I think the advice to avoid eating raw seafood comes from concerns about
possible high mercury levels and bacterial contamination.  I've lived
primarily near oceans most of my life.  I LOVE sushi and raw oysters on the
half-shell but am too chicken (no pun intended) to eat them here in the
Midwest because I don't know how fresh the fish is or how it has been
handled or where it was caught.

My husband and I suffered some serious GI distress after eating some raw
oysters in Panama City Beach, Florida while partying over spring break
while in college (and no, it wasn't from drinking too much brau-it really
was the fish!).  I had the same thing happen after eating some California
rolls during my stent with the Army in Honolulu.  They had an off taste but
I thought it was the seasoning of the vegetables inside the roll with the
fish.  Boy, was I wrong!

I can't imagine feeling as bad as I did and being pregnant too.  It was
MUCH worse than the worst morning sickness I've had and I've had plenty in
my life.

If she does eat it, ensuring it's from a reputable source and very fresh is
critical.  We would occasionally make our own sushi from tuna caught while
deep sea fishing around Panama City.  I knew it was fresh, knew how it had
been handled and knew it was caught in safe waters.  I only had problems
with getting sick when I purchased the oysters or the sushi while eating
out.

My mouth is now watering thinking about sushi... oh well, guess I'll have
to stick to T-bones and pork chops around these parts...or chocolate...
Better stop before I have a drool soaked keyboard!

Warmly from Pavlov's Dog...

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Manhattan, KS  USA