Week 36: Eat, Drink and Be Merry  

Yesterday was crazy. After downing my fourth cup of espresso, I jumped into the car and, while neglecting to fasten my seatbelt, broke speed limits to get to my kick-boxing class on time. Later, after a near-miss with my hair-dryer over a sink of water, my nerves were so on edge that I had to pop a couple of sleeping pills with a glass of vodka just to get some shuteye.  

Actually, I didn't do any of those things. But from the reactions I sometimes get over the things I eat and drink, you'd think that I was in fact leading a reckless rockstar lifestyle that was in total disregard of my health or that of the baby growing inside of me.  

I eat sushi. And funky cheeses. And cookie and pancake batter that have raw eggs in them. Occasionally, I'll down a hot dog or some deli meats. And, yes, I even have a glass of wine or a beer with a nice meal. All of these are well-known no-no's during pregnancy. The threat of e-coli, listeria, nitrates, fetal alcohol syndrome and the many other dangers that lurk in our food and drink hang over our heads like a guillotine. Even Chinese food - laden with MSG - is considered a walk on the wild side.  While many well-respected sources warn you away from these things, I have to wonder if we're being just a little over-cautious.  

I'm not trying to make light of this. What we take into our bodies during pregnancy is a very important matter. But I feel like common sense and a good dose of moderation play a role as well.   

Common sense tells us that chowing down on a hot dog from a dirty street cart on the back streets of Philly might be a little risky. Moderation isn't best demonstrated by getting tipsy over a bottle of wine with your hubby after the kids go to bed.   

Like many of my other friends, I abided by the standard dietary restrictions during my first pregnancy. But now, as I talk with other seasoned moms-to-be, I find that many of them are breaking some rules and actually enjoying what they consume over their nine months of pregnancy (once they get over that God-awful first trimester). Having learned about their bodies and their babies the first time around, they understand that by carefully considering their food and drink choices, they can continue to enjoy some of the things they love - in moderation, of course.  

I love bringing this topic up with people like my parents and in-laws. They'll confess to everything they did wrong during their pregnancy and afterward - smoking, drinking, holding their kids on their laps in the car (car seats? who had car seats??) - and then quickly point to their grown children and announce, "They turned out all right!"  

True enough, though that's not proof that you can go out and let loose during pregnancy. But maybe it goes to show how far we've come in understanding the well-being of our bodies and babies, as well as our limitations. Perhaps with a little consideration and care, we can relax at the dinner table and not demonize the things we love.  

I'll raise a glass to that!