Alcohol

How dangerous is consuming alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Comments: Alcohol

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luvbeingamom - 1059 days ago.
I just wanted to share a very sad story. My niece is currently 10 years old and about to go into an institution for the rest of her life. Until about 2 years ago she was a normal (somewhat hyper) child. She was/is very sweet, loving, kind. She struggles a in school but has lots of help. Well the last few years she has gone down hill. She has been struggling more and more in school despite countless tutors, help from her parents and grandparents. She has also been starting to hurt herself. After consulting with many doctors she has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. the doctors have said that at best she will have the mental capabilities of a 14 yr old, but most likely she will never get past age 12. She will not only continue to hurt herself, but could progress to hurting others. She will never be able to deal with stressful situations or even her own emotions. Her parents have looked into several options and the instution they are sending her to is the best in the country and happily it is close to me, so we will be able to visit her regularly. She was adopted from Russia so there is no good history about her birth mother and no way to know how much she drank during her pregnancy. But i wanted to share this with you to make sure everyone knows that just b/c you don't see the effects of your drinking while pregnant when your LO is first born, or even 5 yrs old, doesn't mean that at age 10 they won't show the signs or worse be as bad off as my niece. My whole family is crying and heart broken over this. Please ladies, get help if you need it, seek support here or anywhere, but don't drink while pregnant. it is only 10 months. It isn't fair to your baby. Please think about it!

Mama-of-2boys - 1070 days ago.
Pretty- I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, and all the other stuff that you are having to go through. I really dont think that the doctors would say its ok to take something if in the end it would harm you or your unborn child. My best friend was going through a lot of stuff and they put her on prozac( if I spelt that right) and some other meds. Her baby is fine. I know about the constant worry though. You will be in my prayers, and Good Luck

prettyblueeyes - 1070 days ago.
well here's my story...If any one had a similar situation please write me and tell me how it turned out. My father, which I was very close to..committed suicide June 08, I found out I was pregnant the next month in August..really bad timing. I was drinking a lot but found out I was pregnant by 5 weeks and stopped but..because of so much depression and uncontrollable panic attacks..I have been on Pain meds, xanax and prozac..I'm due in June. I pray my baby's OK. But the doctors told me taking the drugs in this situation was better than not taking them. I also have chronic pain from a back injury and they have now put me on methadone at 27 weeks preggo. I would like to take nothing, but can't even get out of bed to take care of my 18 month old if I don't have my meds.because of physical and emotional pain. My baby girl is very active..I am now in counseling and trying to get this all worked out...I just pray baby is OK...say a lil prayer for me? I wouldn't wish losing a parent to suicide on my worst enemy and especially have to deal with it while pregnant.

pygmalin - 1071 days ago.
With my first I was only 19 when I found out I was pregnant..I was doing alot of experiementing with drugs and alcohol...I found out I was preggo when I was already 8 weeks...I stopped everything I was doing..he is a happy healthy 9 year old now...has some emotional issues but that is due to his fathers passing..I had the doc test him for everything because I was so afraid. Now I don't do anything I very rarely even have a drink..but I went to my high school reunion and got a little tipsy for 3 days....bam I get home and find out I preggo...freaked out again, but doc said not to worry as long as you stop, then everything should be okay. I sear alcohol makes me ovulate...lol

Mama-of-2boys - 1071 days ago.
I was like that with my first son, I had no clue I was even pregnant and of course was partying and drinking. As soon as I found out of course it all stopped but its hard to not 'worry' that you could have caused some damage. My son is 2 1/2 and is a smart beautiful happy growing little boy with no problems. I was almost 9 weeks when I found out that I was pregnant. I think this site is great bc it helps other women that are going through it right now to try not to worry, there is nothing that can be done if you didnt even know. Good luck ladies :)

BrandyD - 1071 days ago.
I thought I would share my story. Aug 2002 I turned 21 and went out drinking A LOT, a few of my friends also turned 21 around the same time. So it was pretty much a drunk-fest. By September I started to notice some crazy changes in myself, boobs being my first sign. Also I would get so tired when I would drink. I started to suspect something was up, took a HPT and it was +. I was already 9 weeks and freaking out. My son is now almost 6 with no issues. In fact he is pretty smart and a fast learner. So to the ladies that find themselves in the same boat I hope this brings you some comfort. Enjoy your pregnancies.

