{Top Ten} No, That Won't Hurt Your Baby

For the past couple of years, I have frequented an internet forum that is for expectant mothers.  During pregnancy, the women are grouped according to the month in which their babies are due, and friendships are formed.  I'm proud to say I'm friends with many women from the group I was part of when Lizzie was a baby.

Now there is a new group for women due in July 2011.  It has been a riot.  Being one of the ones who has "been there, done that" has made me laugh because there are so many questions by the first time moms.  Things like, "I pop my back when it bothers me; can that hurt my baby?"  "Can I use mouthwash that has alcohol in it?  Will that hurt my baby?"  "Can I eat yogurt? It has cultures in it, so is it safe?"  Really, people?

Now that most everyone there has made it out of the first trimester, or at least they're really close to it, the tone has gotten much lighter.  So I thought I would make a general list for everyone.  Maybe it would nip a few of the questions in the bud.  Enjoy!

• No matter how hard you push, prod, poke, or roll, your hand is not going to hurt your baby.  

• Having sex will not hurt your baby (provided you're not on pelvic rest per doctor's orders).

• Sleeping on your belly, side or back* will not hurt your baby - if you wake up in any of these positions, you haven't done something terrible, just roll over.  Once you aren't comfortable sleeping on one of the 'bad' ways to sleep, then find another way to sleep.*Lying on your back for extended periods after around 15 weeks is not recommended because the weight of the uterus and baby can press on an artery, which cuts your circulation; that's not good for either of you.  But that doesn't mean you've done irreparable damage because you woke up that way.
  
  
• Falling on your butt or your elbow or your back won't hurt your baby.  It'll give you a good bruise or sprain, but unless you suddenly have bleeding, cramping, or other signals of distress from your uterus, your baby is fine.

• That pasta sauce, beef roast, beer cheese soup, or beer bread, while cooked with alcohol, still will not hurt your baby.

• Strenuous exercise will not hurt your baby; it may hurt you while your ligaments and joints are stretching and shifting, which is why it's not recommended.  

• That hot dog, Subway sandwich, cup of coffee, stick of gum, Dr. Pepper, yogurt that expired yesterday, deli cheese, medium-rare steak, stale bread, or the butter-drenched and fabulous lobster tail that you ate will not hurt your baby.  

• Hot showers, warm baths, cozy fires, soft music, flowers, delicious meals, and chocolate, will not hurt your baby.

• Coughing, sneezing, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, flatulence, bowel movements, laughing too hard, screaming, dogs barking, dogs jumping on you in excitement, pets licking you, forgetting to take your vitamin, and the grocery store clerk looking at you funny, will not hurt your baby.

• However, car accidents, domestic (or other) violence, falling hard on your belly, signs of severe dehydration or illness or any unexplained pain that doesn't go away with a dose or two of Tylenol and rest and a bottle of water, among other things that your doctor has probably already warned about.... could be a sign of something more serious, and are definitely worth a phone call or trip to the ER.

          Happy, safe, healthy, and sane pregnancy to you all!

Are there any more that you would add?