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Original poster

I ate swordfish - trying not to panic... reassurance please???!!!!

26 replies

Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:11

I just read that you're not supposed to eat swordfish AT ALL when pregnant. I didn't know this and ate a swordfish steak when I was 8 weeks pregnant (now 10+4). Do you think the baby will be ok?

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moondog · 02/10/2008 20:12

Don't worry about it. Really

StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2008 20:13

Being pg I didn't eat swordfish when pg
But the general consensus on these threads is don't panic - as a one off it's more than likely to be fine
I think the guidelines abut swordfish, tuna etc are about high levels of mercury (???) which can build up in your body - unlikely from a 1 off
Congratulations on your pregnancy

StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2008 20:13

Being vegetarian
and slightly stupid

JuneBugJen · 02/10/2008 20:14

Its the mercury you are meant to be worried about I think.

Don't worry. As a dentist all I did through both pg's was inhale other peoples mercury as I removed their fillings so that they didnt have to have mercury fillings!

Both dcs are fine. (dd a bit cobby though)

Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:15

I wasn't worried, but then I read that tuna/salmon is ok a few times a week, but swordfish has really high levels of mercury that can affect the baby's nervous system. I had initially assumed swordfish was in the same category as tuna/salmon - so now scared because it was so explicit that should't eat it AT ALL.

I know you're probably right moondog - I'm just being an over-emotional pregnant nightmare, but can't help but worry

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Mutt · 02/10/2008 20:15

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Twelvelegs · 02/10/2008 20:15

Mercury, have you eaten any thermomters manufactured before 1980??? If not don't worry!! Congratulations.

Snaf · 02/10/2008 20:15

It will be fine. Absolutely fine.

The advice to avoid swordfish is because it is likely to have higher levels of methylmercury than other fish - but one serving won't be a problem. If you were eating it regularly you might build up a harmful level but not from a one-off.

StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2008 20:16

Bicnod I can understand as I was the same. Can you talk to your mw tomorrow to be reassured?

Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:17

Sorry, cross-posted with EVERYONE. Thanks JuneBug, that makes me feel a bit better...

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nolongeraworriedmummy · 02/10/2008 20:17

Is this to do with mercury levels?I wouldnt worry too much as a one off you should be fine.

FWIW I rarely drink alcohol but when 9 weeks pregnant with dd (and didnt know about it)my friend was leaving for Australia to live and I drank a ridiculas amount, then fell {blush] and had leg xrays and then injections during dental treatment, all of which you shouldnt have when pregnant. I also had emergency surgery for massive ovarian cysts when 20wks pregnant and had morphine and codine ect then,

dd is absoloutley fine {god knows how!)

JuneBugJen · 02/10/2008 20:18

Hope you are ok during your pg Bicnod and dont worry about it at all! Enjoy your pregnancy.

Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:19

ok, will try to stop stressing... i guess there's nothing i can do about it now anyway.

might mention to MW at next appt if still worrying...

thanks everyone

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Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:21

OMG nolongerworried - that's some story! i think a lot of the guidelines must be a lot more cautious than they need to be...

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StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2008 20:25

Exactly. Stuff I've read says "avoid..", not "Under no circumstances...and do ... if you do"
In my booking in appointment the MW told me to peel all potatoes before eating them. I nodded and then got home and realised I'd planned jacket potatoes for that night

Mutt · 02/10/2008 20:26

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Snaf · 02/10/2008 20:28

'Peel all potatoes'? I despair sometimes.

Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:28

really?!!! peel all potatoes? that's so weird - i've never heard of that. just had a jacket potato for my dinner... oh no, not something else to worry about

i'm usually pretty sensible about these things - think i must be having a fresh hormone influx today or something...

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Mutt · 02/10/2008 20:29

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Original poster
Bicnod · 02/10/2008 20:30

Hehe

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nolongeraworriedmummy · 02/10/2008 20:33

You know before we all had the internet etc didnt we all eat these things and babies were absoloutley fine?

I remember my mum saying that they xrayed her to look at the position I was lying in when she was pregnant as they didnt have scans and Im fine [twitches]

usernamechanged345 · 02/10/2008 20:33

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StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2008 21:10

Sorry Bicnod
FWIW i thought oh ffs and ate the potato!
Exactly MrsP - that's what I was trying to say. Guidelines to me imply best practice / to be absolutely sure

brettgirl2 · 04/10/2008 09:52

Why not phone mw if you are worried because she will reassure you. I fessed to drinking half a bottle of red wine the day before I found out I was pg to GP she was pretty chilled about it, which made me feel better!!!

gunawardana · 19/09/2013 05:37

I'm 1 month pregnant. I ate sward fish last few days for about 4 - 5 times. I didn't knew it's harmful. Will it affect my child? Anything that I can do now..