You’re pregnant. It’s a joyful time as you prepare to welcome the new addition to your family. Then you hop online, or open your daily newspaper. Caffeine, food, exercise, stress – what to do, what to avoid – it’s an information battlefield for expecting women.
As an obstetrician at Sunnybrook, I see women every day who come armed to their appointments with a million questions. Pregnant women are bombarded with conflicting advice, from research studies, to parenting books and websites, to friends and families’ tips. Women want to do the best for their baby, but also need to continue on with their daily lives. Preferably without losing their minds.
So how do you have a healthy pregnancy and still manage to enjoy life? Here are a few tips:
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Managing information overload during pregnancy
Take headlines with a grain of salt
There have been recent studies, for example, on antidepressants and anxiety medications while pregnant, but you always need to speak with your doctor before making decisions based on what you read. Making changes to your medication routine without speaking to your physician can be risky.
Own what you’re comfortable with
There are guidelines for pregnancy around many foods and lifestyle choices. For example, Health Canada recommends no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day for women of reproductive age. So enjoy your daily latte if it’s something you can’t imagine giving up.
The deal-breakers
Studies show that both drinking and smoking are dangerous for your unborn baby. If you’re struggling with quitting smoking or drinking, talk to your family physician, midwife or obstetrician.
Accept some stress
You’ll still have doubts and fears throughout your pregnancy. The fact that you’re worried and want to do the best for your baby shows that you’re going to be a loving and responsible parent.
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