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basic do/don't questions in pregnancy
I'm determined not to google stuff anymore bc it gets too overwhelming and confusing, so I'm just asking here: I haven't been given any info on what is safe and not and so I have a couple questions.
Is it okay to drink diet anything? I was drinking about 10 diet cokes a day and so I stopped that and thought I was doing good because I bought juice and gatorade, except today I realized I bought diet juices and low cal gatorade and thought about the artificial sweeteners in them (splenda in juice and sucrose in gatorade) and wondered if they are okay in moderation. (like maybe 2 drinks a day)
Also, I have very oily skin and have always used a scrub with salacylic acid and then read that it wasn't safe; is that true? And if so, what do people with oily skin use?
does anybody know about bacon? Is it okay if eaten once or twice a week?
Can I use a fleets enema if I'm really really constipated?
I know these are things I can ask my doctor, but my first ob appt. isn't until the 31st. First time i was pregnant (I mc that one at about 8 weeks) he never did tell me what I could or couldn't eat/drink/use. And, I really don't want to go super overboard and get all obssessed about this, but it'd sure be nice to know some basics. So, if anyone cares to share what they've learned or been advised by their doctor, I'd certainly appreciate the info. thanks
Is it okay to drink diet anything? I was drinking about 10 diet cokes a day and so I stopped that and thought I was doing good because I bought juice and gatorade, except today I realized I bought diet juices and low cal gatorade and thought about the artificial sweeteners in them (splenda in juice and sucrose in gatorade) and wondered if they are okay in moderation. (like maybe 2 drinks a day)
Also, I have very oily skin and have always used a scrub with salacylic acid and then read that it wasn't safe; is that true? And if so, what do people with oily skin use?
does anybody know about bacon? Is it okay if eaten once or twice a week?
Can I use a fleets enema if I'm really really constipated?
I know these are things I can ask my doctor, but my first ob appt. isn't until the 31st. First time i was pregnant (I mc that one at about 8 weeks) he never did tell me what I could or couldn't eat/drink/use. And, I really don't want to go super overboard and get all obssessed about this, but it'd sure be nice to know some basics. So, if anyone cares to share what they've learned or been advised by their doctor, I'd certainly appreciate the info. thanks
Double check to label on your Strawberry Quic. We got some chocolate Quic a while back and it had artificial sweetener in it :)
Since I developed gestational diabetes, artificial sweeteneers and their safety in pregnancy became a very real concern for me. I have been assured by both my OB and my diabetes educator (who is both a Registered Dietician and a Certified Diabetes Educator) that artificial sweeteners are safe in pregnancy.
That said, I get migraines from aspartame (which is what is in most food "diet" food products and in chewing gum) so I don't use it. I am also of an age to recall when there was a big deal made over saccharine causing cancer in lab rats....so my sweetener of choice is currently Splenda (sucralose). I have tried stevia (brand name Truvia) but do not like the taste.
Since I developed gestational diabetes, artificial sweeteneers and their safety in pregnancy became a very real concern for me. I have been assured by both my OB and my diabetes educator (who is both a Registered Dietician and a Certified Diabetes Educator) that artificial sweeteners are safe in pregnancy.
That said, I get migraines from aspartame (which is what is in most food "diet" food products and in chewing gum) so I don't use it. I am also of an age to recall when there was a big deal made over saccharine causing cancer in lab rats....so my sweetener of choice is currently Splenda (sucralose). I have tried stevia (brand name Truvia) but do not like the taste.
I started having cravings for stuff I normally wouldn't right around the 5th week and then would totally overdose on that particular food. For me, I was stuck on bean burritos from Taco Bell for about two weeks even though the last time I probably ate one was in 1998....I just could not get it out my mind so I finally gave in. I also went on a total Chipotle and Baked Lays bender for a while. However, I don't even want that stuff anymore....funny how this all messes with your head. No wonder I've already gained 10 pounds in 14 weeks....
I just went to the store and I bought some juice and some caffeine free regular cokes. I got some strawberry quick to make strawberry milk (which I love)...I think my biggest problem to get around with this is that I'm not used to drinking calories.
Yep, water gets totally boring. Oh, and I finally got some tums...yeay!! Hope they work.
When do you guys think cravings start? I'm just asking because I'm dying for a chili dog with lots of mustard. (and I don't usually eat hot dogs and never eat them with chili) so it's just weird. I wouldn't think a craving would start this early. Maybe it's just bc I know hot dogs are mostly off limits?? just wondering
Yep, water gets totally boring. Oh, and I finally got some tums...yeay!! Hope they work.
