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  |  Pregnancy  |  Concerns  |  Pregnant and took cocaine and alcohol
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Pregnant and took cocaine and alcohol

by Dr Howard Lee

question
My last period was on the 17th November. Unfortunately, on my partner’s birthday (12th December) we had a cocaine and drinking binge. I also drank heavily over Christmas. Of course, had I known I was pregnant I would not have been so selfish. I had a miscarriage last May and I am worried sick about the possible damage I have caused to the unborn child, that’s if it is still alive. I have given up all vices, including smoking, etc., but is it too late?

answer
Certainly, your ‘wild night’ of 12 December, and the subsequent days of extra alcohol over the Christmas period, do give rise to some concerns for the developing baby. The most active stages of development are, of course, up to about 12-14 weeks. This is the period of time we are particularly thinking about. On the other hand, developing babies are also pretty resilient. The fact that you have given up all the problem ‘irritants’ is very encouraging – well done.

It is difficult to say that nothing has happened but, quite often, if anything really serious does occur in the early stages of foetal development, nature takes over and rejects the foetus – this is often the cause of early miscarriages. Any early ultrasound tests can also show growth problems, and these will be arranged at the appropriate time. So, for a while, it is a ‘fingers-crossed’ situation, I am afraid. But, with any luck, your baby will continue its growth in a natural environment.

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