Laura Ward - 1072 days ago.
No more rude, judgemental or negative comments are needed in this forum, or any other forum on the site. Forums are on the site as a means of support, advice and friendship. Please continue to use them for their intended purpose. Any member being rude towards other members will be deleted without warning.

Ali*L - 1072 days ago.
Yea, I agree. My SIL was almost thru her first trimester when she found out and she drank frequently. She even drank almost a whole fifth of Patron on her birthday only to find out a few weeks later that she was 2 1/2 months prego. Her daughter is beautiful and perfect. The pain she suffered her entire pregnancy, wondering if her baby was going to be affected, is not something any woman should have to go through alone.

happyforest - 1072 days ago.
i drank before i knew i was pregnant also. i didnt find out until i was 5 or 6 weeks, and i wasnt ttc, so i had no way to know i was pregnant. i stopped as soon as i found out of course, but i was still worried. i was even more worried about my medicine, ativan, though bc i know if for sure causes heart defects if taken during pregnancy. my doctor said not to worry bc i didnt take it everyday and had only taken it a few times before i found out. in november i had a healthy baby boy!! im so lucky and happy. i think there is A HUGE difference between drinking before you know you are pregnant and AFTER you know you are pregnant!! the fact is NO ONE know how much or how little alcohol it takes to cause problems. for some women and babies it might take drinking everyday for 9 months, and for others it could not be so much. that is why its always better to be safe than sorry....

happily unexpected - 1073 days ago.
Thanks so much guys, that just made my day. I appreciate the support.

Mama-of-2boys - 1073 days ago.
I totally agree with watermelon, I to hope that your baby is ok and I'm sure he/she will be. Its great that you shared your story because now other women might stand up and speak.

Ali*L - 1073 days ago.
Happily- I hope every thing is fine with your baby. I am sure it is...I mean, our mothers where told it was okay to drink/smoke/etc. and we turned out okay, for the most part! lol And at least you know, that is the important thing. I think you are brave to talk about your concerns openly- especially with all the negativity! I hope anyone else that reads your entry realizes that this forum is for support and thinks before they speak. Most women coming on here are not proclaiming 'Screw what is right! I'm drinking!' They are coming here, like artistchic says, out of concern and seeking knowledge.

happily unexpected - 1073 days ago.
I drank for the first three months I was pregnant because I didn't know I was pregnant. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I only get periods about six times a year (naturally, not because of birth control). So that is one reason I didn't think I was pregnant. When I was a month and 1/2 pregnant (didn't know at the time, but figured out the timeline later) I took a pregnancy test and it came out negative, so I didn't think much about it, I just thought I wasn't having a period for that month. Finally, I took another pregnancy test and it was positive, I had no idea how far along I was, one week, one month? NO clue so I begged a clinic to give me an ultrasound, and there was the fetus, with legs and arms, already so developed...I was 13 weeks 1 day pregnant. I felt so horrible, worried and scared that there was going to be something wrong with the baby, and it would be my fault. I wasn't ready to deal with that kind of responsibility...and I'm still not. I'm due March 16th 2009 and I still worry that my baby will be affected by my drinking. It was really hard for me to actually write that because of criticism on this forum, but if anyone else has a story they want to share about their worries, or concerns on the issue it would be nice to hear personal experience opposed to just opinions. So far all test results have come out great for me and my baby, but nothing is 100% so right now Im just in a waiting game. Good luck to all moms dealing with similar situations.

Mama-of-2boys - 1073 days ago.
I never said it was right or wrong to drink while you are pregnant I just dont think that people need to pass judgment on others. Because I too thought this forum was for information and support. I dont drink while I'm pregnant, and dont plan on it, but I also try really hard not to judge others for what they do.

artisticchik - 1074 days ago.
gamama-I see you live close to Alabama. Did you see on the news about this random shoot out here in Samson? Some guy just went bonkers killing his girlfriend and her mother then setting the house on fire then just randomly killing people along highway 52 then turning the gun on himself. Crazy stuff. I can't wait for the day I turn on the tv and there is some GOOD news. Mean old weatherman already gave the rainy weather report for the weekend and I had planned to wash the cars and go fishing. So much for that!

