Second time moms GTKY. <but fun for all >

elizabethrn87

what “advice” or “rules” did you follow the first time but find you are more relaxed about this time around? 



For me or me it’s hot baths. I gave them up first time around- this time nope. Can’t do it.

hillbillywife

I’m a third time Mom so I pretty much throw all the rules out the window  jk, I kid. I think maybe lunch meat? I just ordered a hoagie from a fundraiser and I can’t wait to eat it in 3 weeks lol. 

stillcozy

Is it bad I also pretty much threw everything out the window and I was fairly laid back the first time. I do avoid hottubs but I take hot baths haha I eat lunch meat. I have never liked sushi so I guess i dont eat that but if I liked it I probably would haha

mamabird18

Coffee! I wouldn't drink any caffeine the first time around. Now I can't deal without a small cup, especially through that first tri with a toddler!!!

mhaack92

Hot baths! I took 1 lukewarm bath my entire pregnancy with my son (yuck). This time I feel like I need them! My lower back is already killing me! I think it’s from lugging around my 30 lb two year old all the time. 

amylu914

Caffeine. I didn't drink a single drop in my first pregnancy but have had a few hot or iced teas a week with this one. I just get so tired of water and anything else tastes too sweet. 

I also had a few sandwiches with deli meat during first tri on days when literally nothing else sounded good for lunch. 

elizabethrn87

The lunch meat I didn’t worry about with the first and I definitely watched my caffeine closer. 


I feel feel like I forgot some of the rules too. But do t have the drive to read every little thing like I did with my first. 

4deep

I don’t do drugs or drink alcohol. Other than that, I’m not sure I follow any “rules”. 

I take hot showers, eat the “no no’s”, drink caffeine everyday.

I nourish and protect my body, therefore the baby. That’s all I worry about. 

angleyeskkhr

I guess because it’s been so long since I was pregnant and I had such a hard time getting pregnant (plus I’m still worried about all the complications I had in first pregnancy reoccuring), that I’m still pretty much following all the same rules. I never gave up hot baths the first time and I’m not this time (but my water heater is set so it doesn’t get super hot anyway), but I won’t eat lunch meat if it hasn’t been heated, I’m staying away from romaine because of the E. coli outbreak, I’ve stayed away from cokes/coffee (only had it once so far and only because my husband bought it and I couldn’t exchange it. Lol). I severely limit my green tea, etc. 

im sure I’m being paranoid, but who knows. 

amylu914

I didn't even know hot showers/baths were an issue. I practically scald myself every time I shower so there's that.

elizabethrn87

amylu914 said:

I didn't even know hot showers/baths were an issue. I practically scald myself every time I shower so there's that.

I have restless leg syndrome - I can’t take my
medication while pregnant. So warm baths are the only thing that bring relief- temporary relief but still.

kat029

I drink coffee. Pretty paranoid about being more relaxed about things, though. I'm an annoyingly anxious person.

Kenya715

I was relaxed first pregnancy, it was my husband who watched me like a hawk. I neeeeeed my coffee every morning and he would make sure I only had exactly 11 oz or less. This time around, he doesn't care as much. I drink my two cups and that's it. I'm not a big deli meat eater as it is but I did have sushi right after I found out I was KU. I was craving it sooo hard and was in SoCal at one of my favorite sushi restaurants. It was divine. 

SmashJam

The only thing I don't even try to give up that I tried to give up first pregnancy was coffee. I ended up drinking it still first pregnancy because I got crazy bad headaches but 2nd and this one I just stick to the limits. Second pregnancy I ate lunch meat occasionally, and had goat cheese once or twice, but I think this pregnancy I'll mostly stick to the old rules. I know that nothing I did caused my daughter's heart condition but at this point, I just don't want to risk anything happening that will make me feel bad down the road!

That being said, that's now. Who knows what I'll feel later. My in laws are coming for dinner Saturday and I wanna make a nice spinach salad but I can't even think of a good cheese to put in it besides goat! 

acunamatada

I didn’t even bother trying to cut back on coffee this time around. With my first I switched to half caf and weaned off. One or two cups a day won’t hurt! 
Hot baths and occasional lunch meat. I don’t enjoy sushi, if I did I’d probably still eat it. I’m trying to stay away from romaine because I don’t want a bleeding butthole, but otherwise I eat what I want within reason. 

powellgirl

I was a super healthy eater with my son. Tons of veggies and fruit, lean protein, and whole grains. This time around I pretty much just eat pizza. I’ve never liked sushi or coffee, so those aren’t even temptations for me lol I’ve stayed away from lunch meat so far, mostly because it doesn’t sound good. If I have a craving, I’ll eat it though. 

