@kboydbowman I know @mokay19 is in the US because she was in my last bmb and I'm aware other countries do things differently.
Also loved "expecting better" even though I still won't risk some things, like alcohol and being pregnant, it did make me question things like I shouldn't eat deli meat because of listeria but listeria is more often reported in lettuce recalls than in deli meat.
@kboydbowman - So much yes. Last time I was pregnant, my husband ate a sub at one of our favorite places, so the next day I went to get one. He argued that I couldn't have it because of the no cold deli meats thing, and I was like "You ate it and you were fine, so clearly their meat isn't contaminated. It doesn't matter if you're pregnant or not. Anyone can get Listeria, it's just harmful to the baby if you get it while pregnant." He could not grasp that.
@kboydbowman I actually strongly disagree with that statement about sushi. There is a risk of bacteria and parasites with raw or undercooked fish that can be harmful to both mom and baby. Everyone has their own appetite for risk during pregnancy, I know plenty of moms that indulge in a glass of wine or refuse to give up soft cheese, but saying sushi is *safe* for pregnancy is not correct. We may have different opinions on the matter but I think it’s important to not present that as a fact in a forum where moms may take advice as fact.
@whitta1015 My boy person is RIDICULOUS with all the "thou shalt nots." He gives me the side eye for my *one* cup of half-caf coffee and will not read the Emily Oster stuff no matter how much I ask. I mostly just tune him out. On the other hand, it permanently keeps me off cat litter duty. lol.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
I know a lot of the ‘thou shalt not’s’ during pregnancy are overblown but I’m a wimp and follow all the rules. After multiple miscarriages and serious complications during my last pregnancy it just makes me feel better to control all the risks that I can. I don’t take issues with moms who play more loosely with the rules though, I feel like it’s really up to the individual when it comes to things like sushi and lunch meat and how much coffee is ok.
@theblondebump That's exactly what I'm talking about though - the actual scientific data do not support a significant risk to the fetus from salmonella or campylobacter (the "risks" associated w/eating raw fish). Sure if you get one, you'll get sick - but so would a non-pregnant woman, and as of yet there is no data that says there is any increased risk to the fetus if you get sick from one of them. And again, if you make "smart" sushi decisions (i.e., going to a reputable restaurant), the risk of either is minimal. I'm not advocating for all pregnant women eating sushi, I'm saying that a lot of the "OMG THIS IS DANGEROUS" mythology (about sushi, deli meats, etc.) is significantly exaggerated and fearmongering. Japanese women (who eat a lot of raw fish, relatively) have been having perfectly healthy babies for thousands of years. What I am advocating for is when we hear one of these "OMG THIS IS DANGEROUS" messages is for us to look for actual data rather than accepting the message at face value.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
With any of the things you’re “not supposed” to eat, of course there’s tons of women who eat them and don’t get sick. That’s like our parents’ generation saying when I was a baby we didn’t have car seats and we turned out fine! Sure, you did, but unfortunately other babies didn’t. And that’s like a lot of these things like sushi and deli meat and other foods - most women do not get sick, but if you do get one of the bacteria or parasites from these foods, there is the possibility of miscarriage, stillbirth and other terrible outcomes. SOME women do unfortunately face those outcomes. Women’s immune systems are definitely different during pregnancy so you may be more likely to get salmonella during pregnancy because of your immune system. Also, the risks are much higher for a pregnant woman. There are definitely risks involved in sushi during childbirth. Every woman can evaluate their own risk, but I don’t think anyone here should be telling others what is “safe” based on their opinions.
@theblondebump I am not advocating for people to make certain decisions one way or the other. But I'm a fan of data. Show me the data to support your assertions. The data I am looking at (the peer-reviewed scientific studies referenced by Oster) does not support an increased risk for pregnant women or an increased risk of miscarriage for properly prepared sushi. For some of the other things (listeria, toxoplasmosis and their associated "don't" foods) there *is* specific evidence showing increased risk.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
I’ve only ever read the complete opposite of what you’re saying and I’ve never met an OB who agreed with what you’re saying. We can agree to disagree, I’m certainly not trying to convince you to change your opinion, if you’re comfortable eating sushi, more power to you mama! I’m just putting the alternative POV out there because you were stating as a fact that sushi is safe for pregnancy, I don’t think most ob’s would agree with that, and I wouldn’t want a FTM to hop on the board, read that, and be like oh okay it’s totally safe to eat sushi while pregnant. I hope no one substitutes advice from strangers on the internet for advice from a doctor, but unfortunately I feel like people definitely do sometimes!
