The Sarcastic Journalist is a freelance writer and mother of two living near Houston, Texas. She has a degree in journalism and an addiction to magazines. She is hoping never to experience the "joy" of pregnancy again. You can find much more of her home-grown snark at: shenuts.com
In addition to recounting 40 not-so-glowing but hilarious weeks of her pregnancy for our pregnancy calendar the Sarcastic Journalist used her sarcasm super-powers to help make our new edgy sarcastic pregnancy tickers. Check 'em out!
Week 19 : Decaf THIS!
Once I started “showing” a little baby belly, there were certain things, such as downing a pitcher of beer, skateboarding and pole vaulting, that I decided to stop doing in public.
You see, many people view that belly as a way to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. I don’t know how many times I walked into a coffee shop only for them to ask me if I wanted my drink “decaf.”
Uh, no. If I wanted my drink without the “good stuff” in it, I would have told you so. Also, why are you looking at me strange? What? You don’t allow cigar smoking inside Starbucks? Okay, fine.
All kidding aside, it really chaps my hide when I see people telling a pregnant woman what to do. Even better is when the advice is coming from someone who has never been pregnant.
I know that the 16-year-old making my mocha thinks that all caffeine is bad, but it isn’t. That is because she hasn’t studied up on what is okay during pregnancy.
Instead, she listens to what she has heard and assumes that any woman that dare drink a cup of joe that isn’t decaf is going to have a five-headed baby.
Even if the baby does have five heads, I’ll make sure to teach those heads not to give unsolicited advice to pregnant women.
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OMG!!! This girl doesn't need kids at all. I literally mean girl too because no grown woman in her right mind would talk like that!
Comment on 23rd Aug '06 @ 2:45 pm
desirae',
i think you might do to remember that she's called the sarcastic journalist. the whole point is that she's tired of all those nosy alarmist types having heart attacks if she so much as walks near a starbucks. and she's right, one cup of coffee does not a birth defect make.
Comment on 1st Sep '06 @ 9:03 amThis comment is 1
I think she is right.....im spanish and in my country we drink cofee every afternoon.....my mother has 4 children and well...we all came out more than fine.....yes there are stuff we need to take care of and know when to take a break with the caffeine...but some cofee here...cofee there won't do damage
Comment on 11th Sep '06 @ 8:06 amThis comment is 1
Basically, if you don't like the humor or sacrasm behind it, then it sounds like you really haven't experienced pregnancy yourself.
Comment on 16th Sep '06 @ 9:04 amThis comment is 1
This was so damn funny! I have the 'pregnancy police' at my job and none of them have EVER been pregnant. But they love to tell me what to do, eat and how to act. This columnist hit the nail right on the head.
Comment on 26th Sep '06 @ 10:24 amThis comment is 1
READING THESE COLUMNS REALLY MAKES ME FEEL AT EASE ABOUT THE WHOLE PREGNANCY THING AND ME NOT BEING ALONE WITH HOW I FEEL...MY HOSPITAL MADE ME AN EXPECTATIONS BOOK AS MANY HOSPITALS DO AND WITH QUITTING SMOKING IT SAID TO CUT DOWN TO AT LEAST 10 PER DAY...THAT SEEMED LIKE A LOT TO ME SO I ASKED MY DOCTOR AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE TO SMOKE AS LONG AS IM CUTTING DOWN,BUT EVERYTIME I EVEN LOOK AT A CIGARETTE I HAVE 50 PEOPLE TELLING ME IM GONA HAVE A 1LB BABY..AND YES WITH LIKE 5HEADS OR MAYBE 10 HANDS.WHO KNOWS AND ALL FROM PEOPLE WHO DONT HAVE KIDS!
Comment on 1st Oct '06 @ 11:17 amThis comment is 1
Yes this article is classic. Love the humor there....I also work with pregnancy guru's who love to tell you what to do and eat and this and that...it's horrible. I laughed so hard at this. Because believe it or not at least 2-3 times a week I stop and have one cup...at least I'm not drinkin' beer right? :)
Comment on 10th Oct '06 @ 3:48 pmThis comment is 1
OMG! This is too funny. I get told constantly how bad coke is for me. I'm having half of one can a day to keep the headaches away. But do I know how much caffine is in there? Yes I do, in each can there is 31 mg of caffine. You're allowed up to 300 mg of caffine a day without doing harm to your baby. Thats two cups of coffee. I'm having approximately 15 mg. Now come on? Is that really going to hurt the baby? I don't think so!
