Pregnancy oops...

[Maggie272]

I just wanted to start a thread we could all join in appreciation of how imperfect we are. I've been having a pretty brutal time since starting IVF, and becoming pregnant, and felt like I should have been doing everything perfectly ie diet, cleanliness etc. I started off doing what my mum and my doc said, continue life as normal. I'm veggie and dairy free so alot of food worries didn't apply.

Where I did feck up:
Didn't wash prewashed salad
Sleep with my dog
Forgot to wash fruit-grapes, bought them had had to have them straight away!

Saw my GP today cos my anxiety around doing everything perfectly got out of hand. She said none of the above are going to do me any harm

Anyone else want to add to the list?
Hope so!
Love
Maggie

@JaffaCakeGal I’ve bleached my hair and applied lots of bright red hair dye.

Quite a lot of this stuff I didnt know wasnt allowed! Opps

I'll remember to wash the salad tonight, maybe......

I didn't know pre-packed sandwiches were not recommended?! Argh.

One week the only thing I could stomach was tuna sandwiches. I was gutted when my mate told me you're only meant to eat 3 tins of tuna a week.

I very rarely wash veg in real life, haven't changed that since becoming pregnant. If it looks especially mucky I give it a rinse, but otherwise nah.

I haphazardly forget to take my vitamins as I normally take them in the evenings and sometimes I fall asleep instead.

Exercise is limited to my walk to-from the bus! I'm starting to get some PGP symptoms now (I'm currently 15+2) too so a bit worried that just as my energy is starting to return I'm going to be in pain.

I have however given up on changing the cat litter, that's strictly my OH's job now. It's the one aspect of pregnancy I am enjoying ha ha

I think the general theme is we're all trying our best but we're only human - sometimes we might slip up a bit from what is recommended. As long as you do the best you can there's not much more you can do. Try not to be so hard on yourselves ladies x

@thethirdbar I hope this hasn't caused you anxiety! Not my intention at all, I suppose it's just helped me to see that pregnancy doesn't mean squeaky clean, just doing your best. I just saw my ob-gyn and she said not to worry, just don't drink smoke or get too stressed. Mx

Pre packed sandwiches are absolutely fine to eat.

This thread is going to make some people worry unnecessarily with the dubious 'oopsies' Pre packed sandwiches are fine to eat amongst many of the other things mentioned.....
If you are worried please read the NHS guidelines and remember that they are guidelines and that you are an adult who can make your own informed decisions.

WRT hot baths, research suggests they're safe as they don't raise your core body temperature.

www.google.com/amp/s/uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN1H43BX

Hmm wishing I hadn’t read this thread. Makes me feel worse rather than better. I’m not sure everyone would find it helpful.

This thread is going to make some people worry unnecessarily with the dubious 'oopsies'
Strongly agree! I recommend the book Expecting Better, really helped me shrug off silly myths about things you don't need to avoid. If anyone is reading this thread thinking "oh no I thought I was anxious but now I feel like I'm not anxious enough about sandwiches/salad/dogs etc..." please close this tab! This thread is harmful for you!

Eating a sandwich or a salad is not an oopsie. Spreading unfounded panic in pregnant women is an oopsie.

I just thought this thread would be about dispelling the idea of perfect pregnant women tbh.

You don't have to wash a bloody apple xD
Just don't smoke or drink or bungee jump yanno common sense stuff

I always wash my apples, pregnant or no. They spray all sorts on them to ripen them in transit. And unwashed salad should be washed too, regardless of pregnancy. Anything that comes from the soil could well have come into contact with faeces of some description.

But baths are fine, and pre-packaged sandwiches. And hairdye. And lifting heavy things early on in pregnancy. And missing the odd vitamin. And hot showers. And hamsters, dogs and cats (provided you don't lick them). And what is supposedly wrong with Mr Whippy?!

My midwife told me not to eat pre packed anything - sandwiches, salads, pasta pots, etc. Very confusing

Do you think she meant for you to avoid processed foods where possible, as general health advice?

Oh, hang on @WellItsNotAFerrari, where are you?

Pre-packed meat is safe to eat if you're pregnant
Pre-packed meats such as ham and corned beef are safe to eat in pregnancy. Some websites based in other countries may suggest that you avoid pre-packed meats when pregnant, but this is not the advice in the UK.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/foods-to-avoid-pregnant/

If you're from another country that may be why she said to avoid it.

*Should say 'If you're writing from another country'

Hey @Maggie272! We meet again :)
I think this is a nice thread as it shows there are all sorts of myths and worries women get told to worry about which we probably shouldn't!
I think exposure to a few germs is always good, being too sterile is not going to help anyone's immune system including baby!
I've accidentally eaten mould ripened cheese and I often forget to wash apples / fruit but that's about it.
I did get worried about so many other things but I am starting to realise a slightly relaxed approach is best haha. I don't eat meat anyway. I do love an egg sandwich tho and my midwife said ore package sandwiches are fine if from reputable shop !

Came on here to confess about a glass of red wine and didn't even know most of these things were a thing!
I have always changed the cat litter tray and just washed my hands after? :/
Am I right in thinking we can have melted Brie?

Came on here to confess about a glass of red wine and didn't even know most of these things were a thing!

Most of the above things are not, in fact, things. Stick to what the NHS says and you won't go far wrong.

I have always changed the cat litter tray and just washed my hands after? :/

Maybe wear gloves from now on, but washing your hands should be sufficient, provided you do it properly (Google hand washing technique, NHS) unless you're getting cat poo stuck under your nails for some horrific reason.

Am I right in thinking we can have melted Brie?

Cooked brie etc is fine.

And what is supposedly wrong with Mr Whippy?!

It’s the machines. If they’re not cleaned properly then there can be a very very small risk of listeria food poisoning. Which is essentially what you’re trying to avoid with all the food guidelines. Except for the not having liver/pate, that’s to avoid too much Vitamin A, which can affect the development of the baby.

The NHS website is the absolute best guide to see the current guidelines. If it doesn’t mention whatever you’re worried about on there, then it’s totally fine.

This is a refreshingly light hearted post 🙌

Wow this is making me worry about things I didn’t even think of! I’ve definitely been rubbish at taking my vitamins! I’ve basically given up with them now cos they make me feel sick.
I sleep with my dog, why would that be bad for pregnancy?
What’s wrong with pre packed sandwiches!?

Fab thread! The other day I was messing around on my phone whilst eating breakfast and looked up to find the cat had stuck his paw in my porridge. I ate it anyway.