Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Ok, after reading several posts of other first time mommies to be, I def. consider myself fairly laid back. I'm not fearful of diseases, germs, safety things, health hazards, what/what not to eat, etc. I think its how I was raised. I'm not saying I'm careless, I think I just don't read into things as much as others.

That being said, do you think those who may be more concerned with little things look down on more laid-back people? I guess what I'm trying to say iis do you think others see not-worrying was as a way of not caring about your future child??? I'm just more of the "don't sweat the small stuff" and "don't worry until there is actually something to worry about" people. I just don't want others to preceive it as not caring which I think some may

Message edited 9/9/2008 1:40:52 PM.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

OOoh good question!!! I'd say I'm like you, mostly, I mean, I really think worrying one's life away is pointless, and not so good for (inside or outside). I got through the PG being VERY laid back, really, I ate what I wanted and never had mystery pains or freakouts, even as an "old mommy" where there were potentially things to be concerned about. DH is cool as a cucumber so he helps keep things on an even keel too. I was told once that "Worry is the ILLUSION of control" and that has been my mantra for the PG, and I hope I can remember it when gets here!!!

But today, right this minute, with -8 hours to induction, I am a freakin neurotic mess

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I don't consider myself a total worrywart freak about everything, but I do worry about certain things. For example, I don't eat what they tell you not to eat, but I'll sneak some of my DH's coffee on Sunday...things like that. As far as cramps and pains, i worried a bit in the beginning and I'd post my questions but I never freaked and called the dr and now I can be in pain and I don't worry, I know that the pains are par for the course to a certain degree. ETA: I've also dyed my hair, I was pretty proud of myself for "letting go" on that one.

But, when I read about how some of you eat cold cuts and your soft cheeses I don't look down on you at all, not at all. If anything I'm jealous, i wish I could be a little more carefree, unfortunately it's just not in my nature. My best friend ate turkey sandwiches for lunch almost every day of both of her pregnancies, had her occasional glass of wine, drank coffee, I never once looked down on her, I just thought, wow...I wish I could be that relaxed. Especially since I'd give my right arm for a freakin turkey sandwich.

Message edited 9/9/2008 2:04:31 PM.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

ok, I am a very laid back person but I have followed the "rules" to a T. We had a big scare where we thought we would lose the baby in the first trimester. ever since we were ttc I've been so careful of what i eat, no alcohol at all, no hot dogs, no deli meats etc. I just feel like if something happened to my baby bc of something I ate or drank I would never forgive mysefl. that being said, it boggles my mind that anyone would drink wine/ beer during pregnancy, even just one, why people would eat cold cuts knowing how harmful listeria could be to a fetus, and that people joke about eating drinking things they shouldn't be. god forbid something happened, would it still be funny?

I certainly do not look down on anyone, that's not my nature at all. I just don't understand it. I think people could do without a glass of wine for 9 months.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I am laid back during pregnancy and hear comments about it all of the time that I should be more concerned...

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

What do you mean by laid back? Generally I am - I didn't call my doctor asking about ultrascreen or AFP results or anything like that. But I have followed all the food "rules" - I haven't eaten cold cuts or soft cheeses, or soft serve ice cream. Maybe it is because it was so hard for me to get here and I had a loss along the way and to me to sacrifice a few foods for 9 months is not a big deal.
But I definitely don't stress about every little thing. So I don't know if I would be considered laid back or not.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Message edited 9/9/2008 2:21:50 PM.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I guess what I mean is, do you worry about every ack/pain/etc. I just read so many posts about things that I would never think twice about as others do and wonder does my lack of not thinking twice make others think I don't care.

Now, I must comment to Krissy. There is a huge difference between alchol and eating a hot dog. I don't think its at all comparable. If I have a hot dog once a month, I'm not worried as I guess most girls on this board are.

Based off the responses, I could see if you had difficulties before hand being more noticable towards certain things. Maybe this is why I'm more laid back.

Message edited 9/9/2008 2:10:13 PM.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Message edited 9/9/2008 2:12:37 PM.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I'm pretty high strung, but I'm fairly laid back concerning this pregnancy - I also tend to not make a 'big deal' out of things .........Yes, I'm pregnant, but it's not like I invented pregnancy and I'm not the first woman to do this !! So who am I to judge anyone else's choices?

