How Long Until You Changed Your Life Style

I stopped drinking and started taking prenatal vitamins when I started trying to get pregnant. I started limiting my caffeine when I found out I was pregnant. I remained active throughout my entire pregnancies (working, exercising etc), and did not limit any activities that risked tripping or falling. An inactive lifestyle is more harmful than a trip or a fall.

Never really except for not drinking and taking prenatal vitamins.

I consumed a little caffeine, even had an occasional glass of wine in the third trimester, worked out until the last week, walked a lot throughout and ate the way I usually do.

I gave up caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco when I decided to carry the pregnancy.
I didn't give up physical activity unless I was simply unable to do it. I played volleyball until I got too big to be able to set the ball.
I worked in an animal hospital, doing everything except taking x-rays until the day before I went into labor.
I didn't change my diet unless a certain food aggravated my morning sickness.

I was actually on the pill and wasn't expecting to get pregnant, but the day I found out from a doctor I was pregnant (6 weeks along), I changed radically: from 3 cokes a day to like 2 a week, got a second job, started eating very healthy, started following the what to expect book and attending every class I found, started putting money into a 529 for his college (oddly enough, my husband started a college savings plan for a child 2 weeks before we found out we were pregnant), no cold medicines or whatever (I almost never take medicine anyway), cut out all alcohol, drank a lot more water, changed out the CDs in my car and stopped playing some types of music that I realized stirred me up and got my adrenaline going and started playing happier music and more classical music to help me stay calm (I was a serious "road rager" back in the day but felt I didn't want my baby to feel my negative emotions and just changed how I approached things). I just kinda mellowed out, started enjoying everything, learned how to control my temper, joined a aquafit class so I could maintain exercise throughout the pregnancy, etc. My husband, mom, and friends will all tell you that I walked into the doctor's office in March 2006 and out the doctor's office a different person. I went and got a 2nd job on my way home from the doctor, and by the end of the week all the other listed changes were in affect. Husband was shocked at how "pregnant happy" I was. A lot of that ended up being changes I just maintained once I knew I actually could (for years I'd say I couldn't help it or whatever, but realized that wasn't true, I just didn't deem it necessary to change until I had a wee baby to change for). I lived my normal life and didn't think about falling though (?) and not sure why one would unless one was already accident prone, generally speaking. I didn't ride horses I suppose (ha), and I didn't climb ladders, but that's the extent of falling concerns. I did iron my belly though once....there's an unexpected accident that could happen: I wasn't used to my belly being so "out there" and I was half asleep on autopilot and while ironing, I went over my newly "out there" belly and gave myself a little scar. The good news was that my husband witnessed it, and after we both laughed about it, he took over the ironing duties on his own. I never asked that of him, but I think it amused him to do so. I wasn't going to argue!

When I got that pukey feeling in my first trimester, I naturally wanted to change how I was eating. When I had gestational diabetes in my third trimester, I educated myself and changed my diet further, for the better.

Stopped caffeine right away; switched to a water-processed decaf which tasted just as good. A little more expensive, but my baby was worth it!

When I fell off the curb in my clogs around four months along, started wearing flat-soled shoes. Didn't stop walking, however.

I didn't consciously change my lifestyle when I was pregnant. I wasn't a coffee drinker at that time (yet), and anything with caffeine (soda or chocolate, for example) made me feel ill--I could tell by the taste if there was caffeine in something. I didn't eat or drink much of those things due to the taste and aftertaste of them.

I was very nauseous during both my pregnancies, so the idea of working out/exercise was absurd to me. I worked out a lot before that, but during? I was doing good to get a shower every day.

I don't really remember NOT doing anything due to worrying about falling or tripping, though.

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Oh.. hee hee.. Yeah.. I stopped having the occasional glass of wine (or two) with dinner. I wasn't someone who was out partying every weekend before the pregnancies, so I forgot to mention that. But yes, I stopped drinking wine (or any other alcohol) during pregnancy. But really, like a few other things, it just didn't appeal to me while I was so nauseous, so it wasn't like it took a lot of effort or self-control or thought.

A year before we tried for a baby, I me with a Dr. to go over all I should be doing. I took folate, prenatal vitamins, etc. I didn't change anything beyond that; never took bad risks. Never had soda,coffee, etc. All healthy foods, too.

Of course, any damage you did to yourself affects the baby. Doesn't matter if you were age 6 and drinking soda, or 16 and breathed in exhaust. It leaves its mark. You try to minimize risk as much as possible.

I was careful about falls and such from day one for the baby, though.

Started things before I was actually pregnant to be healthier to get pregnant. Vitamens, not drinking alcohol, etc.

Gave up caffeine when found out I was pregnant...that was hard and back in the day where they limited it to one cup of a coffee a WEEK!!

I taught school and my friends that worked with me were more concerned about my shoes than I was...so I started wearing better shoes to make them happy...flat soles good for standing and walking.

I didn't need to change any activities (none of mine was at risk for a trip or a fall) but as an art teacher/artist I stopped using certain paints with heavy metals in my personal painting when we started trying.

I wasn't a big drinker, nor did I drink coffee or much with caffeine in it, but I stopped when we decided to start trying. As for tripping or falling -- I never really worried about any of that.

I used to drink up to 3 soda's per day. I stopped drinking coffee as soon as I found out I was pregnant.

One day when I was about 4 months pregnant, I took a morning sip of soda and it came right back up. It was so unexpected it came out of my nose. That was the end!

As for activities, I never quit until the las week. I photographed a wedding at 8 months pregnant. I took my cousin and had her hold the chair while I climbed up there to take my shot.

