Congrats on creating an Earthling.
Just for the record, it wasn't anyone I knew....
For me, these were conservative recommendations based on a previous miscarriage.
We know that exercise has benefits in pregnancy but there is also some research to suggest a link between heavy exercise and a higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
Honestly, I see it this way - for at least the critical first trimester, I don't think the average woman will experience any harm from avoiding the gym and sticking to daily walking. I do, however, see the potential for harm from exercise beyond that b/c it's hard to gauge what's intense or too much for each individual. But here again, I'm only giving my personal opinion. Miscarriages are so devastating and physically painful, so for me it was an easy decision, especially given that I'm someone who usually works out quite hard (cardio and weights).
On top of that, I've had severe morning sickness for the entire pregnancy, so anything beyond walking hasn't really been an option for that reason too.
One thing to definitely be avoiding are saunas and hot tubs as they can increase the body temperature. A high fever in the first trimester is also linked to an increased risk of neural tube defects.
Edit/update: To anyone planning a pregnancy, please do start your prenatal vitamins well in advance of conception! The problem with the folic acid bit is that by the time many women find out they're pregnant, the neural tube has already closed. There are still other benefits to folic acid for the remainder of the pregnancy but this is a critical one.
First of all, i hope it wasn't over in seconds!!!
I would like to think that those kinds of decisions are made by BOTH parties not only one, or is it an immaculate conception or do you not know who the father is?? Does the father not have a say in these matters?? Or does he live back in the UK?
Anyhow, so much to take in and not sure where to start as this is my first and I am still in a relatively new to the country (8 months here).
You have only been here 8 months and a senior member, Wow, do you live on this site?
Yes the father is fully aware. Pleased and shocked in that order
I have a couple of labs so walking is a must. Hikes up the hills and forests ok?
Hmmm yes I know who e father is thanks. And it's a joint decision but EF is a great info source as I have relied in it whilst being here. People on here have also welcomed giving out advice. Father is here and Swiss. Just because it was unplanned doesn't mean the father has no say.
trailing spouse...
Sorry, i didn't mean to be harsh, it just sounded like it was a lone decision in ur original post... So Congrats!!
Seeing that the father is swiss and lives here, would he be willing to move to the UK too? I'd say stay where the father is, or is willing to go, so the kid will have both parents!
We both moved here from the UK. He's Travelled a lot and actually grew up in OZ. I think for him he's worried about not understand the system here as well I.e. medical, schooling. He's keen for our kids to learn English correctly but is aware of the cost of private schooling
Comparing that to the UK obviously the UK is cheaper.
Congrats, Darkhorse and 'Mr.' Darkhorse!
What an exciting time for you. It's still early yet, and the best thing I can advise is to relax, eat healthily, listen to what your body tells you to eat, and exercise at a similar level to what you've been used to. If you haven't lifted a finger in your life and you decide to run marithons during your pregnancy, it will be a bad shock to your system. I carried on cycling and hiking up mountains gradually decreasing intensity in to my 8th month. When I was heavily pregnant I stuck to gentle walks.
Your body will tell you what is enough and when. Just enjoy the truly amazing experience that it is .
As for vitamins and stuff... I'm not convinced. Your body regulates its vitamin intake depending on its needs. I took vitamins for a week then stopped. All I did was: Eat a rainbow - fruits vege etc (Vitamins!!!!) Overdose on green veges (folic acid + iron) Eat lean meat (Iron and protein) Drink milk and eat joghurt (protein) Eat fructose (fruit sugars) not sucrose (refined sugars) Healthy carbs - bread, rice, pasta... Don't beat yourself up if you drink a glass (100mls) of wine or beer with dinner once in a blue moon. (Your body will tell you if it's not right. Mine did - I couldn't stand the smell of it. The time may come when all you want to eat is canned tuna, rice and fruit, and that's OK, too. Everything will come back to normal in good time.
Good luck, relax and have fun.
Puddy
I guess my next question is, does anyone used or know of a gynae in Pfaeffikon, zh or uster area? They need to be English speaking and preferably female.
Thanks.
Plenty of time for that though- absolutely no reason why little one cannot grow up speaking English and home and German at school later. Being bi-lingual is a great advantage and asset. A child growing up here will have no problem with the public school system- it is only difficult for those arriving at a later stage, say after age 9ish.
Geeeeeeeeeeee! I wondering ,if 9 month is enough time to follow all the advisee you getting
LOL - conflicting advice is the bane of all new mums to be and mums.
After months and months I finally blew my top and just sailed on instinct! Much better
I agree with this totally, both my girls speak English at home and the oldest who is in 2nd year kindergarten almost perfect Swiss German/German
I absolutely love most of your recommendations for healthy eating. But whilst you may not be convinced, there's not much debate in the medical community around folic acid supplementation. Heaps of studies support that there is a significantly lower risk of a baby with neural tube defects where it's supplemented. In fact, studies that looked at women who started supplementation prior to becoming pregnant showed an even greater benefit. There are also many other studies linking folic acid supplementation to other positive effects.
I'm all for eating a varied, healthy diet as this helps you get the most nutrients possible. But in the case of folic acid, I strongly encourage any woman who wants to become pregnant or has just found out she is pregnant, to start supplementation right away.
To also add though - in line with your excellent food recs, don't use a broad spectrum prenatal vitamin as a replacement for a healthy diet. And I fully agree you should listen to your body. But listen to your doctor too! ;p
Just bough 3 months of Folic Acid from the drogerie for 29 chufs. Found a different brand in coop with 600 mg vs 400mg of Folic but it also has b vitamins etc for only 12 chufs.
Not sure if I should have the combo or just Folic now.
Congratulations!! Switzerland is a very good place to raise kids and the medical care you will get is too, no worries here.
That's the Swiss way of reacting to early pregnancy news. Almost my whole family reacted like this when I told them about my first pregnancy when I was about 4 weeks pregnant. The general response was: "Don't get too excited before the first 12 weeks are over." As if it would hurt any less to lose a baby if before the loss you hadn't been excited Always hated that. As a consequence, with the second baby we did not tell anybody until they guessed it anyway...
Congratulations!
As you can see, pregnancy is just the beginning of a long long journey into the "I know best, no I know best" world. Everyone has an opinion and is convinced it's their way or the high way. Figure out what your high way is, keep an open mind and do your thing
Congratulations darkhorsedrea! I am in the same boat, 14 weeks pregnant and through fear of the unknown I opted to go back to the UK to get my initial appointments and scan. I now know that I am expecting twins and need to bite the bullet and put my faith in the Swiss healthcare. Can anyone recommend an english speaking gynae in Basel?
So far the first trimester has been good for me, no issues apart from stretching pains....I'm getting pretty big quicker than I thought! I hope you are doing well. My advice would be to get some crackers or breakfast bars for munching on if you feel any sickness coming on! I'm addicted!
Seems there are many pregnant women on the forums right now! With all the physical and emotional changes we are experiencing, here's what some lovely men have to say to us.
Congrats!!!! Well I'm trying to find an English speaking gynae too. My sister ironically is also expecting her first nd she's about 26 weeks. I keep asking her for advice. But know I need to find someone here. Will call on Monday for my initial 'I'm pregnant ' appointment and go from there.