So, the little blue line appears on the testing stick and what you’d suspected ever since buying it is confirmed: you’re pregnant.
When I discovered I was expecting baby number three I had absolutely no idea I was pregnant – we weren’t ‘trying’ and as a result I hadn’t been watching what I was doing, eating or drinking.
I unwittingly broke all of the biggest pregnancy no-nos in the weeks before I realised the reason I was feeling so awful wasn’t because I was simply more knackered than usual, but because I was, in fact, growing a tiny human being.
Pregnancy no-nos & what to do if you break the ‘rules’
Pregnancy no-no 1: ‘Don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy’ – Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Oh dear. Here I am gaily sipping a pint on a mini-break with Misery Guts, totally oblivious to what was going on inside.
Pregnancy no-no 2: ‘Don’t take very hot baths or use hot tubs or saunas’ – womenshealth.gov.
Here I am getting extremely lightheaded in a boiling hot jacuzzi on the aforementioned mini break.
The obligatory #spabreak #selfie in the gorgeous #spagarden at @foxhillssurrey
A photo posted by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on
Pregnancy no-no 3: ‘Don’t eat raw shellfish when pregnant as it can cause food poisoning’ – NHS Choices.
Which unfortunately would have ruled out this tray of sushi I ate on a work trip to London.
Other misdemeanours include changing the cat litter tray (apparently this puts pregnant women at risk of toxoplasmosis), exposing myself to toxic substances (I’m including toxic nappies in this) and eating mould-ripened cheese (it doesn’t do the French any harm, does it?)
So what should you do if you unwittingly break these so-called ‘rules’? My advice, having broken pretty much all of them, is not to worry about it.
There’s absolutely nothing you can do about it now, and given you can’t turn the clock back what’s the point in fretting? Just try to be ‘good’ from now on. When I was heavily pregnant with Little B I went for a pedicure so I was labour-room-ready (it seemed important at the time!!) and there was a retired midwife having her nails done, who told me sagely: “remember they survive in spite of us”. Wise words indeed.
Did you stick to all the ‘rules’ in pregnancy? Or did you break the pregnancy no-nos too?
Linking up with…
Ahh you rule breaker ha ha!! I totally agree, no need to worry whatsoever in those early weeks 🙂 🙂 hope you’re feeling well lovely x x #TheList
Thank you I’m starting to feel a little better – the early weeks were really awful this time round! I have added this post to your pregnancy Pinterest board xx
When I was pregnant, I totally avoid the no-nos as much as I can, I’m a worry freak… Totally agree with you though, no point worrying now… just make sure you behave from then on. Hope you’re keeping well! #PicknMix
There’s nothing I can do about it now – I got myself into a right state and the beginning, then realised I couldn’t change anything so there was no point wasting more time worrying!
Your not alone I was exactly the same with baby three a surprise and broke a huge amount of the rules too. When I realised I did not have wind It was a baby I was busy growing I was a tad shocked. Our little lad is now 8 months old and very healthy boy. #pick mix
That’s so good to hear! Mistaking a baby for wind is an easy thing to do, right?!!
I often wonder if women in other countries are subjected to so many rules – y’know are Japanese pregnant women warned off sushi or sauna-loving Scandis told to avoid spas? I was pretty careful during my prenancy but I did scoff alot of peanut butter – rebel! #PicknMix
Oh yes, I’m a peanut fan too – should have added that one in! I was so careful with baby number one and two, I just didn’t realise this time round!
I had major issues with the cat litter as i had 2 cats when i was pregnant and my husband worked away a lot, so i didn’t want to leave the litter trailing all over the floor. I had no choice than to clean it up….with gloves on! then a good scrub of my hands after! I missed poached eggs too!! i wished i had just eaten them to be honest! #picknmix
I didn’t realise eggs were a thing – and I’m still emptying the cat litter too!!
I love this post. I was super cautious when I was pregnant and it wasn’t until someone said to me ”Do you think people in other country avoid all this stuff?’ that I calmed down a little and stopped panicking. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was desperate for a dippy egg so I did it and my little pickle is now almost 2 and as string as an ox 🙂
#picknmix
It’s ridiculous when you think about all the no-nos really – I think we need to exercise some common sense!
