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I have just finished reading the pregnancy thread started by Feeling Bad back in 2007, and while I found it somewhat reassuring, I am still very concerned and wanted to start a new thread rather than post on the old one.
I'm 34 and have been drinking more than is healthy for a couple of years now. Not enough that it interferes with my life, but enough that I've had too many hangovers for a grown woman to be happy admitting, and I've thought over and over that I need to cut back drastically.
I found out on 10/19 that I was pregnant. On 10/15 I got absolutely wasted. I was stumbling drunk. That kind of binge, while not unheard of, was not my usual pattern, though I had been drinking 1-3 glasses of wine per night and more on the weekends. Went in for an ultrasound 11/1 and the pregnancy was dated at 6wks 3days- which meant that on 10/15 I was right at the 4 week mark. :upset:
I stopped immediately upon finding out, which means I haven't had a drink since before I hit 5 weeks, but I am very concerned about what might have happened to the developing baby prior to cessation. I consulted a midwife and she said that the baby would have been very vulnerable at that time, and she even said that some women would choose to terminate based on the risk to the child. I also went to see a genetic counselor, just yesterday, and although she was reassuring and optimistic she did not seem to know much about the topic. She only offered me a handout on FAS and proceeded to discuss genetic tests for cystic fibrosis and tay sachs disease- totally unrelated to alcohol!!
Anyway, although it is heartbreaking to think about, my SO and I are talking about termination. I am so scared and just want something reassuring that I can grab onto and that can give us some hope. I'm 9 weeks along now, and the thought of aborting the baby is so horrible- but not as horrible as the thought of giving birth to a profoundly retarded and deformed child who will suffer a lifetime because of my poor decision-making.
Thank you for taking the time to read this- I know it's long. And thank you for any advice or information you can offer- good or bad. :thanks:
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