Every pregnant woman has worries that nag her constantly. With so much conflicting information available from friends, family, the internet, and your providers it is difficult to know what to think sometimes. The truth is that the most common worries just aren’t as bad as we think.
What if I gain too much weight?
Current medical guidelines suggest an average weight woman should gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. Many women are concerned about gaining too much weight, causing problems for their baby, or having difficulty losing it after the birth. The truth is a little extra weight gain is not a big deal. Pregnancy changes your body and most women will not be exactly the same as pre-pregnancy. Rather than worrying about it, try to retain sensible eating habits and healthy activity levels.
I had a glass of wine – or two – before I knew I was pregnant!
While heavy drinking during pregnancy can have adverse effects on your baby, a glass of wine or a beer early in the pregnancy is highly unlikely to matter. Most women do not realize they are pregnant until 6-8 weeks along, so it is possible you had a drink or two before you realized you were pregnant. Don’t guilt yourself for something you can’t change and that has little impact.
I have to give up coffee and soda too?
Like your evening glass of wine, you probably continued to drink your morning cup of coffee and lunch time diet soda for weeks before you knew of your pregnancy. Never fear, moderate amounts of caffeine are not found to be significantly dangerous to your baby. For the sake of your teeth, however, you might want to drop the soda so you can keep having one cup of coffee a day.
I can’t exercise or I’ll miscarry.
You should check with your doctor about any known risks you have and get the okay from them for your exercise of choice, but in most cases moderate activity is good for you during pregnancy as it helps reduce the fear of excessive weight gain and prepares your body for giving birth. If you want something low-impact, walking is an excellent choice in most circumstances.
What if I’m past my due date?
There is almost never a reason to be concerned if you are still pregnant beyond your due date. Though many doctors are scheduling inductions for convenience – theirs and yours – that is all it is. Unless your doctor determines the baby is in distress, there is nothing wrong with letting your darling come naturally when they are ready.
What if I can’t make enough milk to breastfeed?
Many women do not realize how little milk a newborn actually needs. In the first few days they are drinking colostrum, a secretion that gives them important antibodies. By week 2 or 3 they will be drinking about 12 ounces per day, and by the time they are a month old they may drink up to 30 ounces per day. Breastfed babies typically eat about every 2-3 hours, so in the first few weeks they are drinking only about 1 ounce at a time. As long as you are getting sufficient fluids and eating well, you almost certainly can produce the milk your baby needs. The more they nurse, the more you will make.
Stress is not good for you or your baby during pregnancy. If you find yourself concerned with any of these issues, it is a good idea to talk them over with your doctor. They may suggest that you meet with a nutritionist, lactation consultant or if you have a high risk pregnancy, a maternal-fetal specialist, like Dr. Gilbert Webb, to ensure you have all the tools you need at your disposal to put your mind at ease. Relax and enjoy this life changing experience.
About the Author:
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan
