OMG! I have a BFP! Now what? What can I NOT EAT? Or drink? Or...everything!!!

[mrsbernstein]

I. Can't. Believe. It!

After years and years of trying...a BFP!!!  I want to scream it from the rooftops!  But so far, have only told two people.  Oh yeah...and y'all!  :-)

This is my first...and besides giving up alcoholics beverages and lessing/cutting out nicotine...what ELSE is an absolute no-no?

I'm reading yes on chocolate, then no on chocolate.

Yes on sushi, no on sushi!

I am so excited about this baby!  And there is so much else going on around him...I wanna do the best I can!

Help please!  And Thank you!

Mrs B

[Chamomile Girl]

Congratulations!!

I'd start with a good prenatal.  And a celebration.

[DanielleT]

lol; congrat's

Like PP i would start taking your prenatals and relax...

[tracymom1]

The first thing I would do is take a DEEP BREATH!!!  And then exhale!!  Congrats!!

There is SO MUCH conflicting information out there about everything - even here on MDC there are a lot of opposing views on prenatal care, pregnancy, parenting, etc...  I think the very best thing to do is be reasonable!  Use your best judgement and do what feels right.  

Some people do not drink coffee during pregnancy... some do

Some people vomit for the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and cannot bear to eat anything other than plain toast and milkshakes... others feel fine and eat whatever they want

Some people do every single prenatal test under the sun and know they will have an epidural... some do no prenatal testing and birth at home

See what I'm getting at?  You just need to figure out what information you will choose to follow and feel CONFIDENT in doing so.  There really isn't any prescribed formula that can apply to every pregnancy and every mama.  And I am sure, that no matter what, you will do exactly what is right for YOU and YOUR baby!!!

[homestyle]

a big congrats to you! for me, singing and early morning walks with the dog were great for those first few weeks (it helped me to relax). also, i found it helpful to avoid Dr. Google as much as possible. take each day as it comes, and enjoy! 

[~Adorkable~]

since you mentioned "lessening" nicotine as a option in your post i would really encourage you to start with quiting that completely, it is one of the few things that is known for sure to harm your baby and the beginning counts the most. so whatever help you need to enlist, that would be a really great place to start.

then prenatal and water and deep breaths, congrats!!!!

when it comes to the rest, things usually fall into 2 types of risk:

those that are toxins and you don't want getting to the baby

examples of this are smoking, high mercy fish, things with lots of chemicals in them, prescription or over the counter drugs that are listed as not ok for pregnancy....

and then there are those that could be dangerous because of what is understood to be a weaker immune system during pregnancy and the risk of infection (it comes as a side effect of the body needed to accommodate a foreign human inside of us without fighting it)

examples of this are raw meat/fish, cold lunch meats, raw cheese, unwashed vegetables...

this second category is less a definite and more about an increased risk, increased how much is a matter of debate.

i personally deal with the two categories a bit differently, the first set of stuff i did my best to always avoid specially in my first trimester when the organs were forming. i figure a few months is a small price to pay for not worrying about what i was doing to my baby

the second set of things i researched and worked to understand the real level of risk and also worked hard at keeping my immune system the best it could be, then i mitigated what risk i could (washed all vegetables, microwaved my lunch meat...)

in the end stress is bad too, so learn and decide but work on not worrying too much.  

sleep and water and including the healthy things will go a long way to helping way way more that too much worry over what could hurt.

[Smokering]

There is SO MUCH conflicting information out there about everything - even here on MDC there are a lot of opposing views on prenatal care, pregnancy, parenting, etc...  I think the very best thing to do is be reasonable!  Use your best judgement and do what feels right. 

Absolutely! Heck, even prenatals are controversial. Try not to get too overwhelmed by all the info.

That said... :p

Folic acid (or better yet, real folate) is a good one to take. Cuts the incidence of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) in half. Most prenatals have it.

Iodine's also a good one - most people are deficient in iodine and taking a supp can reduce the risk of miscarriage, as well as brain damage (for the baby).

A lot of people find that eating protein early in the morning helps reduce morning sickness. So as soon as you open your eyes - before you have a chance to start feeling icky - try to get yourself on the outside of a few fried eggs or a chicken breast or some hummus or peanut butter, or whatever you can stomach. It really helps! Good for energy, too.

For food safety, the most important  tip is TRUST YOUR SOURCE. Sushi, for instance. If you make it yourself and know the rice hasn't been left out for days, and use super-fresh raw fish from a market that guarantees it was fresh-caught that morning, and wash your veggies, and so on and so forth - then it's fine. Buying limp, old-looking sushi from a dodgy takeout place where it's not refrigerated... not so good.