BrittG13

For whatever dumb reason I'm way more paranoid this time around so still following all the rules. I have my one cup of coffee, don't eat deli meat unless it's been heated in the oven (ham and swiss sliders anyone?!)...I don't eat sushi anyway so that's not a sacrifice...I have taken lots more medicine this time around but I've had more symptoms this time around..

cseley321

Last pregnancy I gave up caffeine, lunch meat, and sushi. I never picked caffeine back up (I never was a coffee drinker, I used to drink soda). But this time I have been eating lunch meat and already had a cooked sushi roll.

I want to take hot baths again more than anything, but until this spot on my leg heals I cant

michelle_bird

Other than cutting back on caffeine (which I never really got back into after because I was nursing) and cutting out cold lunch meat and raw sushi, I don't think I followed any of the rules.  I took hot baths and showers and still do this time - my doc said if it was too hot I would get flushed/dizzy and that meant I needed to get out.  I didn't even know about the cheese thing - I thought it was only pasteurized.

I actually realized recently that I can take MORE meds now that I'm pregnant than I could before because I was still nursing my daughter and couldn't take any decongestants. 

comealongponds

I didn’t change much this time. I still only eat heated lunch meat (thanks to the Listeria outbreak here a few years ago) and I don’t overdo the caffeine like I used to but I never really picked back up after my boys were born anyways since I breast fed them and didn’t want them bouncing off the walls (and they didn’t fully wean until I was pregnant again). I still have hot baths and otherwise pretty well eat what I want!

WorkinWeezel

@hillbillywife- same

1. Alcohol-  Not one drop with the other two, but I've had some sips here and there with this one.

2. Running- this is a rule I've never followed.  I've worked out through all three (so far) including running, elliptical, walking at high incline, yoga, zumba, etc... 

3. Lunch Meat- I won't eat hot lunch meat so if I reeeeeeally want a sandwich, I have one.

4. Coffee- I have a cup/day, and sometimes a second cup if I feel like I need it.  I've been drinking iced tea in the middle of the day maybe 2 or 3x/week.  I actually drank more coffee with my first.

I don't really like soft cheese (except Feta) so that's not really an issue.  I'm also avoiding romaine because of the recent outbreak.  

runsomewhere

Most pregnancy "rules" are actually either old wives tales or incredibly outdated. I saw the same doctor during both pregnancy and he's always told me that he's not putting any limits on me in terms of what I eat or do physically and to use common sense. I do not drink alcohol during pregnancy but I think that a few oz a week are fine it's just what I prefer. I did enjoy an ice cold n/a beer on a hot day last time though and will this time too. 

The way I approach it is that unfortunately things can happen during pregnancy. Typically they happen because there is a structural problem with the embryo, this is something that cannot be prevented, and if it's a healthy pregnancy it will likely be totally fine despite what you eat or don't eat. 

amylu914

Omg I just realized I ate romaine yesterday. Boss took us to Morton's steakhouse for lunch and my three course lunch came with a DELICIOUS Cesar salad. Didn't even cross my mind. Off to Google how long it takes for ecoli symptoms to show up. 

runsomewhere

@amylu914 I wouldn't worry about it, all lettuce that was at risk was pulled from stores and restaurants at the time of the recall. 

Sarafuss

Caffeine for sure.  I'm pretty sure I stick to the less than 200mg recommendation anyway but I know some people give it up completely and that's just not happening.  I kind of avoid things like hot baths, lunch meat and sushi since I shower rather than take baths (but I'm not concerned about a hot shower), think cold lunch meat is gross anyway and wouldn't eat raw fish if you paid me.  I do eat sushi with cooked fish though.  I had goat cheese on a pizza last week and didn't think twice about it.  

gingerbride26

Really the only thing I'm sticking to so far is the meds thing... so i've had 2 sinus infections already and was sick for 2 months straight because, let's face it, benedryl just gives you a crappy nap.  I also have a chronic joint pain condition, but I've been a good girl and quit all ibruprofen when i found out i was pregnant (was on 800 mg 3x a day before - so holy ouchies with these cold snaps). 