I was the same with my first pregnancy I pretty much broke every rule before I found out. The doctor said that 97% of woman do and not to worry. As soon as I found out I stuck by the rules, too much of a worrier. x #picknmix
You hear of women who find out they’re pregnant six months or more in so a few weeks being ‘naughty’ can’t be that bad!
Oh I love this. I’m currently pregnant with baby #2 and went on my friends hen do in Marbella non the wiser! I also enjoy the odd hot bath (nothing worse than a lukewarm bath)! x
I enjoy hot baths too – I spent my first two pregnancies in luke warm ones, then when I had a water birth the second time round I realised how hot you can actually get away with!
With my first son before I knew I was pregnant I did a skydive 😉 I wasn’t very far along at all ha! I think that might be on the don’t do whilst pregnant list. Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix lovely
Stevie x
I think that’s definitely on the no-no list! Great story to tell though!
I don’t think I stuck to any rules when I was pregnant! I had the occasional glass of wine and I certainly didn’t give up dippy eggs!! x #picknmix
I haven’t given up dippy eggs either – gagging for a proper glass of wine though! I did have a little glass of fizz on BB’s birthday…
When I was pregnant with my eldest you couldn’t eat nuts I was bummed because I was addicted to peanut mnms with my third baby the rules changed you only had to stay away from peanuts if a close relative had allergies. Hence I ate a small bag of peanut m n ms nearly everyday. I also got a tattoo when pregnant with my first, I was only six weeks and it had been booked for ages, and went in a hot tub on my honeymoon when I was 12weeks pregnant with my second #thelist
I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to get tattoos…never heard that one before!!
If you don’t know you’re pregnant and are not really trying to make a baby then you can’t go around avoiding everything ‘just in case’ you are..life would be so boring. I think I drank a bit at the beginning of the pregnancy before I realised and I’m 31 weeks pregnant now and all is normal. I think you’re right and you just have to try not to worry, you can’t go back and undrink that glass of wine. I hope you’re feeling well and pregnancy is going ok so far xx #TheList
Thanks very much – I think it’s right that they survive in spite of us!!
I broke most of the rules too because I had no idea I was pregnant. Even cycled 50k on holiday in a day after not being on a bike for years and I never exercise! Followed up by much wine. (Wouldn’t mind but I’m a midwife myself ). Agree with the old midwife you met – words to live by especially in the newborn days! #picknmix
Wow 50K is a long way – even if you do usually exercise!! Hats off to you!!
Eeshkkk Natalie! 😉
I’m sure I broke loads of rules. I was really put out when I discovered I wasn’t supposed to eat Mr Whippy Ice Cream. I Loooovvveeee Mr WHippy Ice Cream.
Then, when you know you aren’t ‘allowed something’, it just makes you want it more…Even when you aren’t usually that bothered about it.
I think the retired midwife is a very wise lady!
Thanks for sharing #TheList
Not supposed to be eating something definitely makes me want it more! I’ve certainly been indulging in 99’s with a flake this summer though!
This post made me laugh. I think you have to take the advice with a pinch of salt. If you don’t know you’re pregnant then there isn’t much you can do. Most people fall into the same trap. Great advice and a light hearted look at things people stress out about. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
Thank you! And if I hadn’t realised so soon I could have been naughty for a lot longer!
Oh fair play to you! In between my two pregnancies the rules changed and it was suddenly ok to eat rare steak as long as the outsides were cooked, and baked brie / camembert were deemed fine too. Heaven! I followed the rulebook to the letter first time around but with my second, I did relax things a bit. Everything in moderation and lots of water to flush it all through, ha. #KCACOLS
I love the water idea – great theory!!
Piglet was a little surprise for us too. I took the test 5 days after spending a fab weekend away with some friends drinking myself into oblivion! First thing by GP said was not to worry, whats done is done and just try and behave from there on out. And I did….. mostly. I couldnt give up the cheese! #kcacols
Luckily I’m not a big cheese fan so that’s ok – it’s the wine that’s the problem!!
I got my ear pierced when I was two months pregnant – not supposed to do that, apparently :/ But on the plus side, I think you’re allowed runny eggs now. It was the caffeine that got me – I am just not a nice person without too much coffee. But I did cut it down to within the recommended limit, maybe that made up for the whole ear piercing thing?!
x Alice
#kcacols
I really hadn’t heard of the ear piercing thing until now – I’d love to know the theory behind that!
