Is Sushi safe to eat when pregnant?

I am 12 weeks pregnant and have been having really bad cravings for sushi.  But I have it in my head that it is unsafe for me to partake in it.  I only eat California rolls and Dynamite rolls so there is no fish in them.  Just immitation crab and prawns.  Does anyone know if I can eat it or not?

Thanks for your comments.

[chellybeans]

only cooked, never raw and you are supposed to limit your shellfish intake due to mercury so the prawns would need to be limited too. there is a certain ounce limit per week you should be able to look up.

:)

[pertykitty]

im sure if its cooked you can eat it.  its the raw fish that is what you need to watch out for.  however when a sushi bar makes the food, there are bacteria everywhere while they roll away.  

[AnnieBrooke]

The only thing that worried me about sushi when I was pregnant was the fear that the cutting surfaces would have raw fish juices or whatever on them, and they would cut my nicely cooked fish on the same cutting board.  That was pretty far-fetched, but I did forsake sushi when I was pregs because of this.  Your choice, really.  :)

[KellyTexas]

Go to www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/fishmercury.htm - it has a great chart on the different levels of mercury.  But - I would definitely avoid anything raw period.

[Wanting]

Thanks everyone.  I think I will stick with my 'no sushi' vow during the next 6 months.  I might as well just keep it safe!!  I appreciate your comments!

[pertykitty]

i see annie and myself have the same thoughts lol.  i believe you can eat as much shrimp as you want, but look up the list.  i normally love shrimp but the thought makes me want to throw up right now!

[Me2mommy2b]

I ate sushi while pregnant but it's running the risk of getting sick (really sick).  But I did read somewhere that the bacteria doesn't really pass the placenta.  Am I opening a can of worms??  It's really up to you to decide.  I didn't eat it until I was 7-8 months pregnant.

[ImmortalOne]

I had California Rolls while pregnant... shhh I was bad.  Anyhow Lilith is healthy and everything is good.

[jjerzeegirl]

LOL..the thought of eating shrimp makes me feel sick as well...
i am 16 weeks preg.
I stuck to the books with my first pregnancy..no caffeine, no tuna, no lunch meat...etc...
but this time around..i have had a tuna sandwich once a month and have a cup of coffee once a day..i have also had cali. rolls to full my sushi craving as well....
as long as you don't eat these foods often, i believe we are fine....

[Wanting]

I haven't had any tuna because I am afraid of that.....
I suppose that most things are in moderation.  I do have 1 beverage a day that does contain caffeine.  Be it a cup of tea, a coke, or an iced tea.  Nothing more than that.  I had found that I was getting withdrawl (withdrawal) headaches because I quit it all together so I have to have at least one a day.  No harm in that.  I belive you are actually allowed to have 3 500ml cups a day.....correct me if I am wrong.
You guys are really making me want to have the sushi.  I really think I would have it maybe once every 2 weeks if I have to cave in and have it!  haha!  We'll see!  

[ImmortalOne]

Well California Rolls don't have uncooked fish in it.  That should be relatively safe, especially if made fresh.

[Tanker Chic]

As long as there isn't raw seafood in them, you can have them.  I love the raw fish sushi, but as a fix to get me through the pg, I have been eating the rolls with the cooked seafood.  

[shadow23]

It is not necessarily getting sick from the fish you need to worry about.  It is the medication that can cause problems to your baby.  The medication is necessary if you contract a parasite that is sometimes present in lower quality sushi.  Also, as the ladies said above, certain fish even cooked need to be eat in moderation due to the level of mercury.