Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? - Page 3

[lab]

Originally Posted by Maine Mama Doula

All the reading pretty much says any amount of alcohol can hurt, especially in the first trimester; hence, my concerns. I most certainly was drinking and I can't be certain when I did what with which pregnancy. I think I may have had a binge night during those first couple of weeks with him, but I don't remember for certain. That's why I can't rule it out.

Is the placenta even formed at 4 or 5 weeks? Doesn't the baby use the egg to survive until the placenta is formed and then you start feeding the baby with your body? I might be completely off base and am certainly not a doctor - this was always just an assumption on my part.

[heatherdeg]

Originally Posted by Maine Mama Doula

DH and I have been discussing our pediatrician for a long time. It's hard because everyone in the medical community that knows him likes him. He sees many children with heart defects and most everyone believes that he just made a big mistake in missing DD2's heart defect.

Especially referring to the bold: what the medical community defines as a great doctor and what the patient community defines as a good doctor are likely to be very different things. If it's been something that's laid heavy on your and your dh's heart for long enough to have been discussing it, that right there is gut instinct worthy of paying attention to as well--ya know?

Giving the benefit of the doubt that he actually DID feel bad about missing the dx on your dd, I'm going to guess that spending an hour with you about it was unquestionably tied to concerns about litigation. After all, you're getting information about your son here... not from him. Something to consider.

Originally Posted by Maine Mama Doula

Thanks again. I'm definitely going to ask for a referral to a geneticist or at least some genetic testing.

<snip>

At least now I won't go into his appointment thinking it's all my fault

[momtoalexsarah]

WOW - I just looked at your pictures and you need to have genetic testing done on both your son and daughter - My 4.5year old has a clinical diagnosis of VCFS (she has the symptoms - but the deletion is not showing up on testing - so it is either a partial deletion or a mosaic deletion) The ears on both your kids are classic 22q.11. Your daughters heart defect is very common with the deletion as is the kidney issue in your son. Also watch for Palate issues.
My DD had a submucus cleft palate, minor heart defect (no repair needed... yet ) hypertolism, ear issues, immune issues, gross motor delays.and a number of more minor "symptoms". My DD is starting to "grow out" of alot of her issues, which is common in VCFS - at about 4 the kids just kind of "burst" growth, health and development wise.
And as for thinking of FAS, for the longest time they where convinced that my DD was Autistic - she isn't, but the thearapy that she was given worked really well because she still needed it.

[vintagetia]

Originally Posted by ~Em~

(((Hugs))) I will leave the discussion about your son to the professionals, but this is concerning:



"Situational drinker" is a vague term. You are an alcoholic. While it may be triggered by stress or other situations, you are still an alcoholic. I'm not going to lecture you about drinking in pregnancy - I'm sure you already know the risks. But you cannot be an effective mother while you are drinking - you can lie to yourself and say things are fine since you aren't pregnant, but it's not true. Further, since you are apparently TTC or at least not preventing, you need to get help and treatment well before you get pregnant again.

Please call AA, your doctor, or some other professional who can help you - even if you never have another child, please do it - if not for yourself - then for your beautiful babies who need and deserve their mother more than anything. I wish you well.

Wow, How in the world are you qualified to say that?!