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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is There Any Risk To Fetus If I Have Just Started Taking Folic Acid, And Have Consumed Moderate Amount Of Alcohol?

Hi there. I have just discovered that I am unexpectedly pregnant (4 wks) and I am 37. This is my first pregnancy. I am concerned that I have only just started folic acid from today as I was not planning on trying for a baby. Is there a risk to this? Also, I have been consuming moderate amounts of alcohol over the last 4 weeks. Can this have damaged the embryo at this stage?
Sat, 29 Mar 2014
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Ideally folic acid should be started
three months before expected pregnancy.
But if you are taking nutritious diet during these months, there may not be any major difference.
Moderate amount of drinking alcohol in early weeks of pregnancy may not cause major abnormalities.
But better to be careful.
-Stop taking alcohol from now onwards.
-Undergo regular antenatal checkups and ultrasound examinations.
Ultrasound at 11 to 12 weeks and TIFFA scan at around 20 weeks are needed to detect any possible abnormality at the earliest.
Take care.
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Is There Any Risk To Fetus If I Have Just Started Taking Folic Acid, And Have Consumed Moderate Amount Of Alcohol?

Hi, Thanks for the query. Ideally folic acid should be started three months before expected pregnancy. But if you are taking nutritious diet during these months, there may not be any major difference. Moderate amount of drinking alcohol in early weeks of pregnancy may not cause major abnormalities. But better to be careful. -Stop taking alcohol from now onwards. -Undergo regular antenatal checkups and ultrasound examinations. Ultrasound at 11 to 12 weeks and TIFFA scan at around 20 weeks are needed to detect any possible abnormality at the earliest. Take care.