@jhysmath I think with respect to all fruits and vegetables, it’s super important during pregnancy to wash them before eating, to avoid risks of listeria or other bacteria. I personally spray all fruits and vegetables with Fit organic fruit and veggie wash before consuming. I would say that’s probably the difference, similar to like with deli meat - that most ob’s will say it’s ok to consume if it’s cooked/heated to a certain degree because it gets rid of the risk of bacteria. I think adequately washing produce is the equivalent of that.
@theblondebump We're cool. I'm good with agreeing to disagree. I just want to make sure people aren't walking around terrified all the time that if they sneeze funny they'll hurt their baby. There is soooooooo much fearmongering directed at pregnant women and I just want to make sure that people don't take ANY advice at face value without doing their own research and getting additional opinions.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
@kboydbowman good to know on the sushi front! We got sushi on Sunday and I specifically only ate rolls with cooked fish (shrimp and salmon) and then had panic moment when I realized halfway through that there was salmon roe. I don’t even recognize that as “raw” lol so I didn’t think to ask to make without. I figured I didn’t have enough of it to make a difference but that makes me feel better!
I’ve always wondered if women in places like Japan, for example, stop eating sushi or tataki because they got pregnant.
@mk2022x if you haven't read the Emily Oster book, I highly recommend it - she does a very good job of examining the various "don't's" and laying out the empirical data so that you can make an informed decision on what risks you are and are not willing to take.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
@kboydbowman for sure! Also, sorry, just read the third page of discussion. My phone started me on the 2nd page and I didn’t notice 🙃 didn’t mean to reopen a closed topic haha
lol no topic is ever truly closed because not everyone reads/comments every day
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
My OB with my DD told me to make smart decisions regarding deli meat/sushi/soft cheese. If it looks like it's been sitting in that bacteria breading temperature of 5-60C/41-140F then don't eat it because your chance of getting sick is increased. He said my likelihood of getting sick from raw sushi is the same as getting sick from eating sumo salad or a cooked sushi roll, if it's kept in the same conditions. My workaround for sushi is I tell them I'm pregnant & get them to make it fresh in front of me. I buy salami & ham in the pre-packaged packs, not from the deli where it's been sitting about open for who knows how long. I don't eat at any of the shopping mall food court outlets that have food sitting in a bain marie
My OB also said to eat soft cheese that are pasteurised - in Australia that's all cheese made in Australia, so heaps and heaps of options, but not sure about the US and other countries.
@elle-0409 I'm pretty sure you're good to take a got bath. I was told with my first pregnancy that I could take a sauna but just limit it to max 15 mins. I've heard the same thing about hot tubs. @kboydbowman had a good idea about keeping the thermometer close by to keep track of your body temp
@elle-0409 For what it's worth, I took a hot bath when pregnant with my daughter, before I knew it was a no no. I like them hot enough to turn my skin red, and I'm usually in there about 20 minutes, sometimes more. I remember being really hot and not comfortable, so I got out sooner than I normally would.
I personally think you're okay, because my daughter is perfectly healthy. I think our bodies are good at telling us when we're doing something we shouldn't while pregnant, such as overreacting to heat. Please give yourself grace on this. 💛
Before getting pregnant I was always hovering between 147 and 149 lbs. I was actively working out, eating well, but could never get under 147. Well, now I'm about 7 weeks pregnant and I've been weighing in between 145-146 lbs consistently. I have been eating almost exactly as I was before finding out I was pregnant and working out the same amount. Has anyone else experienced this?
@knottie98636ae496080273 Everyone is different, but for most people you don't actually gain much weight in the 1st trimester - it's usually only about 5 pounds total by the end of 13 weeks. Most of the weight gain comes in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. At only 7 weeks I wouldn't worry about this just yet - a lot of women actually lose a little weight in the first 2 months or so due to nausea and food aversions. I'm actually down 2-3 pounds right now myself. So try not to stress! Believe me, the weight will come.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
Last pregnancy, I only gained 12 lbs total. This pregnancy, I am down a couple of pounds which is not surprising because everything sounds terrible and I basically have to force myself to eat SOMETHING every few hours to avoid more intense nausea. 2nd trimester cannot come fast enough!!
Hi everyone! I’m feeling a little anxious about the things I did before I knew I was pregnant. Mostly the fact that I used a boric acid suppository prior to finding out I was pregnant at 4 weeks. Google is not my friend. I only used it once or twice in weeks 2 or 3 but I’m freaked out that I caused damage. I’m now week 6 and haven’t had any weird symptoms but I’m super paranoid. Is it true that the things you do in the early weeks probably won’t cause much harm since the baby hasn’t implanted yet?
