What are the don'ts of pregnancy?

[Barcino]

I have been pg before but I am trying to remember what are no nos of pregnancy. Not obvious ones but things like sushi, soft cheese (what soft cheese?) deli meats? What else?

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by Barcino

I have been pg before but I am trying to remember what are no nos of pregnancy. Not obvious ones but things like sushi, soft cheese (what soft cheese?) deli meats? What else?

Deli meats and soft cheese? Why can't you have those? I am 10 weeks preg with my first so any advice is helpful

[wholewheatmama]

With deli meats and soft cheeses (brie, queso, feta...), there is a risk of Listeria. Not a big deal for a healthy adult...big deal for a fetus. Some people say heated (til steaming) deli meats and pasteurized (which almost all store bought in the U.S. are) soft cheeses are fine, but others just avoid to be on the safe side.

Deli meats also have nitrates, along with bacon, ham, hot dogs, so those are no-nos as well.

Any sauces or dressings made with raw eggs.

[DBZ]

When you are overdue don't go bowling in hopes it'll bring on ctx, especially if you've only gone rarely in your life. Your pelvis will feel like those pins and you will be praying that you don't go into labor. Trust me. I speak from experience.


You should be careful about what kind of teas you drink. I'd also check the ingredients on any energy type of drink.

[heatherRN]

If you have a cat, don't change the cat litter (toxoplasmosis). And then there is the obvious, no alcohol and limit caffeine to no more then one cup a day. Also avoid artificial sweeteners (saccharin is bad, aspartame is okay as far as I remember, but I just avoid them all the time).
Careful with herbs, some cause uterine contractions. Check kelleymom for safe herbs during pg.

[alegna]

Eh, I think most of the warnings are overblown. Personally I don't drink alcohol pregnant (though I would consider a glass of wine here or there in the third trimester... : ) but I have no problem with those who do.

I never really eat artificial sweeteners (an occaisional piece of sugar free gum... less when pregnant)

And that's about it. As far as what I really put stock in.

-Angela

[gottaknit]

Originally Posted by alegna

Eh, I think most of the warnings are overblown. Personally I don't drink alcohol pregnant (though I would consider a glass of wine here or there in the third trimester... : ) but I have no problem with those who do.

I never really eat artificial sweeteners (an occaisional piece of sugar free gum... less when pregnant)

And that's about it. As far as what I really put stock in.

-Angela

:
Don't get drunk. Don't do drugs. Don't smoke. Give up cheese? No way!

[Barcino]

Thanks so much! I am trying to use common sense but not live this pregnancy in fear. Do you guys have a link to any discussions on what herbal teas are ok during pregnancy and whcih aren't? I stop coffee so I would love to have some tea during pregnancy. I always have the hardest time searching in mothering though so if anybody knows where threads on tea and pregnancy might be I would appreciate it

[barefootpoetry]

I heard recently that green tea is bad for pregnant mothers. Oops - I drank about a gallon of it a day when I was expecting DS!

[Kikorangi]

Another thing to avoid - saunas and hot spas... you don't want to overheat your baby. Oh, and undercooked meat (may carry toxoplasmosis), alcohol, too much coffee... and stress!

[Peony]

It's not as easy to overheat baby as you think it would be. The time your internal temp would be increasing that much, you would not be comfortable and would be getting out. I soaked in our hot tub almost every single day during DD2's pg, and she survived.

I don't really change much during pg, I don't smoke or drink anyway, I do switch to decaf coffee, but otherwise I live my life.

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by DBZ

When you are overdue don't go bowling in hopes it'll bring on ctx, especially if you've only gone rarely in your life. Your pelvis will feel like those pins and you will be praying that you don't go into labor. Trust me. I speak from experience.

Just for the record, I ate whatever stayed down (health condition, see sig for details) and that included deli meats a few times.

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by heatherRN

If you have a cat, don't change the cat litter (toxoplasmosis).

Not true! I asked my vet. It's safe.

[barefootpoetry]

Originally Posted by Justthatgirl

Not true! I asked my vet. It's safe.

You're right. My midwife said that if you've had cats for a number of years (I've had them all my life) then you've probably already been exposed to toxioplasmosis and thought it was jsut a cold or something. So you have a natural immunity.

This is good, because even me being pregnant couldn't get DH to clean the litterbox. :

[mama2rey]

Originally Posted by barefootpoetry

You're right. My midwife said that if you've had cats for a number of years (I've had them all my life) then you've probably already been exposed to toxioplasmosis and thought it was jsut a cold or something. So you have a natural immunity.

This is good, because even me being pregnant couldn't get DH to clean the litterbox. :

SHHHH don't tell DP!! I got her cleaning the cat box!! Seriously-there is a lot of hype about what you can and can't do pregnant. I think it's about moderation and what you are comfortable with. I eat sushi sometimes, and deli meats. I tend to avoid tuna mostly because I don't like it-and that pregnant women should avoid it also helps!

[angie3096]

There are some fish that you are supposed to avoid because of mercury. I can't remember all the names of them; I'm not a big fish eater so it's not an issue for me but if you google mercury in fish you'll get a list.

[LaurenB]

Originally Posted by expectantmami

SHHHH don't tell DP!! I got her cleaning the cat box!! Seriously-there is a lot of hype about what you can and can't do pregnant. I think it's about moderation and what you are comfortable with. I eat sushi sometimes, and deli meats. I tend to avoid tuna mostly because I don't like it-and that pregnant women should avoid it also helps!

Yeah, shhhhhhhh!!!! My DP is all over the litterbox duties here. I would be sad if something happened to change that for me. :

[misskerri]

Originally Posted by barefootpoetry

You're right. My midwife said that if you've had cats for a number of years (I've had them all my life) then you've probably already been exposed to toxioplasmosis and thought it was jsut a cold or something. So you have a natural immunity.

This is good, because even me being pregnant couldn't get DH to clean the litterbox. :

Plus...cats contract and transmit toxoplasmosis by eating live prey. If your cats are 100% indoor cats (all 3 of mine are, and have never been allowed outdoors), and only eat prepared foods, there's really no chance they have toxoplasmosis to begin with.

But I still make the hubby clean the litter box, just because I don't like to do it.

[JamieCatheryn]

Originally Posted by angie3096

There are some fish that you are supposed to avoid because of mercury. I can't remember all the names of them; I'm not a big fish eater so it's not an issue for me but if you google mercury in fish you'll get a list.

Tuna mainly.

[mkmoro311]

Mayo is also a no no, but Ok if made in USA, it's pasterized, same goes for the cheese issue!

Also, don't say you did something and your baby turned out just fine, you don't know what kind of issues that child could develope years down the line from what you did or did not due during your pregnancy!