Comment on 18th Oct '06 @ 7:02 pmThis comment is 1
i love this... i totally agree people seem to know everything about u just by looking at your lil baby bump. like u shouldn't wear that..or eat this... or oh honey your having a boy because yadda yadda ... actually no its a girl! i agree people have sooooo many myths its creepy
Comment on 19th Oct '06 @ 9:12 pmThis comment is 1
I totally agree. If one more person looks at me funny when I drink some coffee or soda, I will shoot them. I work 12 hr days I need the caffine. And if I want to wear heels I'll wear heels, please don't tell me I should wear flats just because you think my feet should be swollen. There not. I promise.
Comment on 25th Oct '06 @ 12:34 pmThis comment is 1
I know the feeling!! Unwanted advice really peeves me! I dont know how many times I've been asked whether I would like a boy or a girl, only to state my preferance and hear a matter-of-fact (never been pregnant) person tell me back "Well it shouldnt matter to you as long as its healthy". Well Duh! Isnt that a given!??
Comment on 26th Oct '06 @ 8:30 pmThis comment is 1
I LOVE IT!! but what I hate more then anything is the "mother-in-law who knows it all" advice! whose kids hate her! oh yeah thats my favorite! let me tell you!
its like get off my back and let me do what I am doing.. it been 20 yrs since you had a kid, things have changed!!
Comment on 7th Nov '06 @ 2:23 pmThis comment is 1
I LOVE this woman! She always says EXACTLY what I'm feeling or thinking, but I'm too polite to say. I've got the pregger Nazis at home and work! The worst part of it is when it's people who haven't had a baby or men, who will NEVER have a baby cuz they can't. I have found that men are worse than women on trying to tell me everything I should or shouldn't do. Maybe it's in their nature to be protective, but it's ridiculous! When I want a tuna or turkey sandwich and a Diet Pepsi or an iced tea then leave me alone! I don't do it all the time and my midwife and two previous obgyn's have said it was okay. Not to mention I'm on baby number three so I DO know what I'm doing and don't go telling me I can't have a bite of ice cream or cheesecake occasionally while you're scarfing down donuts and cookies on a daily basis while telling me to watch my weight gain. I seriously hate when people do that to me. Especially when I exercise daily and they don't.
Comment on 27th Nov '06 @ 5:40 pmThis comment is 1
This was pretty funny. Seriously, I have to hide the fact that I haven't completely quit smoking because I am afraid of what people will think of my parenting skills. I mean I quit 100% (except the final month) with my last one...this one was not as easy. I had gotten down to 4 a day and haven't been able to get below that...but i never quit trying to quit though.
Comment on 12th Dec '06 @ 12:02 pmThis comment is 1
I used to smoke and drink coffee all the time when I was pregnant with my first child. All anyone could do was give me grief about it. Well Im usually a really laid back person but when you are working a double shift dealing with the public ALL DAY LONG at some point you snap. This is how I lost my job. I was outside on a smoke break drinking my coffee minding my own business when 2 employees and some stranger run up to me and TAKE THE CIG OUT OF MY HAND and the proceed to POUR OUT MY COFFEE. Now if there is one thing you dont do to a pregnant girl its take something she craves and boy did they get an ear full. My manager was coming outside just as I started to scream. "Do you idiots even know what you are talking about? Have you ever been pregnant? Do you know what its like? Well let me tell you something that I was told from the guy with the actual license to tell me what to do when I am pregnant. He said it is BAD to quit cold turkey when you are a consistent smoker because the baby is dependent on the nicotene because you are and caffeine doesnt mean anything so you can take your fake phd's and shove em where the sun dont shine." That was funny because thats kinda what I was told about my job. Horomones can kill a person.
Comment on 14th Dec '06 @ 8:46 amThis comment is 1
I totally agree with this article. We can find so many people that act as if they have a degree of a doctor or something. They feel as if they are the most experience out there and we have no clue what we are doing. Regardless of what your intentions are, just keep them to yourself specially if you have never been thru this experience.
Comment on 16th Dec '06 @ 10:53 amThis comment is 1
Nicely said.
Comment on 22nd Dec '06 @ 11:09 amThis comment is 1
This is so true! I had a guy at my work tell me I should get rid of my cat. When I asked why he told me that it would lay on my baby's face and suffocate it! I cracked up.