When do you guys think cravings start? I'm just asking because I'm dying for a chili dog with lots of mustard. (and I don't usually eat hot dogs and never eat them with chili) so it's just weird. I wouldn't think a craving would start this early. Maybe it's just bc I know hot dogs are mostly off limits?? just wondering
I drank water, juice, and iced tea decaf. with real sugar but that was only a few times a week as my treat.(I don't eat sweets so that was my" sweet") occasionally I would drink a sprite. Water does get boring!
I drank lots of water as hydration is very important. Lots of fruit juices, milk (which I don't like, but I made myself) and I definately allowed myself a coke every day. I am truly addicted to that stuff! Don't completely deprive yourself. If in doubt about something, talk to your Dr. But for the most part, just remember everything in moderation. I am fairly confident the odd diet coke isn't going to harm anything.
I definitely agree that googling will drive you insane....that's why I stopped and am trying really really hard to not do it. I'm wondering what people drink. I'm trying to drink water but I've always hated it. I'm forcing myself though. I really really miss my diet coke. It was caffeine free, but I'm scared of the artificial sweetner. I'm going to get some caffeine free regular coke today and try that.
I was told specifically no retinal by my re and no lunch meats unless heated, farm raised seafood 2 times a week no fresh caught and bacon/hot dogs in moderation, no sushi, no feta or blue cheese. Google will drive u insane!!!!
The lists are huge aren't they. And so much scary info. But I will tell you, things are usually fine. I found out after the fact that I had eaten all sorts of things on the "don't touch" list. Things turned out fine. It seems so many things have small chances of causing trouble, but rarely do.
I was pregnant right smack in the middle of the H1N1 scare. Remember all those pregnant women getting so sick from it? So I had both the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. Personally, I think it's a good idea as I can't imagine anything worse then getting the flu while pregnant, but of course it's a personal choice. Neither shot caused any problems at all. They were taken on the strong advice of my OB. Good luck in your decision!
I was pregnant right smack in the middle of the H1N1 scare. Remember all those pregnant women getting so sick from it? So I had both the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. Personally, I think it's a good idea as I can't imagine anything worse then getting the flu while pregnant, but of course it's a personal choice. Neither shot caused any problems at all. They were taken on the strong advice of my OB. Good luck in your decision!
I know how you feel. I've discovered that being pregnant is mainly just a giant list of things you can't do. Just to add to this, I had all the same questions you had and more. Since we did IVF, I think I was ultra-paranoid in the beginning especially since we went through so much to even get to this point. My doctor said highlighting my hair was fine so I have been. Since there have not been definitive studies on sucralose (Splenda), I stay away from it as much as possible. My doctor recommended the same. I too was a total diet soda junkie (I miss my caffeinated diet Pepsi much more than wine). I finally broke down and bought a liter of diet soda without caffeine or sucralose and will just drink a small glass about every other day to get my fix. I feel guilty, but at least it's not crack....
As far as constipation goes, Metamucil works great...that helped me a lot when I was on the IVF meds in particular and was instructed to eat a very high protein diet.
Regarding bacon, I'm thinking the concern would be because of the nitrites??? Maybe it's the same logic as why all the scary websites tell you to stay away from deli meats.
My big dilema is now whether to get a flu shot or not....I've never had one before and have not had the flu in years and years. My hospital only uses preservative-free flu shots, but I'm still hesitant....
As far as constipation goes, Metamucil works great...that helped me a lot when I was on the IVF meds in particular and was instructed to eat a very high protein diet.
Regarding bacon, I'm thinking the concern would be because of the nitrites??? Maybe it's the same logic as why all the scary websites tell you to stay away from deli meats.
My big dilema is now whether to get a flu shot or not....I've never had one before and have not had the flu in years and years. My hospital only uses preservative-free flu shots, but I'm still hesitant....
adgal, you make me laugh...being fed by intravenous drip....LOL That's why I decided to stop googling. I was driving myself nuts.
I am glad you both said okay to bacon. I read a lot of places that said no because of the nitrates and then other places that said it was okay (before I stopped googling everying :) ) That's why I was confused.
I was thinking moderation too, so that's what I'm going to do. And yep, I know a lot of this is probably just common sense, but I think mine left me when I found out I was pregnant again. It's like I think that if I do everything exactly right then this one will turn out okay, and i know that's not true because as far as I know I did everything right the other two times and it turned out not okay.
The book is something I will look into but not just yet. This is going to sound dumb I'm sure, but I'm afraid if I get outwardly excited or do any planning then I'll jinx myself for sure. So maybe after my ob appointment, if it goes well, then I'll look into getting the book.