Toward the end I was losing fluid and they couldn't figure out why. They asked how much exercise I was getting and I told them I walked to and from the parking lot and on all 3 breaks. They told me to stop or I had to go on bed rest. I stopped and had a scheduled delivery, however, was already in labor.

It is so hot here, you will have to be careful with the heat. Make sure you drink plenty of water, as dehydration can set in so quickly.

Oh, and I refused any and all medications including tylonol during my pregnancy. It was by choice and I am not on any required meds.

About six weeks, when I was so nauseous that I could barely move or eat.

I cut back on my caffeine, instead of 4 sodas a day I went down to 2. I generally try to avoid tripping and falling anyway, but I fell once during my first pregnancy and once during this one so far anyway.

I planned DD so I made changes before she was born. I didn't quit coffee til it made me sick. I only drink a couple of cups a day. If I had not known about DD, I would have stopped when I found out about her. I stopped physical activities when my OB suggested them or when I felt I should (like not boulder climbing with a huge belly that messed up my balance). I didn't go inactive. I traded bike rides for swimming or walks with my DH. I have a friend who continued to dance til her feet got swollen, so she was like 8 mo. along.

I am a drinker, so as soon as I think there might be a chance of being pregnant, I stop drinking. I drink caffeine while pregnant and nursing --with three kids, and I've never had a problem. I keep the amount small -a cup of tea, one soda.

I also increased my iron intake, but save for that, I kept on doing what I normally do. I did stop kickboxing at 17 weeks, though, just becasue we went away for two weeks and I didn't get back into it when we got home. I was feeling dog tired ;-)

We planned ahead, I stayed off the pill for 4 months before we started trying to get pregnant, started the prenatal vitamins and in that time we started her college savings.

During pregnancy, the biggest thing I changed was no alcohol because do enjoy fine wines. I eat in moderation and have always been healthy and active. I did join a prenatal exercise class at the hospital with my OB's permission and I stopped class the week before I was induced on 12/27.

Thanks to the usual good weather we have here, I was out and walking baby within 2 weeks of her birth. She turns 19 this week! Time flies,,,, enjoy it.

Congratulations and Merry Christmas.

Changed dietary habits right away (no alcohol, very little caffeine, started vitamins, etc.) but kept exercising and pretty much doing everything else right up to the end.
I mean, just getting up and walking to the door is a trip/fall risk, right?

As soon as I found out.

Immediately. No smoking, no alcohol. But.... as I was drinking a dozen cups of coffee a day, my doctor thought it might cause more harm to go cold turkey, so I halved it and then tried to decrease it further. And I never did get enough sleep. Both the caffeine and late bedtime had a lot to do with my occupation. Go, go, go. Now I think I would make different choices. Get your rest, now. There will be not as much later on.

Take care!

First child or second child? Big difference!

First child, I cut caffeine and started taking prenatal vitamins before TTC. I don't drink, so that was never an issue. Avoided deli meats and soft cheeses. Worried about diet extensively, eating more fruits and veggies. Continued to exercise until I got big and miserable.

Second child, realized I could still have a child with ADHD despite giving up caffeine, so I had small amounts of caffeine this time around. Still did the prenatal vitamins starting before TTC. Ate some deli meats but avoided soft cheeses. Didn't worry about diet extensively because I was in good health already, but honestly couldn't focus much on diet when I could barely keep down saltines and ginger ale. Exercise? With a young child whose behavior was out of control? Yeah, no time for me, so not an issue.

With both kids, I had no worries about tripping and falling.

with my first I stopped caffeine when I found out I was pregnant. With my 2nd, I had a soda about once a week lol! I do not drink any alcohol, ever. I walked all the time up until the day they were born. My son was a summer baby so I was even swimming in my bikini until he was born. Everything else I just did what I usually do. Nothing different

I stopped with caffeine (and alcohol, meds not safe for pregnancy, etc) when we started trying. The critical part of a pregnancy for development is the first trimester when everything is forming, so avoiding potentially dangerous substances and making sure you are eating healthy from the start is important. As far as tripping and falling? I wouldn't go rock climbing or ice skating but everyday life doesn't change too much.

I exercised, etc. pretty much the same as when I wasn't pregnant, but with modifications, as needed.
Ive always been a big believer in "all things in moderation."
I had an uneventful, healthy pregnancy at 39. 😊

Right away I made sure I didn't take any drugs (like aspirin or advil) that were not good for the baby. I don't drink alcohol so that wasn't a problem. I stopped eating sushi for the first 6 months I was pregnant. I started eating sushi again at the end of my pregnancy as long as I was in a quality restaurant. I never gave up caffeine but I cut down... I drank one can of Coke every day. And I would walk for exercise. The baby came out fine.

I changed my diet, stopped taking migraine meds, etc, when I found out I was pregnant. I stopped using stairs when I could no longer see my feet! I also avoided walking any distance in the AZ summer heat at around 6 months, but kept walking as much as possible in air conditioning (like mall laps :) ).

immediately stopped with caffeine and alcohol. Let my body tell me when to slow down on the rest. Kept up a very intense exercise program until I was so nauseated I cancelled my gym membership (I know i get sick the whole time while pregnant).

Before I got pregnant, I was limiting my intakes. I still drank alcohol (didn't want it more than occasionally, and then it was just wine. I would taste other things.) and coffee (no more than one cup per day). I didn't concern myself with tripping and falling. I played that by ear, and my equilibrium stayed intact. My husband always helped me out of the tub, though, as a precaution.