks for your post, some one else metioned folic acid? Why the importance of this? I have been taking a daily and it has folic in it.

[Myname_99]

folic acid helps a babys brain devlop you need a prental vitamin not just a daily a prentaly vitamin has the righ amonut of everything for you and your baby cangartas good luck

[lillibell]

I have just been researching a lot on the internet about alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

I am now just over 16 weeks pregnant. I found out when I was about 6 weeks pregnant and during the time before that had  had a phase of wild parties and socializing as I had just moved back home. I wass probably drinking up to or sometimes over 20 units a week. The stress of the unplanned pregnancy and the possibilities of termination resulted in me continuing our weekend's out drinking......up until the 12th week(as there was constant changes of mind between my partner and me over termination). After a decision was made to have the baby and I feel very happy I  have followed the guidelines and just drank about two or three  glasses of wine at the weekend(in the uk one to two units once or twice a week)....although this weekend I convinced myself that four glasses of wine might be ok. Have I been really stupid? I don't know what I was thinking.

I had a dating scan at 13 weeks and no obvious problems can be detected. As FAS can also depend on the individual genetic makeup and vunerability I now know that my mum drank during pregancy but problably less than I did in the early weeks.

So can I ask the following questions
Will my baby probably have FAS?
What are the statistics for women having babies with FAS?

Am really worried please help!

[lillibell]

Please can you respond to the above post concerning pregancy and alcohol...new to this site and probably posted it to the wrong person. Thank you