Same here on the boric acid suppositories - not really too much to worry about there because it's affecting the vagina rather than the uterus. At worst it could have killed off sperm and thus prevented due to changing your vaginal pH. But clearly at least one sperm got through. I wouldn't stress it, just don't use them from this point out - monistat only.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
Hello ladies! I have a question for any of you that own dogs. I have a 5 year old chocolate lab mix, who is absolutely freaking out now that I am pregnant. I rescued her from a very bad situation when she was about a year and a half, and has always been very clingy and attuned to even slight shifts in my emotions/health. I’m 8 weeks pregnant now and she is clearly aware that something has changed. She wont even let me go to the bathroom by myself these days, gets upset when I leave the house to check the mailbox, and she has started doing some destructive things when I leave the house (she has NEVER touched anything that wasn’t ‘hers’ in the entire time I’ve had her). She also actually growled when a friend came over and tried to hug me!
I have an appointment with the vet next week to discuss what we can do to help her feel better but I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and if they found a way to help their furry friend feel better? TIA
@blanket_girl I have 2 dogs and have never experienced that with either pregnancies. My only thoughts on that are that humans are more important than dogs. So if there are alarming behaviors already happening, I would take it seriously.. which it sounds like you’re doing by talking to the vet! Good luck!
@blanket_girl we have a skittish rescue dog who is part of the family and one of my biggest fears when I was pregnant with my son was how our dog would react. We didn't have the same attachment behaviors you described, and I was more afraid of the dog being miserable with the new addition plus all of the new stuff (the dog has lots of weird phobias with wheels, certain noises, etc.). She had gone through puppy training but we did additional training in the months leading up to the baby's arrival. We also made sure to slowly set up new baby stuff so she could get used to the new house setup. She knows and loves my parents, so we had my parents watch our dog for like the first two weeks after the baby was born (mostly so we could get adjusted) and I was really surprised at how well our dog was around the newborn when she came back home. She really just treated the baby like he was a new part of the pack, and didn't even freak out at the stroller even though she normally hates anything on wheels. It was pretty amazing. With that being said, rescue dogs can have complicated histories and it's great you're taking the dog to the vet. I thought my dog could use medication at one point (i've heard positive stories about Prozac for dogs) but our vet didn't think it was best in our case, but it could be a possibility? Along with asking the vet for advice, finding a good trainer that focuses on positive reinforcement could be a great option.
@blanket_girl First of all, I want to commend you for taking action so early. That is going to be crucial to success!
My pup (who died of cancer last June) was also rescued from a horrible situation. He was a woman's dog and she was abused by her husband. The husband also abused the pup, and he nipped the husband one day, so they surrendered him. He was a woman's dog through and through, and it took my husband several years to earn a good level of trust with him.
We worked with a behaviorist with him for several years. We agreed to take him in and handle any difficulties he may have, so we had to manage his issues before baby arrived. The behaviorist taught us many methods, and one of the critical ones was keeping a barrier between the baby and the dog (for us this looked like a gate around the living room that kept him out so we could have her with us without fear of him doing anything).
In the year and a half of her being here and him being alive, not once did he snap at her. It was a two-way street of her learning to respect animals and him learning to be around children. It was constant management, and I won't pretend it was easy or not stressful. But once she came into awareness of self around a year old, they were able to be in the same room with zero issues (but always supervising and managing any bad behavior by either one).
We managed him with training and medication for anxiety, and lots of love and attention (this was key, because you can't just ignore him once the baby arrives or you'll make things significantly worse). Please believe me when I say it's totally worth it, but be prepared to work really hard to get to a good spot.
Both kids and pets are difficult in different ways, but if you love your pet and want to keep him in your life, you'll need to work on this. Good luck! Any questions, please feel free to reach out. 💛
Hmm, dogs are sensitive. It seems your pup has gotten more protective of you since becoming pregnant. Animals should always be supervised with kids, but I’d be less worried about the dog hurting the baby and more worried about the dog guarding the baby based on what you’re describing.
Are you or your partner giving cues that you’re worried or being more careful? The dog could be picking up on that or it could be a scent thing. I’d work on being confident in my actions around the dog and maintaining the rules/boundaries you’ve previously had. You may need to go backwards in training and use a crate again (if you stopped/ever did).
All that being said, I’m a huge believer in medications for dogs for anxiety. My own is on trazadone and it’s the difference between a wonderful family member and a batsh*t crazy destructive whirlwind.
@kboydbowman the problem is very few people have an interest in reading peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and wading through methodology, data, and analysis. i really appreciate some data-based insights. I don’t think many people understand that there is a huge disconnect between medical research and medical practice. Just because data has shown something to be true, does not mean that it finds its way into mainstream medical practice — and if it does — it often takes many years or decades.
