1. You’re no more likely to get salmonella/mercury poisoning/Lyme disease now than you were three months ago. Don’t deprive yourself of the occasional Subway or your favourite clean, reputable sushi bar just because some news story said it’ll kill you. It won’t. You would literally have to eat a pound of salmon every day for months to have a serious mercury issue.
2. Give in to your cravings, unless they’re for stupid things like dirt, ashes, or laundry detergent powder. (Those are signs of serious nutritional deficiencies) One of the most fun days of my pregnancy was the day I just had to have an English Muffin with Lemon Curd. I drove for two hours, and hit four different grocery stores until I could find a jar of lemon curd. Craving ice is a sign of anemia, by the way. I learned that one the hard way.
3. Drink lots of water. The amniotic fluid in your belly replenishes itself every 30 minutes, and you need to make extra blood, too. Just carry a big cup with you all day, and don’t pass a faucet without filling it up. Seriously.
4. Back to the anemia thing: baby spinach salads are a lot easier on your stomach than iron pills, and they taste better, too.
5. Those electronic “Fetal Sounds” monitors don’t work. I tried three different ones, and so did several other mamas I know (we passed them around the class). Don’t waste your money.
6. Just buy yourself 7 copies of a shirt that says “Yes, I’m pregnant. The baby’s due in August. We’re not finding out the gender. No you may not touch my belly”. Wear it every day. Carry a whiffle-ball bat for bludgeoning persistent annoying strangers.