And for as much as VERY conservative people wouldn't want me at them, I don't appreciate those same people lecturing me or making comments to me re: Whatever I may or may not be doing - And I don't really care if they're 'looking down on me, or thinking I dont' care about my pregnancy' ...........I do what my Dr. tells me .......My cousin IS an OBGYN and SHE has an ocassional beer, she eats like absolute CRAP and does almost everything they tell you not to .........
I do what MY Dr. tells me b/c I've decided to trust him -

I don't drink alcohol, but I DO drink caffiene (He said 2 cups a day was fine.......I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I like my iced tea)
I don't eat brie or blue cheese, but I eat fresh mozzerella - I don't eat cold cuts anyway so that's a non issue .........
I try to drink enough water, I don't lift the couch to clean underneath - I try to stick to the common sense stuff .......

I can understand why some people would be OVERLY cautious, and I can understand why others would be more laid back ...........in part, it's your personality, but also your life experiences -

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I don't know if I consider myself to be laid back or my philosphy of pregnancy is a bit different from the norm.

Before even TTC I cut alcohol, caffeine, diet sodas and most medications from my diet for 6 months before TTC. I also started a prenatal vitamin with Folic Acid.

I knew that I wanted my body to be in optimal condition before even conceiving because so much development occurs from teh moment of conception.

This being said, I follow a more natural approach to pregnancy and childbrith. I am planning a homebirth and am followe dby a midwife practice.

My ONLY dietary restrictions with this pregnancy is no artificial sweetners (Splenday, sweent and low etc), no alcohol until the thrid trimester ( I can have a glass of wine a few times a week) and I limite my tuna, swordfish and mackrel intake becauseof the mercury levels.

I eat, cured meats, soft cheese, sushi, runny eggs, med rare beef etc.

I am not having most screening tests and ultra sounds that a lot of women have.

I eat what I want when I want. My midwifes have no guidlines on wight gain. I keep a food journal that we go over at my vistist. They are more concerned with what I eat than what I gain.

THey don't do the yucky glucose drink test. They check for GD in a more natural way.

I have a medical backround so maybe that plays into me being more relaxed about what I feel and what is going on because I know what is normal and what isnt and what to expect etc.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

That is an interesting question, I never really thought about it. I am pretty laid back about my PG, I don't drink , I avoid artificial sweeteners and ultra processed food, but I do have turkey sandwiches all the time ( I do make sure to buy quality meat from sources I trust).

I think for me, it's just how I am, I have a "suck it up nature" when it comes to sickness (not saying others should, just what I say to myself). It has bitten me in the butt before because by the time I decide I am sick enough to see a DR. I am REALLY sick. I think I take the twinges and oddities of PG the same way. If I'm not cramping a lot and bleeding then things are probably OK. I did have bleeding in the being of my pregnancy and it scared me, so I took it easy for the weekend and saw my Dr on Monday.

I noticed more things in the first trimester and remember being a little more anxious, but I would just remind myself that my body was designed to have to make a healthy baby. If people think that is careless, that is their issue. I know how my body reacts to stress (I bled heavily for 3 days straight in college, to the pt. where I couldn't walk, the diagnosis was it was a reaction to stress), I think I would be doing far more damage by freaking out over every change I see (or don't see!) in my body. This is how I have modified my life because of life experience. Everyone has his/her own experiences, reasons and behavior modifications - I think looking down on anyone for reacting differently is pretty close-minded.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Another way I see this is...

Do you (in general you) play the lottery ever? If you do, you obviously you think you have a chance of winning. Well I play too, I do believe I have a chance of winning. But on that same note, I also believe I have a chance of being that ONE in the "bad" lotteries in life.

So I just see myself as realistic, not necessarily pessimistic or optimistic. That's how I sum it up in my head anyway.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I was TOTALLY laid back about this pregnancy until I found out about my shortening cervix. Now I am a neurotic mess.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

I am really laid back, and yes, I def feel people look down at that. I went to a shower a few weeks ago and i had a coke and the 3 other prgnant woman at the table were in such shock that I was drinking that. I also had a med rare steak and i could feel the daggers from across the table. On the same note, I am very lax with my kids, dh is always insiting the kids are sick, and i never believe it until a Dr. tells me so.... and than even then....

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Posted by Snickers

I was TOTALLY laid back about this pregnancy until I found out about my shortening cervix. Now I am a neurotic mess.

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"

Re: Question for those that consider themselves "laid back"