My doctor advised a glass of wine a night, I don’t call it breaking the rules as it was doctor’s orders! things were different in my day! #KCACOLS
Goodness lucky you!! Wish that was still the advice nowadays!
I wasnt a big rule breaker due to me being such a worrier…but I damn near cried over craving sushi and beer many a times.
Go on with your bad self. You can my crummy mummy and Ill be your USA sidekick Crap-mom.
Come visit me and my totally motley crew (four girls under nine)
http://www.fourprincessesandthecheese.com
I’ve carried on eating the sushi – minus the raw shellfish bit – as I just love it so much!!
You’re right. If you’ve unwittingly broken the rules of pregnancy, then don’t worry about it. There’s nothing you can do to reverse time. Sometimes being pregnant isn’t obvious at first. #KCACOLS
And I do wonder about all these rules too – are they really necessary??
It happened to us as well, we had drinks and pate but no harm was done to our child. So you are right, it doesn’t matter as long as they avoided after.
Ooo pate, my favourite! Don’t remind me!!
Congratulations on your pregnancy! With both of my pregnancies we’d been trying and I got the positive test before missing my period. If there ever was a surprise number 3, I wouldn’t worry about what I’d done before finding out I was pregnant as you can’t change it, so why worry about it? Xx #KCACOLS
Precisely!x
We were trying for over a year with my first and discovered I was pregnant the Monday after I’d been on a boozy hen weekend at a Spa where I had pretty much done everything you described, to extreme, in one hit. My now 10 year old fine! When pregnant with my 3rd the test kept saying that I wasn’t pregnant so finally went to the docs who did a positive test at 12 weeks! I’d been eating/ drinking as normal until then- my now 5 year old turned out OK! Xx #KCACOLS
That’s really good to hear – odd the test kept being negative!
I love the midwives wise words! All too true! I was 6 weeks gone before I found out I was pregnant with both of my girls, apparently I can’t count when it comes to dates…. Anyway both times I turned into a practical alcoholic in those first 6 weeks… Pinot blush first time and gin the second. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped drinking entirely and oddly I really didn’t worry about it as any wrong doing was already done… Too late and all that! But they have turned out ok so far!
#KCACOLS
I’d drunk an unusually high amount in the early weeks of this pregnancy too owing to our mini break and it being half term – I always need a daily drink in the school holidays!!
I think most people have broken lots of the rules before they discover their pregnancy! Even though I was sort of trying both times, I didn’t watch my drinking etc. until the pregnancy was confirmed. In fact, the first time round, I only figured out I was pregnany because I felt tipsy after only 1 glass of wine when normally my tolerance was higher! Then in my first pregnancy I was so careful about what I ate, but I was less cautious second time around. I ate runny eggs because I craved them (lion-marked tho) and occasional (non-shellfish and pre-frozen) sushi. #KCACOLS
I’ve been eating so much sushi this time round – I’ve really been craving it!
Rule breaker here! Mr Whippy ice-cream was the weirdest no-no. There was no way I could go 9 months without eating some 😉 #KCACOLS
Me too – glad I’m not the only one!!
With baby No1 I stuck to all the rules and found pregnancy a misery. When I was pregnant with baby No2 I broke all the rules except drinking alcohol ( well maybe a couple of small glasses of wine ) I got told off during both pregnancies for eating too many cakes. Lifes too short to not eat cake #KCACOLS
I don’t think you can eat too many cakes in pregnancy can you, or when you’re on maternity leave. Cake’s what got me through!!
I had quite a few soft ice creams when pregnant with my second – I believe there a no no but it was height of summer. I also had the odd drink but did say no to my beloved pate for the 9 months ! #kcacols
The pate one is such a shame – all I ate after having both BB and Little B was pate on toast, simply because I could!!
I love that you have unknowingly instagrammed all of your misdemeanours!! I found out I was pregnant both times with days so didn’t break any rules and was a pregnancy need. It’s now that I am that I drink too much and follow no rules!
