Refrains from well-intentioned loved ones starting to sound like a dizzying chorus?
“As soon as you are expecting your first child, people come out of the woodwork to share it,” said Kelly Oriard, LMFT, therapist and co-founder of Slumberkins, which creates educational learning products for kids.
Time to ditch the unhelpful advice for these suggestions instead.
“Don’t ever eat tuna fish during pregnancy. Don’t ever eat liver during pregnancy. Don’t ever drink caffeine during pregnancy,” recited Stephanie Jeret, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and owner of Speak with Stephanie LLC. These were the words she often heard while pregnant.
“When my OB-GYN told me that caffeine was perfectly acceptable to consume, I looked at him astonishingly. He told me I shouldn’t listen to my grandmother. I pointed to my husband, the true culprit of this conspiracy.”
Jeret isn’t a medical professional and isn’t saying caffeine, tuna fish or liver is acceptable for every pregnant woman. “I am; however, suggesting that your OBGYN knows more than the Internet and your well-meaning friends,” she said.
“Many expecting moms have a difficult time connecting with baby while in utero. But it can help build a foundation for bonding once the baby is born,” said Oriard.
She suggested starting an affirmation practice by speaking positive self-talk to yourself and your baby, creating a beneficial habit that you can continue post-birth. Say things like, “I am kind,” “I am lovable,” “I am brave and unique.”
Michelle Mintz, MS, CCC-SLP, an early development expert and founder of Baby Blooming Moments, agreed. “Sing and read while pregnant and then when your baby arrives, sing and read the same,” she shared.
Don’t overanalyze
Dr. Chelsea Canon, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at RMA of New York wants to remind expecting moms that your first trimester symptoms don’t correlate with the health of the pregnancy.
“I often have patients complaining that they don’t have morning sickness or don’t ‘feel pregnant’ but still have a healthy pregnancy on ultrasound,” she said.