Can I do that / Can I eat that ?

Hi gain-a-baby,

No probs. Yes I'm sure everyone who gives advice means well In the end I suppose it's up to us to filter through it all and decide what's relevant (or logical) and what's not.
I love giving advice to mommies2B too, but it's also okay if they disagree with me. In the end each mommy does what she feels is best for her and baby.. and thats what counts!
Good luck!! x

minki.vandriel - That's so good to hear. I don't have a domestic and will gladly do everything in the house by myself, little bits every night or something easy. This is why I had to ask about it as it sounds insane....shame they're probably just trying to look out for me. I'm definitely not the type of person to sit around and watch the dust mites take over.

Love walking! It's such a freeing exercise

Thank you for the advice

Hi Gain-a-baby,

There are many opinions on do's/donts during pregnancy - most of which has not been scientifically proven to be bad. Thus, everyone is free to decide what is best for them.

However, I do think avoiding house chores / basic everyday tasks is taking it a bit to the extreme, unless you have a high risk pregnancy and there is a medical exception.

This is my second pregnancy. With my first I sanded down our entire house's wooden flooring, painted the whole house and carried on with basic tasks as normal. My healthy daughter is almost turning 2 now and I had a perfect full term pregnancy with no complications whatsoever.

Now with my second pregnancy I can definitely not avoid picking her up on a daily basis. i think the key here is good posture. Trying to keep your back as straight as possible and use your LEGS (by bending your knees) rather than your back muscles for these tasks.

It probably also depends on the type of person you are. I am quite active and I think I would go insane if I had to do nothing for 9 months!

In my opinion, I think the working women of today has become very spoilt with domestic services (including myself). I have read a pregnancy book which was published around 1980 where they have pictures of how to iron, do washing, mop floors ect using the correct posture

Then with regards to a daily walk. This is almost a must for any pregnant woman - especially if you want to give birth vaginally! keeping fit is not only good for mommy, but for baby too! Just keep it light and dont start boot camp at this time Also avoid jumping excersizes (such as skipping rope) and sit-ups.

Other than this.. I think that the stress of worrying about what is allowed/not allowed is worse for the baby than the actual task!

Hi,

My SIL and MIL advised me not to put avoid pressure on my tummy, so things like sweeping, mopping, hanging washing....even making up my bed (MIL says the shaking out of the duvet is also a no) - What do you ladies think?

I'm avoiding smoked and cured meat & fish for now, I mostly eat Tuna, Hake and Snoek but grilled. I LOVE SUSHI - especially salmon sashimi but of course will avoid it now.

I want to start at least a 10 minute walk in the evening, this should be ok?

I went down to my usual spot, I've never had a problem there before, and asked if they had smoked salmon. And sorted out the cravings. Thanks for all the advice ladies

The reason why some books advise not to eat sushi is due to the fact that it includes raw fish and if sourced from a dodgy supplier, it MAY contain parasites (especially raw salmon). There is a small chance that it may contain bacteria if it is not fresh, but in my experience one would smell that immediately. It is raw fish, after all! If it starts to smell "fishy", it usually is

My gynae advised me that sushi (including raw) is fine, as long as I buy it from a good source or a restaurant that is well established and safe. Dont try new and "exciting" sushi bars. So I continued to go to our local Cape Town Fish Market, where we know the food is of good quality.

Obviously you can have veggie sushi and prawn and crab sushi, since those are cooked. As long as the prawns are fresh, same as above. (The reason why some books advise against praws, incidentally, is also due to risk of food poisoning. As long as the prawns are fresh, no problem!)

Tuna does contain mercury, but that doesnt change whether it's raw or cooked, so as long as you stick to the guidelines about how much tuna per week is safe (I think they recommend no more than twice per week), the mercury is not a reason for not eating sushi.

Hi,

I eat veg sushi, and you can have prawn and crap.
Raw fish is out due to mercury and bacteria that is not good for you or baby.

I eat spicy food. And we are still fine.
I think if you do it in moderation, then all is good