Things to avoid, if you can, include trans fats, MSG (and its relatives, such as hydrolysed vegetable protein), and nitrates. I'd also personally avoid coffee, because it's been associated with increased miscarriage risk - but then, that's easy for me to say, because I don't like it! And yes, quitting smoking should be a top priority.

ANY pregnancy diet, particularly in the first trimester, will be full of compromises. I've eaten MSG-laden crackers to avoid throwing up in the supermarket.... stopped taking my supplements for weeks at a time because I couldn't swallow them without retching... and indulged a few fast food cravings. It's just life. The majority of babies turn out pretty well, so don't stress too much. :p

And congratulations!

[la mamita]

lots of good advice i won't repeat.

if you take any medications currently or end up needing them during pregnancy, www.safefetus.com is a good guide to check whether they are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. OTC meds included.

[erigeron]

We made sushi ourselves with shrimp that was pre-cooked. Shrimp isn't my absolute favorite (that would be salmon), but that way I know I'm on the safe side of any sushi risk. Sealegs (imitation crab) would be an alternative, and there are probably others. So that's my suggestion to anyone who isn't sure if they're okay with eating sushi--go for a cooked fish, or make rolls with veggies but no meat.

My midwife told me I was okay to drink up to 3 cups of coffee a day. Turns out now caffeine makes me queasy, but I drank a lot of coffee before realizing I was pregnant, and I seem to be doing okay. I decided way in advance I'd just base that on personal preference since there are so many conflicting recommendations. If it's easy for you (generic you) to avoid coffee or switch to decaf, go for it, but if you gotta have a little caffeine in the morning, it's not a big deal.

[mrsbernstein]

Thank you all so much!

I'm really trying to stay calm and take faith that my baby is going to be FINE!  And beautiful and perfect!  :-)  I'm so excited I could scream it from the rooftops...and just can't bring myself to tell anyone but my BFF 1,000 miles from me and my counselor.

So far, very few foods have actually REPULSED me...but I am ALWAYS HUNGRY!  And so far, not putting on any weight?  Is this normal?  

How soon should I call a midwife?

Oh, as for the coffee, I'm normally at Starbucks at least twice per day.  Once I had the inkling I might be, you know, I cut my NIGHT drink from a mocha to just a hot chocolate.  I know, not perfect, but I'm new to this.  And I'm sort of alternating my mornings of having caff vs no caff.  

I have a cat, but am so thankful I read the thread on Toxo...and am not going to stress over that...I have enough to stress about.

Here's what a dork I am: Last night, we went to dinner and I ordered a Rueben.  It was GOOD.  Really good.  And on my 3rd bite, I remembered my friend saying pg ladies aren't supposed to eat luncheon meat...and am battling in my head about whether or not corned beef was a lunch meat.  OK...that almost ruined dinner.  

Thank you all so much for listening to my ramblings!  I am so excited about this baby, and I just want to do the best for him that I can.  I would love to bring him into a perfect, loving family...but that I can't promise him.  All I can promise him right now is all my love and hugs and kisses.  

Mrs b

[BarefootScientist]

First of all, congratulations!  :joy  I know it's really hard to relax when everything is so exciting and new, but please try.  ;)  I personally try not to pay too much attention to those long lists of "don't do this while pregnant!!OMGX NOOOO" stuff.  IME most of it is based on worst case scenario that something bad could happen in some pregnant women.  Making a blanket rec that ALL pregnant women should avoid it like the plague completely and NEVER have any is just...kind of dumb IMO. 

Here's what I think you should do:

*Stop smoking.

*Stay hydrated.

*Start looking for a midwife or doctor.  Start thinking about the type of prenatal care and place of birth you'd like.

*You may want to consider cutting back on caffeine.

*Don't take any drugs without checking that they're safe.

*Eat as healthful a diet as possible.

*Beyond that, enjoy what you want to enjoy in moderation.

Happy and healthy 9 months!  :)

ETA:  Oh, and to answer your other question, if you just got your BFP, no you won't be gaining any weight yet.  Actually since it's your first, it could take a couple months before you start noticing weight gain and your belly popping out.  It did for me.  :thumb

[erigeron]

I was hungry ALL the time early in my pregnancy. CONSTANTLY.

It's gotten a little better now (I'm not that far along, in week 11 now). But yeah, I was hungry ALL the time, and that's not the symptom people hear about as much.

So I ate, and I did put on some weight. Typically you won't put on much weight in the first trimester. I think I am the exception.

But I was hungry.

I wouldn't worry too much about the lunch meat thing. Just get your sandwich heated up next time.

