Hellobee Boards

I read (and loved) the incredibly rational, fact/research-based approach of the book Expecting Better. It doesn't tell you what to do, but examines the conventional wisdom/traditional "rules" around all sorts of pregnancy-related topics, and shares the research/reasoning behind them, and empowers you to make your own risk/reward decisions.

For the thinking person who doesn't enjoy overly simplified and paternalistic proscriptions, this book was PERFECT. Highly recommended.

Honestly the only thing I avoided was drugs and alcohol. Actually, I had a few beers pregnant! I think a lot of those rules are ridiculous. I don't eat a lot of mercury-laden fish or cold cuts anyway. I had runny eggs, soft serve ice cream, salad bars, a few hot dogs, tons of coffee, and bean sprouts. And unpasteurized cheese. My son was 100% fine!

I'm another who enjoyed Expecting Better. It really helped to make sense of the rules.

There are certain things they tell you to avoid that I don't like much anyway (alcohol and swordfish come to mind), so it's easy to cut those out completely. Everything else in moderation, using common sense. I won't eat an undercooked burger from a source that seems questionable but I would definitely eat sushi from a reputable restaurant. That kind of thing.

I don't subscribe to "better safe than sorry" when so many food restrictions are in the U.S. Only, and when all the recent listeria outbreaks are from food not on the "do not eat" list. I believe in sensible choices and everything in moderation. I abstained from drugs and cigarettes - which I do anyway. I am a big believer in feeling in control and empowered during pregnancy; which for me meant no fear mongering, but for others may mean something completely different. That's ok!

Nobody's

My first OB/GYN was the high-risk specialist at the practice I went to in our former city. She was pretty relaxed about things and I trust her completely, so I did what she told me last time and this time. Her recommendations sound pretty similar to your doctor @nana87! She is German, so she actually encouraged me to drink a little wine or even a beer at night to help me "relax" hahaha. I loved her.

Haha, nobody's? I laughed at the nurse when she told me steak had to be well done. I was like, "yeah, no." I also eat deli meat ALL the time without heating it. But I'm diabetic, so I have to get in protein where I can. I've never in my life heard of people getting sick from these things. Bagged spinach and cantaloupe seem to be way more dangerous.

I don't smoke because I don't smoke, and I was never much of an alcohol drinker. The only thing I'm leery of is unpasteurized cheese, because my SIL got very very sick from some. But it's not like that's an every day issue to deal with. I eat lox, soft serve, medium steaks, deli meat, etc. I'd probably eat sushi from a reputable place, but it's kind of turning me off now.