Doug39

Please for the sake of the baby stop drinking.

I don't want to scare you, but my wife's friend drank and smoked cigarettes and pot nearly everyday during her son's pregnancy.

Today he is 22, always had behavior issues, is a registered sex offender, and has been battling cancer the last 5 years. I am not says her drinking caused these things for sure but we will never know for sure.

My mother drank beer when she was pregnant with me but that was back in 1963 when medical information wasn't as advanced. I was a daily drinking alcoholic for 27 years.

Take care.

zjw

I hope this pregnancy gets you sober.

Kids are great in this regard it can get us to cut out our BS or at least cut it back and get serious.

ultimately it can be a very good thing. Get pregnant its the kick in the Butt you need to get and stay sober. Happy you happy baby win win etc..

Mountainmanbob

Please seek help ASAP. We had a sweet little neighbor years ago that had a small tilted face because his mother often got drunk while she was pregnant.

God will help you -- seek God with all your heart.

My friends wife and our Pastor Ben volunteer here.
Pregnancy Care Clinic (a Christian organization)
ph 619-442-4357

M-Bob

Snugglebun

Just reading these messages has made a big difference, thanls for taking the time to answer.

I can only hope everything is ok if I stop now but of course I'm aware there has been 2o weeks of abuse so far

alyn528

If you continue to drink Yes your baby will be born with FAS! Thankfully, when I was pregnant I wasn't in my addiction I had stop I was scared the state would take him away from me. I would defiantly talk to a case worker and also girl take yourself to an AA meeting get yourself an sponsor and stop drinking. I know it's hard ever tried non alcohol beer or mixed drinks?? You need to do something cause your baby is already addicted to alcohol if you continue to drink while pregnant. Good luck!!

squirrel6

First off, I am proud of you for not getting an abortion, I want to give you a big hug for that.

Second, I really think that you should focus more on moving forward without alcohol. If you are like me, I dwell on past things I have regrets about and it becomes a reason to drink. Example, I already screwed this up by drinking for 20 weeks, why stop now?. Please do stop. Please do not beat yourself up if there are complications. I hope and pray you and your precious baby are going to be just fine. Try to make peace with yourself, forgive yourself for your past actions up to this point. You can do this.

This kind of hits home with me, my wife and I just had our third child 4 months ago. My wife doesn't drink, but I do. I stopped drinking the week before she was due, but got extremely intoxicated on the day she was due. Thankfully she did not go into labor, and it all turned out ok, but it still haunts me what would have happened. I was puking and unable to walk, could barely crawl.

ScottFromWI

You can actually do a lot more than hope. Call your doctor today and tell them exactly what's been going on. And don't tell yourself things like "IF" you stop now. Find a way to stop drinking immediately, like right this minute. You owe it to yourself and your baby to do this.

Forward12

Having your AV tell you things like "well, the damage is already done, might as well keep drinking!" is a horrible way to look at things.
Also no sane doctor is going to just scribble down in their notes and tell you to have a nice day while pregnant with an alcohol abuse problem.
You really need to take the bull by the horns and get help immediately.

Mountainmanbob

Yes, yes that comes as the greatest of news.
M-Bob

BrendaChenowyth

I have found this forum helpful is continuing my sobriety once I had quit, but at the end of the day, I am the only one who decides whether I go out and purchase alcohol and then proceed to drink it. It is one thing to do that to myself knowing the effects it has on me alone. Don't wait for the magic right words, don't wait to feel like it's time, it's past time, don't say you can't stop until you have your next doctor's appointment or it's time for an outpatient program to start, just don't drink today.

SueDenim

At the risk of stating the obvious, (and I don't want to patronise you) having children, whilst rewarding and amazing, is also a series of sacrifices. Whether financial, time-based, or just not being able to do a million things you used to do without thinking or planning.

Why not look at this as the first - a trial run if you like? Also, if you continue to drink and harm your baby, the sacrifices will turn out to be a whole lot greater. If you give up now, you can be a sober mum, at least. I can't imagine looking after a baby whilst drunk all the time. There are so many risks.

I wish you and your baby all the luck in the world, and really hope that you can turn things round.

Is the baby's father on the scene? Can he be relied on at all?

noneever

You can't undo the last 20 weeks. But you can absolutely control what you put into your body over the next 20 weeks. Are you getting any antenatal care? Most, if not all hospitals will be able to link you in with specialist antenatal care if you are using drugs or alcohol. Even just requesting to speak to a social worker at the hospital will set the ball rolling.

RecklessEric

Maybe try not to let the possibility of being judged put you off doing the right thing.
Saying the damage is already done is not wise. You don't know if damage is done but the risk will increase the longer you continue to drink.
I really wish you well. I can only imaging the guilt/shame you are feeling. But I urge you to do what you know is the correct thing.

Anna

You MUST talk to your dr. This is not about you. It's about your baby who deserves the best care he/she can get. Please talk to your dr.

This is our link on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from the Mayo Clinic:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-syndrome.html

Anna

That's incorrect. This is not about you being judged. It's about your child.

If you report the timing and amount of alcohol consumption, your obstetrician or other health care provider can help determine the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. Although doctors can't diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome before a baby is born, they can assess the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy.

Your child's doctor can watch your pregnancy and then monitor your baby for signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome in your child's initial weeks, months and years of life. Early diagnosis and provision of services can help improve your child's ability to function.

Snugglebun

Thank you, yes it was a tough decision, my bf made it very difficult for me which made the drinking worse, so much negativity. I cant change the past and yes I agree I'm one of those who dwells and then it becomes a reason. Ive been out since and been very good , I really want to crack this and hope all is ok. Having babies is hard enough without the added worry or guilt. When I think about it alcohol is such a negative thing for me, the temptation is so strong but now is not the time to drink. I too have puked a few times from having too much, I regret it so much

Snugglebun

Yes , hes only now starting to show interest and concern however he loves going out drinking and drugging. Not helpful.

ScottFromWI

Have you stopped drinking yet or spoken to your doctor about it?

Anna

I will encourage you again to talk to your dr. This is important for the health and safety of your baby.

Behappy1

I agree, they can give you the appropriate care NOW as well as when the baby is born. If they need to do something at birth they can be prepared to do so.

I had twins who were born prematurely. There were 9 doctors and nurses in the room ready and waiting to address any problems. Thankfully there were none, but they were at least prepared. If your doctor thinks this is just a regular birth they can't be prepared or may not realize what is going on if your baby does have FAS.

Please join us in the February thread!