Tips for concealing early pregnancy?!

[RainDancer]

I've just found out I am 4 weeks pregnant (and am delighted obviously). However, I am going on the annual family get together this Easter weekend and don't want any of my family to know yet. Trouble is, I'm known for loving my wine, so I need some tips for convincing stories to tell about why I can't drink. They know I haven't been ill so the obvious antibiotics cover I think is out! Any ideas?

Have you considered just telling them?

Unfortunately some people will leap to the correct conclusion the moment you refuse a glass. I used to just accept a glass and have hold of it at all times. Sometimes I would surreptitiously swap with DH's empty glass. We never got caught.

Toothache antibiotics?

If you just accept a drink and pretend to sip from time to time... Get partner to drink some discreetly or pour some away in the loo no one will notice. The moment you refuse a drink with any excuse people will speculate.

Tell them you have an ear infection & are in antibiotics so can drink. That ones water tight... They'll never suspect.

Also everyone knows that "I'm not drinking because I'm on antibiotics" is code for "I'm pregnant and not telling" Whatever type they are.

*can't drink

I'm not prepared to tell them. I had a miscarriage last October and hadn't told anyone then, and still haven't (apart from my husband obv) because I'm a very private person and just couldn't bear the fall out. I think maybe the way to go is just to constantly nurse a glass of wine but never drink it!

haHA!!!

Ooh Tigress, I like the ear infection story - undetectable. Think that may be a winner so far. I actually don't think my family will suspect that story. They've long since given up on the idea that I'm going to reproduce!

Yes, nurse a glass and make sure your other half helps you out (eg he's the only one that tops it up).

I would accept a glass but say something like "I'm trying to cut back though, I've been drinking too much recently" and then they won't be as surprised if you are "drinking" more slowly than normal (but obviously actually get DP to drink it/abandon glass somewhere for a bit).

I was thinking of that episode of Friends where Carol answers the door, inexplicably clutching a large box of cereal to her stomach!

It wouldn't be such a problem if I didn't have a reputation for being an absolute lush normally

Say you are taking metronidazole for tooth infection. You absolutely can not drink whilst on this antibiotic
Hth

Or perhaps I could pretend to drink gin and tonic and just have the tonic. I can drink tonic water when pregnant can't I?!

Could you be "hungover"?

On a diet? Obviously this won't be as convincing if you're already slim

I did successfully use the hungover story on our family get together last year when I also happened to be in early stages of pregnancy and got away with it. But I doubt I can get away with being hungover for 5 whole days as we're all going to a holiday cottage together!! That would have been one mega session!

I could definitely rock the diet story as I am quite podgy. However, my family know how weak my willpower is and how much I like a drink so I think that would make them suspicious!

plain tonic water is definitely an idea.

Well if they think you're likely to be trying for a baby soon you could say something to that effect? Say you're trying to watch what you eat and cut out alcohol etc.. Then of course OH will have to join you on your health kick!

My top tip is just to accept a drink. Pretend to sip from it. Descretely tip it out or swap with DH.

Once everyone else has had a drink or two no one will notice. Honestly I went to two parties and did this and not one person suspected a thing.... However I do think it helped being 41 and no one thinking that it might be a possibility! LOL

Act totally normal, accept drink, even be eager - 'Ooh, a glass of red for me please!!'

Wait until attention is elsewhere, go to loo, tip most of it down.

Make sure you walk back downstairs with glass tipped up to mouth at some point just incase, as if you've just finished a large gulp.

Chat with almost empty glass for a bit. Accept top up in a pleased manner.

Tip half into house plant if convenient. Etc.

After publicly accepting at least two glasses, you will SO be in the clear.

Good luck with the pregnancy!

My best excuse = massive hangover. Can't stomach a drink as got so hammered the day before your get together. I even conjure up a memory of an actual previous boozy night out so my lies about the night out are more believable because it actually happened, just not the day before!