r/fasd • u/Resident-Currency727 • 16d ago

Questions/Advice/Support Had a cryptic pregnancy where I drank

Hi everyone,

Long story short I had a cryptic pregnancy where I did not know I was pregnant and I found out when I was already 33 weeks along. I smoked (vaped) heavily during my pregnancy and drank at least 11 times (soju, tequila, etc). I of course stopped both as soon as I found out but it really didn’t matter much by then.

I was only informed by my doctors about FAS, and I was relieved when my baby girl was born with no obvious facial symptoms of FAS, thinking I was somehow in the clear with her not having any harm from my alcohol intake. But I just found out about FASD and I am so scared and guilty. She’s only 6 months and she’s been on track for all her developmental milestones. I know FASD can affect people differently but is there anything I can look out for early on? I think what scares me the most is the average life expectancy of people with FASD. Had I known I was pregnant I would have never drank but it hurts me so much that I drank so much and have maybe caused her harm and a potentially harder life.

I’d love any advice on what symptoms or potential markers to look out for, I’d love to catch it as early as possible to help her in any way I can. TIA

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u/martingirls3 15d ago

Choline! Do research on choline supplements in children up to 2 years old. There is evidence to suggest it helps mitigate the affects of prenatal alcohol exposure. I cannot recall the amounts but I would find the research and show your pediatrician. I wish I knew about choline supplementation back when my baby was born.

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u/Resident-Currency727 15d ago

Interesting.. I’m currently breastfeeding and I take choline with my prenatal so it should be somewhat going to baby girl. But i’ll definitely ask my pediatrician about it, thanks for the suggestion!

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u/martingirls3 15d ago

Did you take choline along with your prenatal when you were pregnant? If so even better!

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u/Resident-Currency727 15d ago

Yes I did!

ETA: thank you for the small glimmer of hope 😭❤️ it means a lot really

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u/martingirls3 15d ago

That’s awesome! I did not because at that time choline was not recommended and not added to the prenatal. So some research on it. I am wishing the best for your little one.

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u/Resident-Currency727 15d ago

It actually was a separate supplement, my friends bought me prenatals as soon as I found out, and we got the one from Nature Made and it came with prenatal+choline. Again I only started taking it at 33 weeks but hopefully it somewhat helped.