Shhh - share your leeeeetle white lies during pregnancy with PG tips Decaf and you could win £250 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

You may know know the advice is to cut down on caffeine during pregnancy.

Inspired by threads like this the team at PG tips Decaff want you to share your best little white lies told in early pregnancy. Maybe the ones about why you're not drinking or why your usual has changed that you told your friends or work colleagues in those precious few weeks between P-ingOAS and getting a positive and feeling confident enough to be able to announce the pregnancy. Or you may have a top tip on explaining why you're not on the strong(er) stuff all of a sudden.

The team at PG tips Decaff say "With PG tips decaf, you can still enjoy the splendid luxury and taste of a nice cuppa, without having to think about the caffeine as it contains less than 10mg per cup - available in packs of 40, 80 or 160"

So share your tips, lies told and examples of when you had to think on your feet on this thread: everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £250 voucher for the store of their choice.

thanks and good luck

MNHQ

[perfectstorm]

I live in a village where everyone goes to the coffee shop or pub to meet - mums, always coffee shop in the day. The cafe owner knew I was pregnant within a week because I asked her to give me decaff tea and coffee when we all ordered, without mentioning to anyone. She is a star and did precisely that - no fibs necessary! And at the pub, I just made sure to get the first round in and ordered a tonic without the gin, and then refused a second drink. Nobody clicked - sad indictment of how little I drink these days, though!

My top tip is to get the staff of your local pub or cafe on side, if you're a regular, and they will ensure your beverages are baby-friendly from the off without any drama!

[ParsleyF1]

I told everyone my allergies were really bad and the doctor had advised me to cut out wheat (beer) and wine. This was fine until there was bread on the table, which I would wolf down and then remember that I was off wheat.

I said I could have a gin and tonic, but would carry a spare tonic can in my bag. When we were alone, my husband would down the gin and we'd surreptitiously empty plain tonic into the glass. Always a challenge to cover the lovely can opening sound (which is remarkably loud! )

[Nittyb]

I used to say I was on antibiotics !

[loopsyloup]

I told my DH that doing the washing up made me feel nauseous (it did once, and to be fair I had morning sickness for the whole nine months). He did ALL the washing up for the whole pregnancy - and we didn't have a dishwasher then either!

[whattoWHO]

I'm not really a drinker, so that wasn't a problem.
However the smell of coffee and tea made me heaveheave in the first trimester, so that was a bit tricky. I used to say "no thanks, ivey just had one". Not sure I was always believed, but couldn't think of a better excuse.

[charlieandlola]

It was lent and I often give up things for Lent, so no one batted an eyelid! Perfect timing :0

[KittieCat]

I drank copious amounts of decaf tea and always made sure I bought the work coffee and that it was decaffeinated (we had a container for ground coffee that was topped up so no one knew). My poor colleagues were, unbeknownst to them, drinking decaf 'proper' coffee for two months. I still feel The Guilt.
When out I was strategic and made sure DH or I bought my drinks that were gin and tonic... without the gin!

[helenthemadex]

I managed to keep my pregnancy secret until I was 12 weeks, not easy when I was a midwife and certain things made me feel quite ill. I used the low blood sugars excuse a few times for my constant eating and tiredness, strangely it was still a surprise when I confessed

[rootypig]

Not sure if this counts, but I was so tired and nauseous I pretty much became a hermit anyway. And we told family and friends because (I reasoned) I would need / want them to know if I miscarried.

I was a mature student at the time - well, 28! - and skipped out on pub drinking saying I couldn't handle it because I was so old. The 21 year olds accepted this solemn faced and nodding

[Pollaidh]

First time tried the 'no champagne, want to remember my wedding' but soon came clean to anyone who saw me as I had hyperemesis. Except my boss no one at work knew until 6 months as I lost so much weight there was no bump (and when I was off with hyperemesis they just thought I was ill as had been off recently with women's stuff. No one dared ask as they're all men).

[BellaVida]

Here's how I did it.
Tiredness- late night or think I'm going down with something.
Morning sickness- food poisoning, tummy bug
Not drinking alcohol- driving, detox, diet, on medication or one of the above excuses.
Caffeine- only drank tea, substituted some for fruit tea explained by a health kick.
Anything else not conducive to pregnancy- have prior engagement, working, visiting family, one of other children has activity/ play date etc.
Easy!!

[meepsmum]

My lovely husband poured a glass of "champagne" for me when seeing in the new year with friends but had hidden fizzy apple juice in the fridge so it looked like I was joining in with the toasts and no one suspected at all! It was such a fun secret at that point. I didn't miss the champagne either. ..that much!!

[cspinks12]

I cant drink anything with too much caffeine in as I don't tolerate it well, I get terrible palpitations. so only decaf coffee for me and I stay away from red bull and high caffeine drinks. my close friends knew I was pregnant from day one so going out and avoiding alcoholic drinks was a doddle I just lied to everyone else and passed off the odd coke and orange as to having vodka in it...

[MollyDoublyBarrely]

I am having to ensure that OH pours/orders my drink in the company of friends.

I also had to tell work that i came down with a bout of Norovirus following being sick in a bin at work.

[majjsu]

I did give up caffeine, when asked why I just replied I was suffering bad heads with drinking too much caffeine.

On going out drinking, I used to buy myself a lemonade and pretended it had vodka in or I would say I was having one soft drink for every alcoholic one, as did not want to waste my weekend with a hangover.

They all worked!

[NumptyNameChange]

i didn't tell anyone i was pregnant till after my midway scan (other than a couple of very close friends) - when it gets to that stage you not only have to lie about changed habits but start dressing in big baggy jumpers and coping with sideways looks at how much weight you've put on.

i think everyone thought it was a weird health kick that saw me giving up alcohol and smoking yet piling on weight. i blamed it all on giving up smoking.

[Halfbaked]

I roped in a friend to help me tackle drinking, she would loudly ask if I wanted another vodka and coke and get the rounds in.

Weirdly this time round ( I am 5 weeks pregnant) I have to accept a caffeinated tea at my mums and SIL's as they both drink decaf, but keep caffeinated tea in for guests!! I'm not quite ready to tell them yet and they'd guess in an instant if I asked for a decaf!

[GreenRedBlueYellowPurple]

Rootypig that is funny!

[DontmindifIdo]

I started 24 hours in advance sending texts claiming to have a bug, and that I'd have to cancel, then I was "feeling better, so would come along for a little bit, but think best if I don't drink".

I'm a big coffee drinker and so I still allowed myself one or two cups a day, but would keep the cup on my desk with the coffee dregs in it, if someone came to my desk, I'd often put my hands round the cup like it was hot, if I was offered a brew, smile and say I was just finishing this one. I don't think anyone noticed I went from drinking around 8-10 cups of coffee a day to drinking 1 that way, but I'm a nightmare now, anyone suddenly choosing the decaf option makes me suspicious!

[xxmissbrightsidexx]

The old faithful white lie of being on antibiotics lol x,

[AnnMumsnet]

Hello - thanks for sharing your tips!
Am pleased to say Pinter has been selected as the winner of the £250 voucher for the store of her choice - well done!

[BonzoDooDah]

I blamed decorating the new house on why I was completely exhausted all the time. Up all night plastering might have been read ass getting plastered... but no one saw me as I was asleep by 7pm.