[jkvkdailey]

More than 10 years ago, my cousin gave birth to a baby girl - and she didn't even know she was pregnant (so she claims). I have had my doubts about that because my cousin was still in high school and I imagine she was in denial. The baby was born more than 3 months early, and weighed a little over a pound at birth. Happily, that baby is now a perfectly healthy 10 year old girl.

Anyway, my very close girlfriend and I have talked about this situation a number of times, and we both agreed that there was no way my cousin didn't know she was 6 months pregnant. That is, up until a few weeks ago when my girlfriend found out that she was more than 7 months along!!

My girlfriend has always had a very irregular menstrual cycle, so she didn't think much of it when she didn't have her period for the past 6 months (it's happened to her before). She has been under a lot of stress lately (broke up with her boyfriend of 5 yrs, changed jobs after 13 yrs, her grandma passed away), so she attributed her weight gain to stress. She wasn't even really showing (she's a heavy gal to begin with), but when she went to the doctor for a yeast infection she asked them to do a pregnancy test (she had a tiny suspicion). Much to her surprise, the nurse came back and said yep - you're going to have a baby! When they found out this was new information, the doctor's office immediately scheduled an ultrasound - and her due date is November 20th!!

I'm very happy and excited for my friend, but we're also very nervous because she's been drinking all along. I know she would never intentionally harm her unborn child, but obviously any damage has already been done. I believe her when she says she didn't know, but is there anything that she can do now to ensure a healthy remainder of her pregnancy?? She stopped drinking immediately and is taking her prenatal vitamins. She's also been in touch with the father, and unfortunately he wants nothing to do with her or the baby so she will be on her own (well, with a great network of friends and family to support her).

Kim

[purelegance]

it does happen! i know of several instances where the girls really didn't know until 5 or 6 months along.

Your friend should definitely keep in close contact with her doctor, but at this point i think all she can do is get on a healthy diet & take her prenatals. her doctor may want to keep her under close observation just to be sure everything is alright.

[KR258]

Wow!! Congrats to your friend! I agree that the only thing she can really do about it now is keep all her doctor appointments and make sure the doctor is aware of her passed drinking, Take her prenatals and take good care of herself. I am glad she has friends and family to help her.