New Mommy

Helen - posted on 05/12/2010

Relax - it is highly unlikely that anything you eat will harm the baby. Here in the UK they recommend avoiding anything containing raw/partly cooked eggs (risk of salmonella), pate (risk of listeria), unpasteurised soft cheeses e.g. Camembert (risk of listeria), raw/undercooked meat e.g. rare steak (risk of food poisoning), raw shellfish (risk of food poisoning) and also not eat shark, swordfish or marlin (high levels of mercury). For the same reason, intake of tuna should not exceed 2 fresh steaks or 4 small tins per week. BUT all of these are risks when you aren't pregnant - the risk just increases when pregnant. My advice would be to listen to your body and if you don't fancy eating something (i.e. it makes you feel sick or you just don't want it) then don't eat it. The only exceptions to this are caffeine and alcohol which are potentially dangerous to the baby in large quantities so limit consumption of both. It's also important to try and eat healthily so aim for lots of fresh fruit and veg in your diet if you can plus snack on nuts and crackers as these generally seem to be more tolerated than fatty biscuits and sweets if you are nauseous. Ginger (fresh, pickled or preserved) is great for the sickness, as are acupressure bands that are sold for travel sickness.
Can't help with the back pain (maybe just a result of the hormones loosening all your joints and ligaments?) but I saw my osteopath every 3-4 weeks during both pregnancies and was sooooo grateful for her help.
The boob size increase is fairly common - I went from a lifelong 36A to a 36C by 12 weeks. I loved it but I appreciate that it's not everyone's preference, esp. if you have bigger boobs to start with.
Please relax and enjoy your pregnancy. You may only do this once or twice in your life so enjoy the next 9 months and I'm sure you'll do a great job - if you're this protective and concerned for your little one now, then I know you'll all be fine.
Hugs to you all

Terri - posted on 05/12/2010

ok I am a dula and a mom of five . Lets address the back if you get on your hands and knees and arch your back that should help as well as keep baby in the right position. Bannans well it will be a hit and miss. I would say drink red rasberry tea durring the day the more the better helps with morning sickness and birthing the baby.The sweeling you need to keep an eye on to make sure it doesnt go into toximia . ENjoy and relax .

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no raw fish, limit cook amounts of fish and there are certain types you have to totally avoid, it's better to just stick to the most common one's but again limit the intake of fish in general, Mayo and raw eggs, do not eat them at all, caffeine in general is not good to have, I would avoid having any if possible. anytime you go to buy an over the counter medicine check with the pharmacist if it's ok for a pregnant lady to take, and let them know how far along you are because sometimes it's ok to take certain things at certain times in the pregnancy and not at others.

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Lay off the banana's for the first 3 months until "morning sickness" has subsided, then try again it could be you might not be able to eat them during your pregnancy, I had that problem with meat which i love. My lover back hurt a lot too, that is normal, it will subside after the first 3 months but make sure your not standing for long periods and wear good shoes, no heals, swelling can happen but not usually till later on, check with your doctor to make sure your not retaining too much water, my boobs blew up like balloons right away as well, it's all just getting you ready for what is to come. Trust me you will do fine, that fact that you are scared to screw up means you will be great parents. If you didn't care then there would be a problem : )

Gwen - posted on 05/12/2010

Like Claire said, limit fish and processed meats (lunch meat, hot dogs). Caffeine is okay in moderation, and an alcoholic beverage once every blue moon won't hurt anything either :-) Some women panic and eliminate every single tiny thing from their menu. Eat a normal, healthy diet and you'll be fine! Isn't it funny how some foods suddenly sound great and some make you puke?? :-) I CRAVED apples! Ate them every single day.

In my opinion, as a 34B girl, big boobs were the best part of pregnancy! For the first time in my life, I had a respectable pair :-) LOL!

Pregnancy is one of those times when almost all the abnormal things are normal. Crazy, but true.

NO IBUPROFEN!

Best Wishes!

Crystal - posted on 06/02/2010

Ok I was really sick during my pregnancy, I ate anything I could keep down. My Dr told my husband if I wanted Choclate cake for breakfast to give it to me. I trust my Dr. She has been my Dr since I was a little girl. My son is perfect no allergies, never gets sick and is as heathy and smart asthey come. Give your body time, if bannanas make you sick dont eat them, dont even try, it is not worth it. Follow the guide of what not to eat, but eat what you can stomache. The back hurts because the pelvic bone is pushing apart to make room for the baby, sweetie it only get worse. Invest in a heating pad and a body pillow, I had 15 pillows in my bed durring pregnancy. Also I would find a baby massuse. Check with your local hospital. Also exercise and streching will help relieve the pressure of the back. Your feet will swell, this is very normal, stop eating salt and anything with sodium, start eating celery this will help with th ewater retention. A good foot massage before bed will help too. Your breast will grow in the 1st trimester stop growing in the second and part of the third and then will get larger with milk after the baby is born. Hey pregnancy is no picknic but the more you stay positive the easier it will be. You can ask me anything I probly expierenced it. my face book name is Crystal Blattner, my email is crystal-l-blattner@live.com. Seriously anything you need, even if it is just to chat.

