I drank before I knew I was pregnant. What should I do now?
Talk with a healthcare professional about past alcohol use, safe support for stopping and the limits of prenatal testing.
Team review pending
Tell your prenatal healthcare professional about the alcohol you drank, even if you have already stopped. No safe amount or time for alcohol use in pregnancy has been established. Avoiding further alcohol and getting prenatal care matter now. [1]
If you drink heavily or regularly and worry about withdrawal, seek prompt medical help to stop safely. Withdrawal after prolonged heavy drinking can be life-threatening. Do not try to manage it alone. [2]
Start with what you remember
You can write down the approximate dates, drinks and amounts before the call. An estimate is useful if you cannot remember exactly. You can begin simply: “I found out I am pregnant, and I am worried about alcohol I drank before I knew.”
Ask who should review the information, how soon you should be seen and where to get help if stopping is difficult. Keep that conversation with the treating team; you do not need to put an alcohol history in Care Net's general appointment-request message.
Do not use a scan as an all-clear
There is no prenatal test that diagnoses fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASDs. A scan cannot predict every future effect on learning or behavior. [3] Ask your prenatal clinician what follow-up can and cannot tell you. A limited ultrasound at Care Net is not an assessment of alcohol-related effects.
An online story cannot determine your pregnancy's outcome. You can ask for facts without being blamed, and you can ask the clinician to explain an answer again if it is unclear.
Find care and practical support
If you do not have a prenatal provider, start arranging ongoing care. [1] For severe symptoms or an emergency, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a website response.
Care Net's pro-life commitment includes practical support for women who want to continue a pregnancy and feel unsure how to manage. You can request an appointment to discuss current pregnancy resources. Staff confirms appointments; this is not alcohol treatment or prenatal care. Care Net does not perform or refer for abortions.
Helpful next steps
