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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Help! How to hide pregnancy in Covid times

51 replies

KurtRussel · 17/05/2021 17:46

Hello everyone, I'm early days at 5 weeks and I have my husbands birthday pub crawl soon that I have arrange with load sof friends. I tend to be the life and soul and love a drink so I know people will notice if I'm not drinking and I'm not ready for anyone to know yet. I have loads of ideas how to disguise alcohol drinks with non alcoholic drinks BUT my problem is because of Covid it will be table service at pubs so I just can't see a way around it. Any ideas?

OP posts:
APurpleSquirrel · 17/05/2021 17:49

Say you're on antibiotics & can't mix with alcohol?

RusholmeRuffian · 17/05/2021 17:50

Say you had a dental abcess for which you were prescribed a course of Metronidazole. Even one drink can make you spectacularly sick if you're on that. Lay it on thick about how painful it was!

Garman · 17/05/2021 17:54

Definitely don't say antibiotics, it's the most obvious "I'm pregnant" cover up.

Uti or ttc, start giving details on uti and they'll stop asking!

Dollhousedoor · 17/05/2021 17:57

Could you drive, as its husbands birthday it would be more likely to be you being taxi than him? Or could you say you haven't been out in so long you don't want to drink to much as you'll be drunk straight away and nurse a non-alcoholic drink for ages in the hopes no one says anything.

BluebellsGreenbells · 17/05/2021 17:58

Pissed the day before and still hung over?

TakeYourFinalPosition · 17/05/2021 18:06

I've made it to 9 weeks somehow and just can't see it lasting any further. Like you said, people notice that you're not drinking...

I debated it for ages. I was going to use the antibiotics line, but I think it's just too associated with being pregnant now.

To be honest, I've tried to avoid people for the last few weeks and not been to the pub, so I didn't have to hide it... and I'm going to tell my close friends a bit earlier than I'd otherwise intended, but DH is desperate to tell his parents, so it makes sense.

I think most people are unlikely to outright call you on antibiotics/pregnancy, so you can use the Metronidazole/can't drink thing, but it's likely that they might "know" then, even if you don't confirm it.

And if they're a bit drunk, someone might outright make a jokey "are you pregnant" comment.

It is oddly challenging; I sympathise!

TerribleCustomerCervix · 17/05/2021 18:07

Oh don’t say you’re on antibiotics- you might as well staple the positive pregnancy test to your forehead it’s that obvious!

  • Say you had a few drinks the night before and you’re a bit hungover
  • Say you’ve put on some lockdown weight so you’re cutting out alcohol to lose some again
  • You’ve got an early hair appointment, MOT slot the next morning and need to be able to drive
  • you’ve got your second vaccination appointment the next day, felt dreadful after the first so you don’t want to be mixing side effects AND a hangover

Easy.

Knock123 · 17/05/2021 18:08

Maybe you've had an upset stomach for a few days and don't feel ready for booze?

AnonymousXXIX · 17/05/2021 18:11

I agree, not drinking is even more noticeable now, now that we're all allowed back in the pub for the first time. I'm not even a big drinker but my friends will 100% notice. It would be great if you could go to the bar and pretend you're having something alcoholic, but no such option atm... (can you pull some staff aside and start a conspiracy with them? 'when I ask for a G&T just make me the T and don't tell anyone'.)

I kind of like the hangover suggestion. Or this week I might use post-vaccination side-effects making me feel too ill to drink? (Getting vaccinated on Tuesday.) I am never sick, so I couldn't get away with claiming it's a random stomach bug or antibiotics...

Blueroses99 · 17/05/2021 18:12

Doesn’t table service make it easier if you go to places that you order your own drinks through an app?

MrsCaptainJakeBallard · 17/05/2021 18:14

You need to self isolate as a close contact of someone and don't go?

Sorry I know you probably want to go Grin but antibiotics is always very obvious.

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 17/05/2021 18:15

Virgin cocktails?

Couldhavebeenme2 · 17/05/2021 18:17

Bad reaction to the vaccine?

footprintsintheslow · 17/05/2021 18:23

Don't go?

Popskipiekin · 17/05/2021 18:25

You could go with a half truth, that you’re cutting down because you’re thinking of trying for a baby? Or just tell them, they’ll guess anyway!

FelicityPike · 17/05/2021 18:25

Just say you’re not drinking alcohol?

Svensk10 · 18/05/2021 09:25

Apparently drinking alcohol before or after the vaccine impacts your body's response to it. Could say you're getting the vaccine the day after?

Normando91 · 18/05/2021 10:07

Even if you used the antibiotic line and someone said “omg, are you pregnant?” just say no... 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s not anyone’s business until you make it their business. They’ll still be surprised when you make the announcement later down the line. Will have probably forgotten they even asked you if you were pregnant minutes after asking.

Bunny2021 · 18/05/2021 11:34

What @RusholmeRuffian said - Metronidazole is the only antibiotic you cannot drink on (not recommended with others but you can) but this is literally the only one that will make you so ill if you do.

It's particularly used by dentists - I was prescribed it when I had an infection due to a wisdom tooth issue (I then subsequently asked for penicillin as I was going on a hen do!).

I would suggest coming up with a tooth issue that means you're on that and you didn't think to ask for something else with the husband's birthday coming up...

Missreginafalange · 18/05/2021 11:36

@APurpleSquirrel

Say you're on antibiotics & can't mix with alcohol?

Dead giveaway for pregnancy I've found Grin

SmileyClare · 18/05/2021 11:42
  1. Don't go it might be really shit if you're the only one sober
  1. Have 1 drink and say you're driving early in the morning, have an early start or something
  1. Don't over think it. Most people have enough tact to not mention your pregnancy even if they guess.
  1. Say you're trying to conceive and avoiding alcohol
LuckyMcDucky · 18/05/2021 11:47

Oh that does make it more difficult! Usually I say just pretend you're drinking alcohol, but actually drink plain lemonade / tonic / soda water.

Maybe order one drink and a soft drink with it and get rid of the alcoholic one somehow. Chuck it out or let your OH have a sip?

I remember going away for a boozey weekend with friends and one of the women saying she wouldn't be drinking due to antibiotics. Turned out she genuinely was on metronidazole for a dental problem and truly couldn't drink! But yes, the first thought will always be pregnancy when you use that line.

Juno231 · 18/05/2021 11:52

People that are saying don't go - did you miss it's her husband's birthday??

I think I'd order a drink with the rest of the crew and nurse it - people tend not to notice you not drinking if you're holding a drink. When it's your/OH's turn to order you can order virgin drinks and maybe pass drinks over to OH every now and then? Plus insist you're only doing every other drink as alcoholic so you don't end up a mess - it takes away half of the cover up activities at least Grin

idontlikealdi · 18/05/2021 12:09

Metronidazole is used for vaginal infections - you could always Chuck that out there to avoid further discussion😂

The antibiotic line is such an 'I'm pregnant' sign.

I'd just tell them, if they're your friends they'd want to support you if things didn't work out. I don't know why we're so secretive about pregnancy in the U.K.

Bancha · 18/05/2021 12:16

I went for drinks with someone recently, also a big drinker and a lot of fun. She isn’t pregnant but just said alcohol was making her feel rubbish so she’s stopping for a bit. Everyone was supportive, no one asked anything else.