Last time i stuck to cooked sushi from reputable places, this time i'm eating the kind I like from our usual places.  I've cut back from my usual quad shots of espresso 2x a day to one triple or 1 cup of coffee...but between precocious toddler and insomnia starting already due to pain...touch my caffeine and i'll cut you. 0:-)

hillbillywife

@gingerbride26 it’s so hard for me to quit ibuprofen! I don’t take it for any reason but it just works so much better than anything else for me. I actually took some during the middle of my pregnancy last time because I had a headache for like 2 weeks and couldn’t handle it anymore. 

stillcozy

@hillbillywife I completely understand it is the same for me. I have been tempted so many times with these headaches to take it but I am trying so hard not to but it really is a struggle when you are in pain and start to feel desperate 

celainev

I guess I looked up more things last time. This time I partially forgot about most things. I eat sushi once a week but only California rolls or vegetarian items. I would have eaten raw salmon (my guilty pleasure) but my sister’s boyfriend regularly fishes salmon and he says he can’t eat raw salmon because he’s found too many worms in them. Well, that has definitely put me off raw fish while pregnant! Haha. 

hillbillywife

@lindsayleigh1989 it’s seriously the worst! I think I was complaining/crying to my mom about it and she said that the risk with taking ibuprofen is extra bleeding so of course I get why they don’t want you to take it.  I’m pretty sure I was in my 2nd T and she was like the risk for bleeding is low in the middle of pregnancy so it’s probably ok to take it once to clear up the headache. 

My moms not a doctor but has lots of medical background so I trusted her opinion. Lol

wildtot

I still do hot showers but usually it’s hitting my upper body so i don’t think it’s an issue. The idea is that it cools down as it falls and I’m not sitting in constant hot water for a super long time.
I don’t do sushi or coffee ever so not an issue. I do watch the amount of large fish i eat due to mercury levels. The doc did give me info on that. I pretty much eat shrimp so not a huge issue either.
I hate hot deli meat but still kinda follow it. Instead of deli meat I’ll do hot dogs or weenies in my sandwich since i like those warm. 
I probably less a bit less healthy this time earlier. With DS i watched what i ate because i was on bedrest rest 90% of my pregnancy so had to make up for lack of exercise. It’s be better this time and I’m running around after a toddler.

babybakie

@wildtot idk how I missed the whole hot shower thing. I knew hot tubs were a no no since your kind of sitting there cooking but I have been taking long hot showers everyday without even thinking anything of It! I just looked it up and now feel pretty nervous. I am also a daily user of my heated seats in my car. 

wildtot

@babybakie I’ve been nervous of heating pads at least directly to my pelvic area. I like hot showers because i get bad sciatica but it’s never for too long. 

babybakie

@Wildtot I'm glad I read your post so at least I realize to limit it to upper body like you do. Hopefully I didn't do any damage!! I'm pretty sure I had times when I over did it. 

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@hillbillywife I though Ibuprofen had more to do with fetal heart development as a concern for pregnant women? I know it can cause premature closer of the fetus' ductus arteriosis (heart blood vessel) in the third trimester but I thought it had negative effects in the first as well. I know my OB only rec. it during the second trimester.. 

SmashJam

@babybakie I use the heated seats in my car, a heating pad on the couch on my back and a heated blanket in my bed! I looked it up on the Googles and saw heated blankets and pads are not a problem, so I wouldn't think heated car seats are? 

stillziggysmom

Honestly? Not much, lol. I tend to be a realist and am blessed with an honest and down to earth OB, haha. Moderation and common sense were my guidelines the first time, and I'm sticking by 'em for this time. 

amylu914

@babybakie I use my heated car seats almost every day and used a heating pad on my back daily from 20 weeks on with my first. I don't think either would get hot enough to dramatically change the baby's temperature.

hillbillywife

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert could be. That’s just what my mom said. We’re on the same page with 2nd T tho. Wouldn’t take it any other time and only as a last resort. 

gingerbride26

@hillbillywife oh i completely hear you.  I also get headaches/migraines and tylenol doesn't touch it. I've also read about 2nd trimester being a safe spot for expanded meds, so next OB visit and i'm having a serious discussion about pain management.  I can suck it up during the day, but i'm up every half hour at night because of pain.

@babybakie agree with all PP - heating pads are usually considered safe on the back/but/hips/notbelly.  My dr said it has to do with raising overall body temp versus localized heat.

mikayla14mom

I take a hot bath everyday. My back hurts and it gives me relief! Our bathtub also circulates the heat and stays at a constant temperature, but I don't think it's too hot. Now I am off to google this. I also drink a coke and a chi tea latte everyday and did the same with my last two pregnancies. I have not had any lunch meat, but I would if it sounded good. The cheese selections where we live are lacking, so I have not had any feta or goat cheese, but I would love some if I can find it. Now I really want some goat cheese, so I am off to the commissary to search for some!