Pregnancy Facts for Expecting Mothers: From Stretch Marks to Things to Avoid

You can't prevent stretch marks. Sometimes they are genetic and vary greatly depending on whether a woman has a multiple pregnancy or how many pregnancies a woman has had. A good indication of whether you might get them is to ask your mother or sister if she got stretch marks.

I used coco butter and all sorts of fancy creams throughout my entire pregnancy, I still ended up with huge stretch marks, however, I was pregnant with twins. There are ways to lighten them later, don't worry about it and wear your battle scar proudly; it's a small price to pay for a gift such as a child.

There are foods that you should NOT eat such as: Sushi or any raw fish, check with your OB to see which other types of fish are a no-no because many of them have high levels of mercury in them which could harm your unborn baby. Of course do not consume alcohol or smoke, you are pregnant and it is time to take care of yourself and your baby. You should not eat unpasteurized cheeses such as feta, and eliminate or limit the amount of lunch meat in your diet because of the high sodium content. There are actually a lot of foods to stay away from when you are pregnant, be sure to discuss your diet with your OB.

There are many activities to stay away from when you are pregnant such as: Do not change the kitty litter box, it is crawling with germs that could potentially harm your baby. That was one of the few bonuses I experienced being pregnant, at least I didn't have to do that anymore. Of course any activity that may jar your midsection such as theme-park rides, off-roading, and horseback riding. Use common sense to avoid the types of activities that could be dangerous, if you are ever in question if an activity is OK or not, call your OB.

If you are put on bed-rest do not do ANY activity, please follow your doctors orders. I was put on bed-rest at 4 months pregnant, and after a fluid level problem with "baby B" I was put on strict bed-rest. It was hard, you loose muscle tone, and go stir crazy, but sometimes it is the best thing you can do for your baby. There are many reasons to be on bed-rest, some are incompetent cervix, multiple pregnancy, past problems etc... It can make a huge difference in your pregnancy and for your baby, just stock up on search-n-finds, crossword puzzles, books and movies to pass the time. If you knit or crochet now might be the time to work on that baby blanket.

Every pregnancy is different, just like every baby is different. Follow your doctor's orders, seek medical care, take care of yourself, and get as much rest as you can. Once the baby is born you can kiss sleep goodbye for quite some time, so rest up for the most exciting ride of your life. Try to stay calm and relaxed, pack your hospital bag & pep the nursery ahead of time, my kiddos were born 1-1/2 months early, I am glad I didn't procrastinate. And don't forget to ask for help, you don't have to be superwoman, this is a major life change and you don't have to go through it alone.