Danielle - posted on 06/02/2010

only you will know what is going to work for you and what isn't. you poor thing, it is rather early for all of that. but every woman is different and so is every pregnancy, so my advice is to do what works and to eat what stays down. lol

Hope - posted on 05/17/2010

You will get tons of advice and some will work-some may not-there is a babycenter website that was very helpful to me. And the book-What to expect when you are expecting-you can get at walmart-great reference tool and helpful tips on foods to eat and not to eat! Take care of yourself-rest! You will need it!!!

Phyllis - posted on 05/15/2010

It's just your nerves, you both will be good parents, take one day at a time. Stay away from Salt as much as possible.

Helen - posted on 05/13/2010

Mayonnaise is only a problem if it is made with raw eggs .The stuff we all buy at the supermarket is made with pasteurised eggs and so is fine. Peanuts are only a problem if there is a history of allergies in your family (asthma, hayfever, ezcema or food allergies). If there is a history of allergies, then avoid peanut (and peanut products such as peanut / groundnut oil) during pregnancy and until the baby is 5 years old. If there is no history of allergies, then enjoy the peanuts as you would if you weren't pregnant. Trail mix (and any dreid fruit/nut mixes) are fine as long as you watch the salt content. I had lots of swelling in the last 3 months of my pregnancy and found limiting salt intake helped reduce the swelling (but didn't stop it totally).

Theresa - posted on 05/13/2010

Well some of us love most of the pregnancy, I did right up until the week before then when I could not sit or do anything to get myself comfy then I couldn't wait for the baby to come out.

Jolene - posted on 05/13/2010

Oh, and you WILL mess up. It just goes with the territory. But we are all there with you!

Jolene - posted on 05/13/2010

Sorry, but it's totally normal. I do recommend a good chiropractor. There's no way I would have survived my last pregnancy without one!! Eat what you feel like you can keep down. During one pregnacy eating an apple made me feel sick, but the next one I loved them. Enjoy the boobs. I didn't think I cared about that stuff until mine got bigger. :) You are in survival mode. Music always helps me. I "curl up" inside it. You have my permission to smack the women who tell you how much they love being pregnant. All that said, it is worth it. I am a miserable pregnant, done it 4 times. I would do it 10 more times, and I might actually get to! Congradulations, keep your head up!

Theresa - posted on 05/12/2010

A you may have a slightadvertion to bananas right now during your pregancy. lower back pain... is just the start of your body's adjustment. As well as your breasts are getting ready for the best possible way for you and your baby to bond after child birth.
Here is a few suggestions for you.
1. Journal all your experiences , so that later on you can share with your child when they are older.
2. Try not to do much HEAVY LIFTING (50 lbs or more) during your pregnancy. But then again don't baby yourself or let anyone else baby you.... learn your limits, if it doesn't feel right don't do it. I had 2 babies back to back.... the first one I had tried to carry on like normal. She was born early. The second one was also born early, but I was also put on bed rest for the last 3 months.
3. For morning sickness with both my girls, I found drinking lemon water (no sugar added) help fool my body that I was having something to eat, cause no food would stay down first think in the morning.
4. Stay out of hot tubs and sauna's cause you are heatting your self up and baby will get even hotter inside you.
5. Drink PLENTY of water, don't let yourself get dehydrated, and DO NOT go ooutside without a hat on in the heat, try and stay cool as much as possible, cause heat stroke and being pregnant is even worse.
6. Eat light healthy snacks, make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet. When you take your iron supplements and prenatal vitamins, make sure you either eat tomatoes or drink tomato juice within 30 mins.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, if you are scared of something, or a bit worried, don't be afraid to ask the DR.... they will tell you. In a few weeks (somewhere after your 12th week) you should be feelling little movements, as if you have butterflies in your stomache, that is your baby. Also too you maybe able to hear your baby`s heartbeat for the first time... bring kleenex. At around 20 - 25 weeks you may have to have an ultrasound done to check on baby. This is one thing you would want your husband to be there for, it is such a sight to see your unborn child for the first time. Some places will allow you to purchase copies of your ultrasound pictures (cost anywhere for $25 - $100+) depending on where you get it done.
Good luck and enjoy this. I know I miss being pregnant, the feeling the living being inside me was awsome.
Also for clothing, the maternity clothes are fine, but I found buying men`s sweatpants and over sized shirts more comfortable to be in at home.
For feet swelling, have your feet up as much as you can, and also don`t use salt, salt helps retain the fluids.
Take pictures of the different stages of the pregnancyespecially the side view.
GOOD LUCK, just use your common sense cause my dear friend, parenting does not come with a manual on how to raise your children, it`s done with a lot of trial and errors, and lots of patients.