People need to read more before they start just repeating what they've heard.
Comment on 22nd Dec '06 @ 2:05 pmThis comment is 1
WOW! I love it! For the first time in months I drank a can of coke and I got preached to! This lady has no kids! This is my second! My doctor said 300mg a day max....I drank one can of coke! Mad yes, but damn! You go girl!
Comment on 27th Dec '06 @ 9:29 amThis comment is 1
This article is too funny...... with my first pregnancy I drank soda all of the time. My son is now 4 1/2 years old and still hates soda. :) And now with this pregnancy a cup of coffee and a soda a day will not hurt this one either. And the doctor actually says it better to just cut back than to try and take yourself and the baby off of caffine cold turkey. So, Ladies drink it up!
Comment on 1st Jan '07 @ 1:28 pmThis comment is 1
being spanish, the coffee thing is big! Its Cafe'con leche (a mug of milk with a quater of a cup of coffee)every morning! Its been this way for hundreds of years, And I'll be damned if ends with me! For the most part I stick to reen tea or iced tea during the day to cut back. The last article I read on being preggers and drinking coffee listed it at a max of 4 6oz. cups of coffee a day! so my baby will be fine.. probably better because I quite nothing, just cut down on the soda alittle.
Another thing that is okay it is A (as in ONE,1) glass of wine in the last trimester is fine! and in some familial cases has been known to kick start a delayed due date!!!lol, have fun!
Comment on 5th Jan '07 @ 8:16 amThis comment is 1
I drank DIET COKE and smoked (without cutting back) and my daughter still came out 9 pounds!! I think that if I had of cut back on the pop and smokes she would have killed me! She is 5 years old now, does not like pop at all and perfectly healthy.
Comment on 13th Jan '07 @ 11:53 amThis comment is 1
I think I've done most of the Pregnancy-Nazi no-no's (that doctors in other coutries contradict, by the way): eat raw fish, unpasteurised cheeses, coffee, hot chili. How's that worse than a 9-month pig-out at Baskin Robbins like other moms-to-be? Luckily, no-one's even looked at me cross-eyed for doing it yet!
Comment on 16th Jan '07 @ 1:57 pmThis comment is 1
Finally other pregnate women who've not given everything they love up.I appreciated the article,and comments from other moms to be. This is child number 2 for me,and alot more stress this go around for me. I gave up "leaded"{totally caffinated}coffee and smokes.that was soooo hard to do and yes,I will occasionaly have one, I know Im a sinner.lol.Id rather have the calming mental effect of the cigarette,than the emotional upheaval that has pushed me to smoking one. I did not give up Cokes.I drink a ton of water anyway and Since I gave up Mai tai's and beer for my child,I did not give up regular Coke. Thanks to all you other "bad mothers" out there, Im glad Im not alone and dont feel quite so bad.Thank you!
Comment on 16th Jan '07 @ 8:46 pmThis comment is 1
wow. I think on some level she is right, because it is your child, and you are probably going to be doing whatever you can to make sure it is born healthy, so you dont need someone else to tell you that you need to protect your own child. HOWEVER, some people know more then you know, yea, believe it or not you are not "all knowing" and sometimes people have more insight on certain things because they studied it or read an article on it or something, and I for one would really appreciate any additional information that might help me save my childs life or prevent certain things from happening to my baby. i think in the end you have to get over yourself and your annoyance with these people, and think about your baby and not your pride, think about how maybe something these people say might help your baby out, and obviously their intentions are only the best.
Comment on 18th Jan '07 @ 8:50 amThis comment is 1
OMG I think I have found my 'lost twin'!!!
Where are you woman and what are you doing INSIDE MY HEAD?? Come to think of it, if you were nearby you could save me even having to open my mouth, you could just continue to read my mind and speak on my behalf!
WOOHOO I LOVE YA!
K
Comment on 27th Jan '07 @ 6:07 pmThis comment is 1
Hallelujah!
Comment on 29th Jan '07 @ 6:31 amThis comment is 1
I totally agree with her one cup of coffee a day wont cause harm i have a cup everyday now that i am on my second pregnancy I am more relaxed but my first pregnancy wouldnt dare I was way to parniod from horrow stories people told me
Comment on 5th Feb '07 @ 3:52 pmThis comment is 1
that is totally true! i hate people telling me what to do when i already know what is right for me and my lil baby. for sure i am the one who wants the best for the baby!!!!!!!!!
