Should I be concerned if I consumed alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?
Last updated on April 1, 2026
No, you should not be concerned. Heavy drinking during pregnancy is dangerous because it kills fetal cells, and that cell death can cause birth defects. During the two-week wait, though, the embryonic cells are undifferentiated, meaning any cell can become anything. For this reason, heavy drinking during this period is not associated with birth defects. Overall, since it is not good for your non-pregnant health to binge drink, it should be avoided anyway. But if you binge drank during this period and do find yourself pregnant, you shouldn’t worry.
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