Having Instagrammed all my misdemeanours there was no hiding from them – especially from people clever with dates!!
awww my first was super planned and I didn’t want to break any haha! although before the weekend I found out I drank a lot and ate brie. oops! #KCACOLS
All this talk of brie is making me want some!!
I was a nightmare when I was pregnant – I remember getting into a ridiculous state because I sipped some non-pasteurised orange juice! I think (hope!) I’d be a little bit more relaxed if I got pregnant again. #KCACOLS
Good grief how bad can orange juice be?!! How did we ever survive!!
Hahaha! This gave me a giggle.. #KCACOLS
Glad to have been of service!
I don’t think I broke any pregnancy rules! I was a good girl! Actually I was just too worried about everything! I even phoned my midwife to check I could eat a cold sausage roll!! #KCACOLS
Oh dear – poor midwife!!!!!
This is great advice and a great read. I worried about EVERYTHING! #kcacols
I really don’t think we should worry so much!!
I don’t think I paid enough attention to what all the rules were and had loads of hot baths and ate meringue and all sorts of other things… But both of my boys were okay. So I think that midwife was probably bang on the money! Love this post, and glad it wasn’t just me!
#KCACOLS
Oh yes meringue – totally forgot that one. And you saying it makes me fancy one!
The dos and donts of pregnancy can scare you senseless but you just have to be logical. So many women have been pregnant foe months without knowing and had healthy babies #KCACOLS
That’s so true – I’m talking a matter of weeks but some people do go months without realising don’t they!
For almost every article you find that says don;t do something you can find the opposite. In Japan they eat sushi their whole pregnancy. Most things are fine in moderation I say.
#KCACOLS
Thanks for popping over!
I’ve been eating sushi the whole pregnancy so far too, with the exception of shellfish. I lived in Japan for almost two years and it never seemed to do them any harm!!
I completely agree. There is nothing you can do about it once it’s done! Rules are all worst case scenarios. Of course it’s good to try and do our best to be good but I think balance and common sense comes into it too doesn’t it. Congratulations on your pregnancy! 🙂
Thanks very much – yes common sense rules I think!
There are just so many of these rules and they change so often that I don’t think anyone could possibly stick to them all! I heard someone the other day say that you weren’t allowed a Mr Whippy when pregnant – I never ever heard that one before?! Totally agree with you, you can’t rewind time, so why waste any time worrying about it! #KCACOLS
Yes apparently soft ice cream is a no-no too – boo hoo!
Oh I totally stuck to the rules when I knew I was preggers (I wouldn’t even take a strepsil!) but before not so much! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Are strepsils bad too? Surely they’re just a glorified sweet!!
I think I stuck to the rules quite closely with my first pregnancy, but less so with my second. But both times I knew almost straight away that I was pregnant. I think your attitude is spot on, if you didn’t know you were pregnant and broke all the rules, well, it’s done now, worrying about it won’t change anything! x #KCACOLS
Here here!
In the month before I found out I was pregnant, I had one of my biggest ever months in HK. I ate and drank everything I shouldn’t and even though at one point I suspected I was pregnant, the test was negative so I went out and ate that raw fish, chowed down on rare red meat and washed it all down with gallons of Pioneer Block.
On a night out with work, I ate more rare meat and drank a small glass of wine but had to go to the bathroom a few times to get away from the smell of fish which was making me want to puke. I picked up a pregnancy test on the way home – it was positive.
Two days later, I see my lovely kind GP and all I could say was ‘I think I pickled my baby’. All he could do was laugh and calm my fears by telling me that almost every woman he sees says the same thing!
We can’t live our lives with too much caution. I admit that I was then pretty sensible when I did know I was pregnant but 20 weeks of morning sickness enforced meant I didn’t want anything but salt and vinegar crisps!
And I bet your baby was fine too!
I think that there are a lot of rules here in the UK, I don’t think that they are strict in other countries especially France. It’s a challenging topic, as it’s such a grey area, as there’s no real answer yes or no when it comes to alcohol with pregnancy. During my first weeks, and like you I had no idea, I had a lot of alcohol and went on day at a spa – hot tubs, jacuzzis and steam rooms.I’m sure that everything will be ok for you, and don’t try to worry too much. Claire x #KCACOLS
Thanks – like I said it’s far too late now anyway!!