Prenatal Lists

Caitlin Josephine Perkins Bahr and I were talking about some things I was surprised to learn after I found out I was pregnant. She asked what else I knew that no one had told me - these are the things I wished I had known.


Body temperature:
No hot tubs, hot baths, saunas, or anything that elevates your body temperature for an extended period of time. Especially during the first trimester. Elevating your body temperature can harm the fetus during early development. This is hard for me because I get lower back pain during my period and frequently during pregnancy and I love warm baths. I use an electric heating pad instead and put my feet up.

Heart Rate:
They (doctors, books, etc.) tell you to exercise, but not more than you're used to. Don't over exert yourself or elevate your heart rate too much. With an abnormally high heart rate like mine, I'm supposed to exercise, but take it easy.

Foods that are unsafe:
-lunch meat, unless served piping hot (so many sandwiches with cold meat...oops)
-raw meat (4th of July burger served medium...oops)
-bean sprouts (Pad Thai...oops)
-too much caffeine, though you are allowed to consume some, because it is believed to have a connection with miscarriage and probably elevates your heart rate (I've never wanted Diet Coke so badly, but I haven't had it in months)
-only a few types of fish are unsafe, but no raw fish (they encourage you to eat wild salmon several times a week)
-smoked sea food
-shellfish
-raw eggs
-unpasteurized dairy and juice
-pate
-foods rich in nitrates (hot dogs, bacon, sausage, etc.)
-any leftovers, or anything with mayo that has been sitting out of the fridge

Some other things I wish I had known:
-take a prenatal vitamin before/as soon as you are trying to conceive
-laying on your left side is best for sleeping because laying on your back or right can cut off some blood flow to the baby, but this is typically only an issue after the fourth month
-the 40 weeks of pregnancy actually starts counting from the first day of your last period 2 weeks before you actually conceive!!! (I felt like someone stole those weeks from me)
-the best time to take a pregnancy test is at about 4 weeks
-statistics on miscarriage would have helped me calm down a lot
-vaginal infections and urinary tract infections can increase miscarriage
-morning sickness is generally associated with a viable pregnancy
-1 in 5 women bleeds/spots during the first trimester (I bled on and off and it stressed me out to no end. Also, ruined my underoos.)
-acetaminophen is fine in small doses for pain, but no ibuprofen, aspirin, or most other OTC drugs