Heather - posted on 05/12/2010

in regard to your back pain - stand in front of a mirror and look at your posture. Are you standing straight or are you letting your back sway already. My dance instructor pointed out that I was allowing my back to sway and leaning back far before I had to, and that was part of the reason my back hurt early on.

Claire - posted on 05/12/2010

Mayo...haven't heard that one. As far as I know, trail mix is fine. I did hear something about limiting peanuts...of course I heard this AFTER my second bout with a peanut butter craving...darn. The only issue with the crackers, nuts, and trail mixes is that they're generally high in salt. Watch that because it will make you retain more water and those feet of yours will swell up like balloons. Drink more water and walk while it's still comfortable.

Anna - posted on 05/12/2010

I want to say THANK YOU ladies yall are ALL AWESOME!!! and made me feel SOO much better!!!
So Mayo is a bad thing?
I have gotten really good with adding fresh fruit and veg in my diet and been snacking on nuts and crackers, are trail mixes ok?
Thank you and we go for our first ultrasound on May 18th and we can't wait!!! Thank yall!

Janice - posted on 05/12/2010

Everyone has specific foods or smells that will make you sick, sometimes it gets better as your pregnancy progresses. You should try not to eat fish, tuna fish, etc. Drink lots of water and take prenatal vitamins. The back pain comes with it, unfortunately. Try walking daily for exercise, you can take tylenol as directed. Your motherly instincts will kick in, im sure you and your husband will do great. love, cherish, feed and take care of them. Once the baby gets here you wont be able to imagine life without him or her. Good luck =) Water weight and swelling is totally normal, you will probably show pretty early and then it will slow down a little. Bigger boobs come with it, if you decide too breast feed they will get even bigger however breast feeding helps you lose weight quicker and is the best thing you can do for your baby.....Any questions let me know......

Claire - posted on 05/11/2010

Congrats! You'll do fine, just take care of yourself.
Bananas...the smell should stop making you vomit once you're farther along, around 12-14 weeks.
Your back...I'm sorry to say, will probably get worse with the baby weight as it grows. Try a body pillow while you sleep. Hug it and tuck it between your knees to take some stress off your hips and lower back.
Your feet...will continue to swell as long as you are on your feet. Take the time to rest and put them up whenever possible. Also, get a pair of wide clogs or sandals that will accommodate the swelling.
Your boobs...will probably stay their new size until after the baby arrives and your milk comes in -- then they'll get even bigger. Invest in some good sleep/leisure bras without wires. I got mine at JCPenney and they doubled as nursing bras. I loved them!

Back to your question of what you can and can't eat. Mostly, you can eat what you want, just limit your fish to once a month to avoid overexposure to mercury. Tylenol is your only pain reliever (sucks, I know). Caffeine should be fairly strictly limited unless you have headaches, then talk to your OBGYN. No Pepto Bismol, use TUMS instead. Take your vitamins!!! Enjoy yourself and find some well-fitting maternity clothes :)

Jannine - posted on 05/11/2010

omg you poor thing. Firstly so many people are going to give you advice before after and during your pregnancy. You can listen to all but in the end it will just end up being a big confusing mess so only take on board what you think will help. You and you alone will know instinctively what works for you and what doesn't - this is the most crucial advice anyone will give you. Also, no-one ever is the perfect mum as much as we want to be - it just won't happen. So if you do messs up, don't be too hard on yourself, just pick yourself up and start with what works. In regards to the banana thing - mine was coffee - i love it but couldn't bear the smell or anything for the whole pregnancy but it was the first thing i wanted after giving birth. Your back is probably hurting because the baby is laying at the back of your uterus and as for your feet swelling - see if you can get some peppermint foot gel to rub on them ( the body shop is good for this) but other places do sell it or juice celery or get some celery tablets as this reduces fluid retention which is what the swelling would be. Good luck and enjoy both your pregnancy and motherhood. P.s dry crackers are good as soon as you wake up for morning sickness - hopefully you won't get it unlike me who had it all day every day for both my pregnancies and glucoden tablets are also natural and very good to try.