artisticchik - 1074 days ago.
I just look at it as no matter how right or wrong I may be, I am not qualified to be anyones moral authority. Before I will form my lips to criticize, I will keep my mouth shut instead. I don't see anyone here soliciting criticism but unfortunately criticism is free. A bit of sincere advice comes with a pricetag of thought and compassion. Lets not let rationalism replace our sense of compassion.

happily unexpected - 1075 days ago.
Watermelon-That was a great way to explain why this forum is really here. If people need support for whatever reason related to alcohol it seems better to assist them rather than put them down. There are pros and cons to both arguments, so I guess it's fine to voice your opinion either way, but there are always two sides to an argument. Especially when it's just opinion based and not based on actual facts.

cheetahcub - 1075 days ago.
I don't agree with consuming alcohol in heavy amounts, however, special occasions, such as birthdays/weddings/anniversaries I take one glass of wine and then drink water the rest of the evening. The thing is all the other options such as fruit juice gives me heavy heartburn...sipping one glass through a evening can't do that much damage ... can it?

Mama-of-2boys - 1076 days ago.
I agree with you watermelon, I think people now days dont think before they speak no offense to anyone. But I think that people need to start trying to help eachother out and stop passing judgement upon one another, to me there is only one person that can do that and if its not him then its not our job. Good luck ladies.

Ali*L - 1076 days ago.
I just want to remind everyone that although we all have specific views on what is and isn't appropriate, this forum is about support and helping to gain knowledge from women that are in or have been in similiar circumstances. I hope no one would be so harsh and judgemental as to turn away someone who truly needs help and support. I would feel terrible if someone spoke out in need of guidance and I was so lost in preaching that I didn't help. Think about your words.

mrs.zg305 - 1121 days ago.
I was a smoker & drinker until i started to feel morning sickness, which was before my 1st test even came back +. I havent really felt like doing either w/all this morning sickness, which is great, im sure it will be harder in the months to come. but its a sacrifices im willing 2do. but my M-I-L is always bragging about how she drank beer with all 3 of her pregnancies & everyone is fine& her sis also drank beer occasionally after her 5th month w/ both her preg. and her 2 girls are perfect, little terror errors lol... I also read how its very common for in France they drink wine and England drink beer during pregnancies and both have a lower birth def. rate then us in the USA If and when i crave im going to try the non alch. beer lol... Good luck :)

Bri - 1122 days ago.
ilandra – This happens to so many women. They go out with the girls and have a few drinks and then find out later that she is pregnant. It happens and thankfully most of those women give birth to a healthy baby. It happened to my sister. She had been trying to conceive for a while and hadn’t. She went drinking heavily with her husband and group of friends that were heading to Iraq. The following weekend she found out she was 5weeks pregnant. She beat herself up over it but my nephew is just fine. There are risks and now that you know that you are pregnant I know you are taking care of yourself but honestly the worry you are putting yourself through can be more harmful to yourself and the baby. Relax. All your tests have come back just fine, right? Enjoy the pregnancy as much as you can. No use worrying about what you did once. You can’t change the past.

By the way, in no way am I condoning drinking while pregnant. There are risks to it that just shouldn't be taken. I'm talking about those who didn't know.

ilandra - 1122 days ago.
I know but just reading stuff like that I get all upset all over again. I can't believe there are even people who would drink while carrying an innocent baby. Especially after all of the studies that are done. It just blows my mind. My kids are my world and if everyone else doesn't believe that about their kids then there is something seriously wrong with them. I mean why else have kids?

lisamarie8503 - 1122 days ago.
ilandra - hun you didnt know at the time, so there is no reason to be upset with yourself!! My comments are all towards moms who drink during there pregnancy.

lisamarie8503 - 1122 days ago.
Some studies say it is bad for the baby, and some say it isnt. Why even risk it? Im talking about AFTER you find out you are pregnant, if you cant hold out on drinking and absolutley need to have a drink during the 9 months you are pregnant, maybe you shouldnt be pregnant and should look into help first. There is no need to even RISK it.

I guess I just dont see the NEED to have a drink. When it was my anniversary and I was pregnant, I went out to dinner and had water so I knew there was no possibiltiy of hurting my baby.

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