Great great article! Thanks.

Good article. :-) :-) :-) I definitely get tired of defending my choices. I drank more moderately w my almost 2 yo than I have or do this time. But I still have a drink occasionally & don't feel guilty about it.

I'm joining this discussion late, but I think it's a great article. The thing about being pregnant is making informed choices. If you feel empowered and not afraid in the decisions you're making then hey - make them work for you and your situation.

When it comes to listeria-risk foods, I don't follow any of those 'rules' because I think the risk of listeria in our food supply is so much of a bigger issue than if I eat a listeria-risk food when pregnant. As in, if it isn't safe when pregnant, is it ever really 'safe' and we should be demanding a better food supply instead.

One of the most interesting things in the book so far: Doctors go on and on about not changing the cat litter when you're pregnant right? (and really, I don't mind handing this chore over to hubby, although getting the cat was my idea). What she says in the book is that you will only get toxoplasmosis IF you've never been exposed to it before (many people have with no symptoms so there's no way of knowing) AND IF your cat has never been exposed to to it before (which explains why doctors do also discourage getting a new kitten while pregnant) AND IF your cat has been eating raw meat and/or hunting. ALL THREE conditions need to be met or you won't get it.

Wow!! So good to know!! My sister has been doing it for me but after school starts back up she won't be around as often. My hubby would do it but I can already smell resentment before asking him! Lol

The interesting thing to me is that most people spend a lot more time and energy worrying about -- and avoiding -- very small risks, while never thinking twice about much larger risks.

For example, people say, "If there's even the slightest risk to my baby from drinking alcohol, I won't do it. Any tiny risk is too much." But then they get behind the wheel of their car and drive, and put their babies and small children in the backseat, even though auto collisions are the number one cause of accidental death in children. Personally, I get a little nervous every time I get behind the wheel because I know that even a minor accident could cost my baby her life, if the airbag goes off. (And I sit as far back from the steering wheel as I safely can, specifically to minimize that risk.) I know that the possibility of death or serious injury in a car accident is MUCH more likely than the risk that a glass of wine or a slice of cheese will hurt my baby.

BUT, it's necessary to look at both the risks AND the benefits of a given activity. I'm still going to drive because a) even though there is a risk, it's still probable that my baby and I will be fine; and b) the benefit to my every day life is pretty significant. I walk places as much as I can, but I live in the suburbs (very spread out and no public transportation), so driving is still the best way to get around.

I don't drink because, even though the risk is small, I don't see any benefit. I have a high tolerance, so one glass of wine isn't even going to help me relax, and I don't really care for the taste. HOWEVER, I suffer from pretty severe anxiety, which gets worse when I'm pregnant, so if a single glass of wine DID help me relax I would absolutely have some. The benefit to myself, my children, my husband, and even my unborn baby (stress is bad for babies, too!) would definitely outweigh the tiny amount of risk involved.

Well said Michelle.


I love this article personally because it really sums up my thoughts on things. We get treated as if we're children sometimes when we're pregnant. Do X, don't do Y! Not why, or here are the risks and the statistics...just nope, THIS IS THE RULE.

Personally? I eat sushi. I eat from a place I trust, because food poisoning is bad whether you're pregnant or not. If you're eating at a place you can get food poisoning from, please re-evaluate your food choices.

I don't like drinking, it doesn't relax me or make me feel good. So while I think the small amount I would drink is probably safe, since I derive no benefit the risks, minimal though they are, aren't worth it to me.

I eat sandwich meat. Again, pick safely. I don't eat from places where it sits out.

I eat fresh fruits and veggies and wash them well.

I run while pregnant. (Also considered a risk by some doctors and well meaning bystanders!)