Hello,
My name is XXXXXX XXXXXX and I am a physician who practices in New York. I would like to ask a couple of questions before I respond o your question
How many times did you drink over the last 6 1/2 1weeks? How much did you drink? Whar type pf alcohol did you drink?
What was the name of the antibiotic?
Thank you so much for answering. I would say there were definitely two or three incidences of five or more drinks, all being vodka beverages. In addition, there were probably 3 nights where I drank 4-8 glasses of red wine. Aside from that "binging", I usually do have a glass of wine or two several times per week, with dinner. The antibiotic was Trimethoprim 100mg, and was prescribed twice daily for 3 days.
I also took a Protonix 40mg, but I'm almost sure that happened before I conceived, and I was very sick that night, so I'm not sure how much of the Protonix made it into my body anyway.
Thank you for the information. Before I address you question, I would like to make a few comments ( some of which may seem obvious) Firstly, it sounds from your question that you stopped drinking now and that is very good as many women who drank prior to become pregnant continue to drink even once they find out that they are pregnant. Secondly, you should discuss your prior drinking with your OB/GYN. Thirdly, many women do not take their vitamins religiously when pregnant, but I encourage you to do so given your past drinking habits.
Now, let me address your question. Much research has been done on women who drink a significant amount of alcohol throughout their pregnancy and have children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. However, the risks of binge drinking has been studied less. The main concern with binge drinking ( like the type of drinking you described- three binges)is an increase risk of cleft palate. The incidence in the general population is 1 in 1000 births will have a cleft palate. Recent research has shown that the risk is tripled if you have had three drinking binges in your first trimester. So, the risk for your baby is higher. approx 0.3%. I will provide a link so you could read the literature.
Concerning, trimethoprim, their is increased risk of cleft palate and cardiovascular defects. The was an 3 times risk for cleft palate and approx. 2 times increased risk for cardiovascular defects. However, these complications are because trimethoprim decreases the amount of folate in the body. So as I emphasized before, it is really important for you to take your vitamins ( which have folate).
Let me concluded that you should not start worrying now that you have hurt your baby for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you have stopped drinking now so that decreases the risk of problems for your fetus. Secondly, the defects that I mentioned, ( cleft palate and cardiac defects) are quite rare in the general population, so a 2-3 times increases still means that it is quite unlikely you fetus will have either of the defects. Thirdly, you will take folate (I am assuming) and this will decrease the risk as well.
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2008/niehs-31.htm
http://infectious-diseases.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2001/111/1
Best of luck and congratulations,
Dr. Breuer
Doctor
Medical Physician
Thank you very much. This has been very helpful. I was considering an abortion, because of my fear that not only is this not a good time in my life to be pregnant, I was also very concerned about my baby's health. It sounds like the risk is not as significant as I feared, which is a good thing. I guess my question now is this.....I haven't taken vitamins yet, because I haven't been given any by my doctor (until my first appointment). So, with the cleft palate issue, is that something that if its been affected, the "damage is done" at this point, or will the folate still have a chance to combat that. (I know I need to take it anyway, but I'm just wondering about that).
By taking folate now you would reduce the chances that the baby has any defects. So the damage is not necessarily done. Taking the folate now coukld be very helpful in order to prevent you fetus developing these complications.
Best of luck,