Hiding pregnancy

operasingerbride

Help! I'm 5 weeks pregnant and going out to dinner tomorrow with my brother and his wife for his birthday at his favorite sushi joint. My husband is out of town so I can't blame anything on him, and my family knows how much I LOVE sushi. I really don't want them to know but between sushi and wine, they will!!. Suggestions?!

sooner1981

You are on antibiotics, so can't drink wine.  As for sushi, eat your fill of any of the cooked rolls--there are TONS on any sushi menu...

 Or, just tell your brother and his wife and swear them to secrecy.  I don't believe in keeping baby news from immediate family until 12 weeks, even though we definitely wait until after the first tri to tell friends and extended family.

DebateThis

sooner1981:

You are on antibiotics, so can't drink wine.  As for sushi, eat your fill of any of the cooked rolls--there are TONS on any sushi menu...

 Or, just tell your brother and his wife and swear them to secrecy.  I don't believe in keeping baby news from immediate family until 12 weeks, even though we definitely wait until after the first tri to tell friends and extended family.

OP, you can eat any sushi you want, cooked or uncooked, providing you're eating it at a reputable place and keeping an eye on which types you're eating due to mercury content.

Beyond that, tell your family that you just don't wine that night or that you are designated driver for YH - tell your family about your pregnancy when YOU are comfortable.

Kfran84

I had sushi the other day with a co-worker. I checked the menu ahead of time online so I would know what cooked rolls to order.

As for the wine, I don't know what to tell ya... PP's have good suggestions.

That said, we told our siblings pretty much right away, so I'd just share my good news and be done with it. Or fake an illness and skip out!

slh6363

We've also been playing the hiding game and its become quite complicated! We were just at a going away party tonight at a bar, DH went to the bar and got be a fake mixed drink. When we have been at friends houses I actually went as far as getting alcohol free wine and dumping it into a reg bottle! As far as being at a sit down restuarant for dinner I have yet to figure that one out!

Jess1781

I am a vegetarian and my doctor to me I should not even eat veggie rolls due to the potential for cross contamination.  I guess I would rather play it safe, though I know it is tough when you are trying to hide it.  Maybe you can get a fried rice dish or something like that and then come up with an excuse for not drinking.  

kaylynne

You had too much fun last night and are a bit hungover?

PrimRoseMama

Get a fried, cooked roll and say that you are on meds that you can't drink with. I know its on your mind (being pg) but most people really don't think about it too much if you don't have a drink or raw fish. 

sarahkw1

kaylynne:

You had too much fun last night and are a bit hungover?

I had to use this excuse to get out of a girls night with my sister inlaw (downtown bar hopping) and it worked magically. In your situation you can also say that the smell or site of the sushi makes you feel sick due to the hangover.

kokiri

Actually, raw sushi from a reputable place is safe - the only sushi you should avoid is high-mercury fish (including fresh tuna) and uncooked mollusks/shellfish which come from shallow waters that are more prone to contamination. Nasty bugs like listeria and toxoplasma aren't a concern with sushi, and most fish is flash frozen before getting to the restaurant, which kills parasites. Pregnant women in Asia and Europe aren't given the same "sushi ban" that American women get, and think we're being idiots about it: there's no scientific evidence whatsoever that eating sushi worsens pregnancy outcomes. Plus, low-mercury fatty fish like salmon is very good for baby! Order California rolls (cooked crab) and veggie rolls if you're still worried about it.

mommatotwo2

DebateThis:

sooner1981:

You are on antibiotics, so can't drink wine.  As for sushi, eat your fill of any of the cooked rolls--there are TONS on any sushi menu...

 Or, just tell your brother and his wife and swear them to secrecy.  I don't believe in keeping baby news from immediate family until 12 weeks, even though we definitely wait until after the first tri to tell friends and extended family.

OP, you can eat any sushi you want, cooked or uncooked, providing you're eating it at a reputable place and keeping an eye on which types you're eating due to mercury content.

Beyond that, tell your family that you just don't wine that night or that you are designated driver for YH - tell your family about your pregnancy when YOU are comfortable.

That's not great advice. Uncooked sushi is on the no list at many OB practices. Like anything else on the no list OP- you have to decide what's worth the risk and what isn't. If you're going to worry about something like mercury content- I don't understand why you would not worry about the risks of food borne illness from raw or undercooked meat/seafood. 

OP- If it were me, I'd get the cooked rolls and just say you don't feel like raw that night if anyone asks. Tell them you've been fighting a cold and would rather not drink, or tell them you're on antibiotics for an ear infection or something like that.

mommatotwo2

DebateThis:

sooner1981:

You are on antibiotics, so can't drink wine.  As for sushi, eat your fill of any of the cooked rolls--there are TONS on any sushi menu...

 Or, just tell your brother and his wife and swear them to secrecy.  I don't believe in keeping baby news from immediate family until 12 weeks, even though we definitely wait until after the first tri to tell friends and extended family.

OP, you can eat any sushi you want, cooked or uncooked, providing you're eating it at a reputable place and keeping an eye on which types you're eating due to mercury content.

Beyond that, tell your family that you just don't wine that night or that you are designated driver for YH - tell your family about your pregnancy when YOU are comfortable.

That's not great advice. Uncooked sushi is on the no list at many OB practices. Like anything else on the no list OP- you have to decide what's worth the risk and what isn't. If you're going to worry about something like mercury content- I don't understand why you would not worry about the risks of food borne illness from raw or undercooked meat/seafood. 

OP- If it were me, I'd get the cooked rolls and just say you don't feel like raw that night if anyone asks. Tell them you've been fighting a cold and would rather not drink, or tell them you're on antibiotics for an ear infection or something like that.

kokiri

"According to PubMed and Motherisk: "...it is no longer necessary for pregnant women to avoid foods like ... sushi and sashimi. Regardless of whether seafood is raw or cooked, pregnant women should choose low mercury seafood (eg, salmon and shrimp) over higher mercury varieties (eg, fresh tuna). Pregnant women should ensure that their food is obtained from reputable establishments; stored, handled, and cooked properly; and consumed within a couple of days of purchasing."" Motherisk is a reputable source. But obviously if you still feel ooky about sushi, avoid it. You're missing out, though - yum!

NYCGal276

DebateThis:

sooner1981:

You are on antibiotics, so can't drink wine.  As for sushi, eat your fill of any of the cooked rolls--there are TONS on any sushi menu...

 Or, just tell your brother and his wife and swear them to secrecy.  I don't believe in keeping baby news from immediate family until 12 weeks, even though we definitely wait until after the first tri to tell friends and extended family.

OP, you can eat any sushi you want, cooked or uncooked, providing you're eating it at a reputable place and keeping an eye on which types you're eating due to mercury content.

Beyond that, tell your family that you just don't wine that night or that you are designated driver for YH - tell your family about your pregnancy when YOU are comfortable.

My RE gave me the same advice.  As long as the items you're eating are from a fresh place, you have a higher chance of winning the lottery than catching listeria.  Happy Noshing! :-) 

smilormarie

kaylynne:

You had too much fun last night and are a bit hungover?

This. It would explain you ordering a ginger ale and bland foods....