when you you really give up caffeine?

[Anonymous]

So the first time around, I found out I was pregnant and I knew nothing, NOTHING, about things you were supposed to eat or drink or be around. I figured it all out, but it took a few weeks (and being violently sick is a pretty great way to not eat anything anyway). Second time around, I'm older, we're planning it, and I realized I actually don't know exactly when all the food restrictions start. Did you all give up deli meat, caffeine and alcohol in preparation to get pregnant or not until you test? Or to summarize, do I really have to give up coffee now? When did you change your diet?

[Anonymous]

Caffeine - Didn't give this up, I cut back to 1-2 cups of coffee a day once I got the positive on the pregnancy test, though.

I'm not really a deli meat eater so I ended up not having any while TTC but I've had a couple cold cut sandwiches since getting pregnant. I just microwave the meat, NBD.

Alcohol and other "avoid when pregnant" all stopped when I got the positive test but not when TTC. It took us a year to get pregnant so I'm glad I wasn't spending a year avoiding things I liked in anticipation of being pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I am TTC #2 and haven't fully given up anything yet (though I will if/when pregnant). I did cut back on caffeine because I get caffeine withdrawal headaches pretty severely and don't want to be in that position if I have to stop abruptly. Otherwise, I figure who knows how long it will take me to get pregnant (already been trying for 6 mos) and it seems crazy to give things up before knowing I'm pregnant for sure. When I was TTC the first time, I totally gave up caffeine ahead of time and that was it. But I have a 3 year old now and need my coffee!

[Anonymous]

I'm currently pregnant. I didnt give anything up until the line turned pink!

As for what I gave up: no alcohol, no unpasteurized soft cheeses, no fish of certain kinds, no sushi w/raw fish, sandwich meat (because it is gross heated, IMHO).

What I cut back on: Other kinds of fish (such as tuna), caffeine. I still drink coffee but just one cup/day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm currently pregnant. I didnt give anything up until the line turned pink!

As for what I gave up: no alcohol, no unpasteurized soft cheeses, no fish of certain kinds, no sushi w/raw fish, sandwich meat (because it is gross heated, IMHO).

What I cut back on: Other kinds of fish (such as tuna), caffeine. I still drink coffee but just one cup/day.

I'm the PP that microwaves the cold cuts and I have to throw it in the fridge or freezer to cool it back down before I eat it because yea, warm lunch meat is disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Never gave it up. The only thing on the forbidden list was alcohol.

[Anonymous]

While TTC I dropped caffeine to decaf and reserved alcohol for special occasions so I wouldn't have to deal with the abrupt deprivation of either. Once pregnant, it was easy to just not drink since I really hadn't been for months already and kept my decaf coffee.

I gave up the rest (raw-fish sushi, deli meat, soft cheeses) only once pregnant since there's no withdrawal (physical or psychological) associated with them.

[Anonymous]

I didn't give up anything until I got a positive test, but even then I really only gave up alcohol, although I did have some in third tri.

[Anonymous]

Never! Just cut back to one cup a day once pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I recommend the book "Expecting Better" OP. Goes over these kinds of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend the book "Expecting Better" OP. Goes over these kinds of issues.

+1

[Anonymous]

I didn't give up anything while TTC. Now that I'm pregnant with my second child, I really have not written off much entirely. I mostly avoid deli meats and soft cheeses, but have had both on occasion. I eat fish a couple of times per week, but never raw fish. I have one cup of coffee per day, which is my norm even when not pregnant, and I have a couple of glasses of red wine per week.

You don't necessarily need to have blanket bans of items. It's all about moderation and your comfort level.

[Anonymous]

I did not give up anything during my pregnancies and my kids are awesome.

[Anonymous]

I stopped drinking coffee during the first trimester because it was gross to me. Otherwise, I haven't given anything up (except alcohol, which was fine, as I don't drink anyway). I eat soft cheeses, sushi, deli meat etc. Totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recommend the book "Expecting Better" OP. Goes over these kinds of issues.

+1

+2. I referenced that book a lot while pregnant.