Oh, and the salicylic acid I read about online, of course. I stopped using my retinol for wrinkles and my face scrub. The retinol insert said do not use if pregnant so of course I won't, and I'll hold off on the face scrub until I talk with my doctor just to be safe.
thanks you guys
I am glad you both said okay to bacon. I read a lot of places that said no because of the nitrates and then other places that said it was okay (before I stopped googling everying :) ) That's why I was confused.
I was thinking moderation too, so that's what I'm going to do. And yep, I know a lot of this is probably just common sense, but I think mine left me when I found out I was pregnant again. It's like I think that if I do everything exactly right then this one will turn out okay, and i know that's not true because as far as I know I did everything right the other two times and it turned out not okay.
The book is something I will look into but not just yet. This is going to sound dumb I'm sure, but I'm afraid if I get outwardly excited or do any planning then I'll jinx myself for sure. So maybe after my ob appointment, if it goes well, then I'll look into getting the book.
Oh, and the salicylic acid I read about online, of course. I stopped using my retinol for wrinkles and my face scrub. The retinol insert said do not use if pregnant so of course I won't, and I'll hold off on the face scrub until I talk with my doctor just to be safe.
thanks you guys
I always tried to follow a "keep it as natural as possible" rule. So for me, artificial sweeteners were out. I would however get my daily coke classic fix (not the best, but heck, I can't give up everything!). Not sure about the salycic acid...does it say anything about use during pregnancy on the packaging? Bacons fine...at least I hope it is. I love the stuff and also ate it at least once a week. I might hold off on the enema until talking to your Dr. Try increasing water intake for constipation, and I found dried apricots worked like a charm.
I always think everything in moderation. So obviously you want to stay away from the glaring no's such as alcohol, tobacco, etc. and things like raw meats, fish (ohhh, how I missed sushi. I did give in and have it once). Avoid anything not pasturized as well (ie soft imported cheeses...btw, the rule about avoiding soft cheeses isn't necessarily true. Just check to see if it's pasturized). But for the most part, you can have what you want. I ate chocolate and drank coffee. Had junk food at times. I wasn't too hard on myself. I just kept it all to a minimum. So instead of my usual 2 or 3 cups of coffee in the am, I had 1. Some say not to color your hair. I did, and with my Dr.s approval (I didn't need to LOOK like a 40 year old mom to be..lol). I avoided things like strong chemicals (ie: strong household cleansers). Honestly, most of it is common sense and will just come to you as you go. Read packages. And good for you for not googling. I told you before how much I did of that. I discovered that pretty much everything had to be avoided for one reason or another. If I had listened to everything on line, I would have found myself being fed strictly through intravenous drip, in bed, feet up my entire pregnancy..lol. Your OB will provide you with a booklet as well that will help a great deal.
A book that I found an easy read and gave simple good advice was "What to Expect when your Expecting".
I always think everything in moderation. So obviously you want to stay away from the glaring no's such as alcohol, tobacco, etc. and things like raw meats, fish (ohhh, how I missed sushi. I did give in and have it once). Avoid anything not pasturized as well (ie soft imported cheeses...btw, the rule about avoiding soft cheeses isn't necessarily true. Just check to see if it's pasturized). But for the most part, you can have what you want. I ate chocolate and drank coffee. Had junk food at times. I wasn't too hard on myself. I just kept it all to a minimum. So instead of my usual 2 or 3 cups of coffee in the am, I had 1. Some say not to color your hair. I did, and with my Dr.s approval (I didn't need to LOOK like a 40 year old mom to be..lol). I avoided things like strong chemicals (ie: strong household cleansers). Honestly, most of it is common sense and will just come to you as you go. Read packages. And good for you for not googling. I told you before how much I did of that. I discovered that pretty much everything had to be avoided for one reason or another. If I had listened to everything on line, I would have found myself being fed strictly through intravenous drip, in bed, feet up my entire pregnancy..lol. Your OB will provide you with a booklet as well that will help a great deal.
A book that I found an easy read and gave simple good advice was "What to Expect when your Expecting".
Good questions. In my initial prenatal package, there was a letter that said to avoid artificial sweeteners, but since I don't drink diet drinks myself, I've never really thought too much about it. As for constipation, my doctor told me I could take colace in my last pregnancy. I didn't take it every day, though, only when needed. I have no idea about the salicylic acid, but as far as I know, bacon is fine to eat...as long as it is cooked properly.
:-)
:-)
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