[mrsbernstein]

Well...now I feel a little better about that Reuben sitting in the fridge.  Just WAITING for me to pop it in the toaster oven and devour it!

:-)

Mrs B

[KempsMama]

My only "rule" during pregnancy is everything in moderation, from sources I trust to prepare it properly, or prepared myself, meaning it's washed well and cooked properly and comes from a source I trust. 

I've had a beer or glass of wine, I've eaten sushi, I love my seafood and turkey sandwiches (and no, I don't microwave my turkey...ewwwww.)  I do lessen my caffeine intake, only because when I'm not pregnant or breastfeeding I consume a TON of it. 

Everyone has to find their own comfort level.  Many things that are "taboo" here in the U.S. are standard fare in other countries and they don't think twice about consuming them when pregnant. 

I'm a big "anti culture of fear" gal myself, so take all this as you will.

[Buddhamom]

CONGRATS!

Yup, like many have said, cut out the alcohol and smoking.  Get on a good prenatal and get a midwife or OB soon.  Stay clear of a lot of the over the counter meds.  The only things my midwife cleared with me is tylenol (NOT ibuprofen) and chlortrimeton for my allergies. I basically used a cold face cloth for those nagging hormone headaches early on and just dealt with the allergies.  WATER< WATER< WATER!!!! Keep hydrated and the extra helps a LOT with warding off constipation.  Can't comment on caffeine, chocolate or any animal produced items as I don't take them in even when not pregnant.

[mrsbernstein]

Y'all friggin ROCK!

I called the midwife, and have an appointment for the week after Christmas!  HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!  

I am not telling ANYONE (well, except the 2 that know) until at least the New Year...not even my beloved.  So...last night, I wanted to buy some prenatals...and drove to a city 30 minutes from here where I don't know EVERY single person who works at the HFS!  How sad is that!

The alcohol is gone...not really THAT hard...but I am a social drinker.  Not heavy...but often.  And the cigs, really only when I'm shopping and am driving around in teh car...so I'm cutting down on that.  And of course, am working to cut them out.  Fortunately, or maybe it doesn't even matter, I only smoke about 1/2 pack or LESS per day.  Money to save towards the midwife, of course!  :-)

Now...for LUNCH!  That half of a Rueben was only a snack!  :-)  

Mrs B

[Smokering]

And so far, not putting on any weight?  Is this normal? 

Absolutely. In fact, a lot of women LOSE weight in the first trimester due to morning sickness. (Don't try to lose weight though, obviously!) On the other hand, don't be surprised if you start to look pregnant before it makes sense physiologically - ie, when you know your uterus is still hiding below your pubic bone. Bloating is very common in the first tri. This time, I actually bloated up, then got smaller as the bloating decreased, because my uterus hadn't caught up yet. I'm finally expanding again at 13 weeks. It's random. :p

And the cigs, really only when I'm shopping and am driving around in teh car...so I'm cutting down on that.  And of course, am working to cut them out.  Fortunately, or maybe it doesn't even matter, I only smoke about 1/2 pack or LESS per day.

OK, not to nag you, but even half a pack a day (which actually seems like quite a lot to me, but I'm a non-smoker, so maybe I'm out of the loop?) does matter, health-wise. Your midwife can probably give you better information (or google something like "studies moderate smoking pregnancy") - I don't know if nicotine patches or gum are considered safe for pregnancy?

[KempsMama]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

OK, not to nag you, but even half a pack a day (which actually seems like quite a lot to me, but I'm a non-smoker, so maybe I'm out of the loop?) does matter, health-wise. Your midwife can probably give you better information (or google something like "studies moderate smoking pregnancy") - I don't know if nicotine patches or gum are considered safe for pregnancy?

Patches/Gum are considered a better alternative to smoking, but not really considered safe, just the lesser of two evils. 

[mrsbernstein]

I completely hear y'all on the smoking.  And I've had 2 cigs today...and the second made me want to, you know.

When I first saw the BFP, I started reading on Dr. Google, and found the some research has shown that "cold turkey" can 

stress the baby.  eeks.  So...I'm decreasing...and at this rate, quite quickly!  But not officially "cold turkey".

As for the weight gain...I'm noticing that my tighter jeans are getting tighter...but not TOO tight, kwim?

Thank you all so much for your help!!  

Mrs B

[nintendork]

When I quit smoking I found that one of the best resources was http://quitnet.com/qnhomepage.aspx  Their forums are amazingly supportive and they send you an email every morning with how much money you have saved and how many days you have added back to your life by quitting.  3 years later I have no desire to smoke but I still get my email every morning and smile!