I mean for crying out loud, evidence-based medicine just became popular with physicians in the last 30 years or so.
I saw there was a lot of discussion about vitamins on this thread. Has anyone done any research about vitamin quality/brands? It’s a little overwhelming standing on the vitamin aisle and looking at all these options and I don’t really have the capacity currently to dive into the subject on my own right now.
@laj0217 You hit the nail on the head, I’m less concerned with her being aggressive toward the baby and more worried about the guarding behavior toward me and probably eventually the baby. I firmly believe her issue is about my scent and behavior changing and her not being sure why… She has always responded with significant anxiety when she notices changes in me or my health. I love that we have such a close bond but I’ve also been working on trying to encourage her to be independent for this reason, with limited success. She adores kids and I really am not concerned about the potential of her being aggressive with a baby. That being said, animals are still animals and I would always supervise her with a child, no matter what.
I think she’s picked up on my scent changes in addition to subtle and not so subtle changes in my behavior. She started sniffing around my crotch area a few days after I got my positive and has never done that before with me or anyone else. We definitely will be going back to crating when we leave her alone- for her safety as much as for anything else.
She had never been on a leash before I took her in, and also didn’t have any toys and was clearly hit with things like brooms and newspapers given her anxiety around them. For all that she’s been through, she is SUCH a sweet gentle girl. I believe she has mounting anxiety about things changing and being left behind, which breaks my heart 🥺 I’m going to see what the vet says but I’m thinking an anxiety med will be helpful for her to get through the transition. Fingers crossed that they have some advice because this isn’t a good situation for her or for us!
@trapperkeeper87 this is all very good advice, thank you so much!!
@scimomma the behaviorist is also a very good idea! I’ve never used one before but that might help! My dog also loves going over the grandparents’ house haha, so that might be a good way to ease the transition.
@blanket_girl does dog sleep with you? That can make them extra territorial. That said, I walk my two dogs with my LO and if anyone ever gets too close while walking stroller they are up in alarm!
Re: The Great Big Queston Thread!
Also loved "expecting better" even though I still won't risk some things, like alcohol and being pregnant, it did make me question things like I shouldn't eat deli meat because of listeria but listeria is more often reported in lettuce recalls than in deli meat.
My boy person is RIDICULOUS with all the "thou shalt nots." He gives me the side eye for my *one* cup of half-caf coffee and will not read the Emily Oster stuff no matter how much I ask. I mostly just tune him out. On the other hand, it permanently keeps me off cat litter duty. lol.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
That's exactly what I'm talking about though - the actual scientific data do not support a significant risk to the fetus from salmonella or campylobacter (the "risks" associated w/eating raw fish). Sure if you get one, you'll get sick - but so would a non-pregnant woman, and as of yet there is no data that says there is any increased risk to the fetus if you get sick from one of them. And again, if you make "smart" sushi decisions (i.e., going to a reputable restaurant), the risk of either is minimal. I'm not advocating for all pregnant women eating sushi, I'm saying that a lot of the "OMG THIS IS DANGEROUS" mythology (about sushi, deli meats, etc.) is significantly exaggerated and fearmongering. Japanese women (who eat a lot of raw fish, relatively) have been having perfectly healthy babies for thousands of years. What I am advocating for is when we hear one of these "OMG THIS IS DANGEROUS" messages is for us to look for actual data rather than accepting the message at face value.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I totally ended up avoiding salads during my previous pregnancy because we just kept having back to back lettuce recalls so nothing felt safe.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I’ve always wondered if women in places like Japan, for example, stop eating sushi or tataki because they got pregnant.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
My OB also said to eat soft cheese that are pasteurised - in Australia that's all cheese made in Australia, so heaps and heaps of options, but not sure about the US and other countries.
I personally think you're okay, because my daughter is perfectly healthy. I think our bodies are good at telling us when we're doing something we shouldn't while pregnant, such as overreacting to heat. Please give yourself grace on this. 💛
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
You hit the nail on the head, I’m less concerned with her being aggressive toward the baby and more worried about the guarding behavior toward me and probably eventually the baby. I firmly believe her issue is about my scent and behavior changing and her not being sure why… She has always responded with significant anxiety when she notices changes in me or my health. I love that we have such a close bond but I’ve also been working on trying to encourage her to be independent for this reason, with limited success. She adores kids and I really am not concerned about the potential of her being aggressive with a baby. That being said, animals are still animals and I would always supervise her with a child, no matter what.
I’m going to see what the vet says but I’m thinking an anxiety med will be helpful for her to get through the transition. Fingers crossed that they have some advice because this isn’t a good situation for her or for us!