Newly pregnant & supposed to be going on boozy holiday!

[hart2009]

I have just discovered I am pregnant with my first child and barely 4 weeks gone. The problem is, my partner and I have arranged to go on a camping holiday with a group of friends next week. Lots of booze and bbq's, as I'm sure you can imagine. I normally drink like a fish when I go out with friends, and they are going to notice if I drink orange juice for 7 days straight! My partner thinks I should invent a story about straining my back and being on antibiotics - hence no alcohol intake allowed. But, I'm sure they will either try and coax me into drinking or be highly suspicious. One of my friends is a Nanny and very suspicious by nature. Do I tell the truth or go with the ' bad back' story? Will they even believe it? If I miscarry, I'd hate having to tell people. But then, we often socialise with our friends. Can I keep the lie going for another 2 months??!!

[shitforbrains]

watching with interest as I am in the same predicament!

[HarderToKidnap]

My friend had this and she was a genius. She "discovered" ready mixed cans of gin and tonic and said how much she loved them - she would decant them into a glass. Of course really she was pouring this away and having Sprite instead! She also had a glass of wine in front of everyone to allay suspicions. None of us guessed!

[hart2009]

Ooh, I like the Sprite idea! I'm just not sure that they will fall for it. Maybe I can pour raspberry juice in to an old wine bottle and pretend its rose! Until the moment they said "Can I try some?" I just know I'm going to caught out!!

[nancydrewrocks]

Why would you "hate to tell them" if you miscarry - surely you would be welcome their support?

Obviously it is a personal issue and you shouldn't feel pressured either way but I can't really see the harm in letting those close to you know.

[geekygiraffe]

I told close friends early on - the kind of friends I'd tell if anything went wrong (and then my employer told the world, but that's a whole other story).
Or, have a glass of wine with you - no-one will notice you're not actually drinking it.
I'd tell them - at least they can celebrate in style for you!

[wukter]

TBH I wouldn't go on the holiday. I'd keep the bad back story and say you can't sleep in a tent with it. That way you are only telling the lie once rather than lie ten times a day, when you are sure to be discovered. Personally, I'd hate to miss the holiday but tbh at that stage it would be more important to keep my secret, iykwim.

[PrivetDancer]

I think if they are all good friends I would just tell them the truth. It's not just the no-drinking, you might be knackered / feeling rough etc. Why complicate things with a web of lies too? and why would you be on anti-biotics for a back strain?!

congratulations

[RuthieCohen]

Congratulations, how exciting

If they are close enough friends that they would keep a secret if you asked them to they'll be thrilled for you (and to have been told)

If you're set on a cover story then a nasty bout of cystitis is always a good 'un. People tend not to ask too many q's.

[Emster30]

I think I would probably have to tell them. But if you don't want to, a tooth infection is always a good excuse - dentists often prescribe metronidazole, which is (I think) the only antibiotic you really can't drink on!

[BaggedandTagged]

Emster is right- the "can't drink on antibiotics" is an oft peddled medical myth BUT metronidazole- which gets prescribed for dental infections, soft tissue injuries and ....er..some STDs.....is an exception.

I'll leave it up to you to decide which one you want to say you've got

You wouldnt be prescribed antibiotics for a back strain as it doesnt involve infection but you could say you've been prescribed codeine based pain killers and dont want to drink whilst on them.

[hart2009]

See? I didn't even know you don't take antibiotics for your back. I'm rubbish at lying! I may have another talk with my partner about telling our closest friends the truth. We see them all the time and I don't think I can keep the lie going for very long. I just KNOW they are going to be so excited for us and tempted to tell other people. I have 2 days to think it over. Thanks so much for all your advice. Its quite scary (and exciting!) being pregnant for the first time.

[birdofthenorth]

I had a would-have-been boozy weekend with pals in my first trimester and decided to tell them (some already guessed as soon as the first drink was refused!). BUT I swore them all to secrecy and they all feigned surprise wonderfully when I was eventually scanned and ready to announce it on facebook etc!