HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Are The Repercussions Of Taking Alcohol During Early Pregnancy?

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

Question: I am currently 9 weeks pregnant according to my first Ultrasound. Anyways during week 4 and the beginning of 5 I was on vacation. Took a pregnancy before I left and it was negative. Anyways I drank ALOT of alcohol. At least 10-12 units everyday for at least 10 days before finding out I was pregnant. What I have read online is a bit confusing to me. Some articles state that the yolk sac is providing all nutrients to the embryo during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy and nothing the mother ingests( including alcohol) is able to get to it. Which makes sense since most women wouldn't know that they are pregnant at the early stages. Natures way of protecting the embryo. However I have read on multiple sites that your baby can have full blown FAS disorder from binge drinking on any of the following days 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 after fertilization. If this is true then I was definitely drinking on all of those days. So my question is concerning what is true regarding either of these statements. It has to be one or the other. Both statements can not be true.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Alcohol intake in any trimester can cause FAS

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Th erisk of Fetal alcohol syndrome in fetus is there in chronic alcoholics, alcohol intake in first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. Binge dinking has an increased risk of FAS as the concentration of alcohol is more in the blood in such drinking. However, not all fetus with alcohol exposure develop this syndrome, and the genetic constitution of the fetus decides the development of FAS in a particular fetus.
Alcohol is also known to hamper placental development causing decreased oxygen supply to the fetus, and hence cause hindrance in fetal growth.
I will suggest you to have detailed anomaly ultrasound at 18-20 weeks pregnancy by a fetal medicine specialist to detect any fetal anomaly and have further management accordingly.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (15 minutes later)

Does the yolk sac provide most nutrients to the embryo the first 6 weeks of pregnancy before the placenta is formed? I have heard that quite a bit. Can alcohol penetrate the yolk sac?Ive heard of "crossing the placenta" but not "crossing the yolk sac."

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid and stop alcohol as soon as possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Though the major nutrition is through yolk sac in early first trimester pregnancy. The alcohol has bad effects from early embrogenesis , neural tube formation and development of other organs.
First two week of conception have low risk compared to later weeks.
It is advisable to stop drinking whenever got the pregnancy confirmation.
Ill effects and mechanism of malformations are not completely understood at present. But alcohol intake is surely harmful to both mother and foetus.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (21 hours later)

Do you have any percentages of how common it is for a baby to have FAS from drinking in the first 5 weeks? I am really concerned and need advice as to whether to continue onwith this pregnancy.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Exact percentage not known

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, there are no clear percentage given about the risk of having FAS in the fetus by drinking in the first 5 weeks.
However, the risk is not 100% and and you can continue with the pregnancy, while getting detailed anomaly ultrasound at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, to confirm any anomaly present.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar