Patient's question:
I am pregnant, and my last menstrual period was on June 8th. Because I didn't know I was pregnant, I drank a lot of red wine on June 16th, 19th, and 27th, and I was drunk each time. Now I'm very worried about the health of the fetus. However, a doctor said that I was pregnant two weeks after June, and at that time, the fetal organs had not yet differentiated, so it would not cause too much harm. But I'm still very worried and don't know what methods can be used to check if the fetus is healthy?Doctor's answer:
Alcohol can pass through the placenta to the fetus. The metabolites of alcohol, acetaldehyde, can prevent the fetus from absorbing glucose and B vitamins, leading to delayed growth and development and impaired intellectual development. The harm caused by alcohol is related to the timing and amount of alcohol consumption. Generally, the earlier in pregnancy and the more alcohol consumed, the greater the harm. The first three months of pregnancy are a critical period for fetal development, so drinking alcohol during this time can cause particularly severe damage to the fetus. The entire pregnancy involves the development of the fetal brain, and the peak growth period of the fetus occurs after the sixth month of pregnancy. If alcohol consumption continues during this time, it will cause even more severe damage to the fetus. Based on your situation, it is likely that the fetus has been affected to some extent. It is recommended to undergo a detailed prenatal examination at the hospital for a more specific assessment.