I had wine and took Corticosteroid during early days of pregnany. Will it harm my baby?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am in week 6 of my pregnancy and I am worried about some things that happened very early in the pregnancy before I knew I was pregnant. I had a few glasses of wine from day 0 to day 20. A total of six maybe and one glass and a half on day 20. I also took corticosteroids (Betamethasone) a single dose of 3 mg due to an allergic reaction on day 20.

And as if this was not enough, I was also on antibiotics (Flucloxacillin) which I finished on day 24 of pregnancy. I am so afraid all of this might have had an impact on the baby. Is there a risk my baby might have been affected?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As you have not mentioned the date of your last menstrual period, I am assuming by day 0 you mean the starting date of last menstrual cycle. Because we calculate the pregnancy age from that date. So yes, the early pregnancy time is very important because the embryo is developing in that time period.

So as per your query, as you mentioned the consumption of wine in the early three weeks, I do not think it is gonna have any effect on the embryo because it is in the preovulatory phase when even the egg is being formed and released. And yes, corticosteroid in high doses when used for chronic medical conditions can have a risk of cleft lip and palate, but a single shot taken for an allergic reaction should not be affecting the baby.

Also, the Flucloxacillin is a penicillin group of drug which is usually safe in pregnancy. So be calm and stop worrying about the risks. It will just increase your stress levels.

Moreover in early pregnancy, if any embryo is grossly affected by any insult, it either usually aborts early if the exposure has been hazardous, but if the exposure is non-hazardous, it makes through and the baby will be fine. This is called all or none phenomenon in pregnancy.

So your exposure to the medications was not that is something very dangerous, so rest assured. And more over your pregnancy has reached until 6 weeks, that is a good sign that the embryo has not been affected by the exposure to the drugs you have been worrying about.

Please consult your gynecologist for your antenatal checkup and investigations required to be taken as per your local protocols.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards