Were You Less Cautious With Subsequent Pregnancies?

March 5, 2009

First time mamas-to-be are often cautious — limited caffeine, no raw fish, deli meats, etc. Having given birth to a healthy baby, you might have taken pride in your pregnancy discipline. However, once you are running around after a tot or find yourself expecting again, some of those rules may or may not slip your mind. Were you as careful with subsequent pregnancies as you were with your first?

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20 Comments

Lily Inferno 4 years 11 weeks

My first time around I cut out caffeine completely, no raw fish, no deli meats or hot dogs, and really didnt take any kind of medication unless it was absolutely necessary. Im on my second pregnancy now, and I have maybe 1 soda a day, Im a bit more lax with sandwiches (Mainly bc its the only thing I can eat without feeling like Im going to die) Ive had maybe 2 glasses of wine. As far as eating, I try to stay away from fast food, but its the easiest thing when at work during the week. Last one, I didnt really work out, but gained maybe 20 lbs (I was afraid to eat) and this time around Im doing a bit more as far as working out goes.

Chrstne 4 years 11 weeks

I don't have kids, but wanted to add my moms experience. With me, my mom ate whatever she wanted...which, oddly enough, could not be anything sweet or salty, just bland, and healthy. Just chicken, salads, and mild fruits and veggies. Nothing else. Needless to say my mom wore a size 9 jeans at her biggest while pregnant. I was born over one month early due to other complications.With my brother, she ate EVERYTHING. Ice cream, candy bars, salted bagels, mcdonald's....and definitely not in moderation. She gained A LOT of weight, had a 9 lb, 3 oz baby, and he wasn't screwed up in any way. She did tell me though that she was less scared the second time around because she knew what was bad, what she should or should not be concerned about.

Chrstne 4 years 11 weeks

I don't have kids, but wanted to add my moms experience. With me, my mom ate whatever she wanted...which, oddly enough, could not be anything sweet or salty, just bland, and healthy. Just chicken, salads, and mild fruits and veggies. Nothing else. Needless to say my mom wore a size 9 jeans at her biggest while pregnant. I was born over one month early due to other complications. With my brother, she ate EVERYTHING. Ice cream, candy bars, salted bagels, mcdonald's....and definitely not in moderation. She gained A LOT of weight, had a 9 lb, 3 oz baby, and he wasn't screwed up in any way. She did tell me though that she was less scared the second time around because she knew what was bad, what she should or should not be concerned about.

Sara Rose 4 years 11 weeks

I drink a cup of coffee everyday. I rarely ever want soda- maybe once a week max. I eat soft cheeses when the mood strikes, but that isn't that often with this pregnancy. I ate sushi once a week when I was pregnant with my first and she was perfectly fine. I still eat it about twice a month now. I've gotten to the phase where I want to eat a lot but am getting over that pretty quickly now. It'stwo or three weeks but I always lasted about get indigestion afterwards so nevermind. I take benadryl when I can't sleep, tylenol when I have a headache, and claritin for the constant runny nose- all per dr recommendation.

MaggieLei 4 years 11 weeks

In response to macgirl- I get horrible headaches from a TMJ disorder. With my first I just took the Tylenol and felt a little bad. Last week I got a headache and didn't have any with me, but a friend had children's Tylenol meltaways. I took 3- the dosage size for 72-95 lbs. - I am way more than that. The headache disappeared in 5 minutes. I couldn't believe it. I was taking the extra-strength with my first and there is a chance I could have been taking a low dose of children's.

MaggieLei 4 years 11 weeks

It's funny that you should mention the Whopper! I have totally wanted that exact burger with both babies during the nasty sick phase of pregnancy. I was never very cautious. I knew I would probably have big children (9lb. 2oz. with my first) so I honestly never eliminated caffeine. I love brie. I eat pretty well to begin with. I have noticed that this time I don't have time to eat as much. That could be good.

MaggieLei 4 years 11 weeks

macgirl 4 years 11 weeks

I was much more comfortable the second time around. Since I make gigantic babies I wasn't as concerned about the caffeine and would have a diet soda if the mood struck me. I had sushi once and occasionally had some soft cheese. I also was much more willing to take tylenol if I had a really bad headache whereas the first time around I avoided everything. Well except food, I gained 80 lbs the first time. This time around I ate more sensibly and gained like 25. With nearly a decade between the two I had different things to worry about.

lickety split 4 years 11 weeks

i think i gave it less thought the second time around because i was busy and felt more confident. for sure i paid better attention to my iron levels, i was even more tired since i was busy with another child already.

Kimpossible 4 years 11 weeks

The answers don't fit the question: Were you less cautious? Yes, I still followed the rules and No, I was more lax.. shouldn't they be reversed? or is my brain just not working properly? To answer I was just as cautious with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th pg's as I was with my first - possibly even slightly more cautious because I was older and other factors came into play as well.

Kimpossible 4 years 11 weeks

The answers don't fit the question:Were you less cautious? Yes, I still followed the rules and No, I was more lax.. shouldn't they be reversed? or is my brain just not working properly?To answer I was just as cautious with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th pg's as I was with my first - possibly even slightly more cautious because I was older and other factors came into play as well.

princessya 4 years 11 weeks

Well, this is my first, so I can't really answer this poll, but based off of what I've been doing, I pulled out all the stops. I changed my diet completely, included more legumes, cut caffeine consumption to maybe a sip once or twice a month, and exercise more often. I see it as the ideal time to get myself in shape as well as the baby. If I had room, I'd probably grow my own fruits and vegetables. :)

Greggie 4 years 11 weeks

I don't eat whatever I want but I don't know how someone can feel guilty over eating a Whopper once in awhile either.

bluepuppybites 4 years 11 weeks

Well being that I was still partying with my first before I knew I was pregnant, I guess with this one I'm more cautious. We planned this one so I started taking prenatals early, I was able to wean myself off of Starbucks, and try to eat right. I did all this with my first also, after I found out, but I was more prepared. I feel so guilty when I want a whopper, and eat one knowing that the tomato on it doesn't really count as a vegetable. I don't know how some women think that cause they are pregnant they can eat whatever and as much as they want. I think that's insanity!

katedavis 4 years 11 weeks

I keep to all the don'ts with the second, but I've had decaf coffee a several times and I think I only had it once with my son. My doc says sushi is ok as long as it's super-fresh so there's only one place I'll get from, but being that I have a kid already I never get out so that hasn't been such an issue. :)

Greggie 4 years 11 weeks

Only with caffeine, because studies changed so often. So I moderated but didn't cut it out during any pregnancy.

Baluk 4 years 11 weeks

I followed the same rules for all my pregnancies. No raw fish, no unpasteurized cheeses...but I still drank caffiene! I have two cups of coffee in the morning. My first two were the same weight, a healthy 7lb 6 oz...my third is due in a month so we'll see! ps. of course no alcohol or cigarettes!

Baluk 4 years 11 weeks

macneil 4 years 11 weeks

More cautious. I drank a bit of red bull, ate some French cheese and sushi with my first pregnancy, and had a small baby - just under 6 pounds at full term. I read that caffeine was associated with low birth weight, so the second time around I didn't touch caffeine at all, wasn't in the right place to eat sushi (Vancouver the first time around) . Also, I had a miscarriage in between, and although I'd followed the rules as long as that lasted, I was very nervous the next time around and also didn't touch that soft cheese or any seafood. Result: even smaller baby - just under 5 pounds at full term - and a terrible placenta. But she seems healthy and is very beautiful. It is always good to be sensible. But sometimes, you just think you'll go crazy if you don't eat some brie, or whatever, and it's important not to beat yourself up if you have a weak moment. I don't mean smoking or drinking, but when it comes to little food slips where a link with pregnancy is suggested, you have to remember that these things are mostly beyond our control.

macneil 4 years 11 weeks

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