Comment on 6th Feb '07 @ 8:37 amThis comment is 1
My sister and people who don't even know me yell at me! I am so sick of people telling me what is right and wrong. My friends included. My one "friend" kicked me out of her wedding because of the pregnancy (I would have been 5 months at the time) and I'm not showing yet. I was on the phone with my other friends and told them that I wouldn't be home because I was going to the pub. They both screamed at yelled at me like I was a little kid! I said the pub has food too ya know! I haven't had a drink since I've been preggo and I barely drank before them. I don't even want to be around my friends anymore it's that bad!
Comment on 7th Feb '07 @ 3:14 pmThis comment is 1
i loved it and thought it was funny. personally, i drink a bit of coffee and am confident that it is fine. i also feel "judged" etc. i quit smoking and drinking to have this baby! (it WAS hard for me) and if i feel like i'm gonna lose it unless i take a drag from your cig...please just give it to me. if you think the occational coffee or drag of a smoke is going to seriously harm the baby you should study up a little yourself!
Comment on 9th Feb '07 @ 3:06 pmThis comment is 1
I have people saying don't eat CHILLI FOODS your baby will cry all night, some say EAT CHILLI FOODS it will make your baby smart.
My boss's sister (34 ,no baby)i just hate the way SHE KNOWS ALL ABOUT PREGNANCY, don't drink coke, how do you sleep at night? no you shouldn't sleep like that.And those who just come up to you and say "you're having a girl" or "you're having a boy"
And hey it's worse if you get such comments from your workplace my boss "knows everything about pregnancy, just because HIS wife just had a baby.
I shouldn't wear this or that. I hate it.
Comment on 12th Feb '07 @ 12:44 amThis comment is 1
as a pregnant barista at starbucks, i am definately guitly of offering the "decaf". sorry, but the caffene gives me contractions and cramps, why would i wish the same for you?
and to all preggos who smoke, this is me being judgmental here: for shame. i hope you tried to cut back. and i at least hope you smoked outside and changed your shirt when your baby was born. to this day i do not have a sense of smell because my dad smoked around me my whole life. so yeah, i'm a little protective of babies. i mean come on, cigarettes are TOXIC. but caffene in moderation is cool.
peace.
Comment on 20th Feb '07 @ 3:55 amThis comment is 1
I completely agree. I'm 18 weeks pregant, and my friend is 2 weeks pregant. She called to tell me the good news than said she had to go to the store because, she had her one caffine drink of the day... I crave caffine and my baby is just fine only one head so far.
Comment on 23rd Feb '07 @ 2:06 pmThis comment is 1
LMBO, I agree completley, this is hilarious! I am 17, so i got all these little 15 year olds that havent been pregnant telling me how horrible it is that i ate a whole choclate bar, because it has caffine. I just feel like hitting them sometimes. And although i encourage women who choose to breast feed, i am not going to, AND IF ONE MORE PERSON adult or kid either one tells me how i "HAVE" to breast feed or my baby is going to be sick all the time if i dont, i am gonna lay the smack down on them!!
Comment on 24th Feb '07 @ 5:41 pmThis comment is 1
haha yes i completely agree with this! i love how everyone worries...especially people who dont have kids. my mother said i should stay a little better hydrated but my 19 year old friends were worrying about a tuna sandwich. SO ANNOYING!!! desarae you're a retard.
Comment on 24th Feb '07 @ 7:44 pmThis comment is 1
wow...wonderfully said. this is my second pregnancy but first to make it this far... with my first pregnancy i quit smoking cold turkey the day i found out i was pregnant a week and a half later we were in the ER only to leave with the worst of news... so with this pregnany i decided that i would cut back at first then quit simply bc of the rumors that you hear about weight problems and what not..i have yet to stop drinking sodas...but have cut back ALOT!!! I love this article it puts everything out there nicely!!!
Comment on 27th Feb '07 @ 2:56 pmThis comment is 1
this is my first pregnancy and i fully agree with what the publisher is saying...
people that have not been pregnant or have not researched or asked a doctor should not assume things... nicely written!
kuddos!
Comment on 2nd Mar '07 @ 5:55 pmThis comment is 1
Thank you. I always like to ask them.. "How many kids do you have? NONE. Obviously!"
Comment on 5th Mar '07 @ 9:41 amThis comment is 1
thank you. this was great! I LOVE it when people look at me funny because i decided to have a cup of coffee...god forbid. I understand where they're coming from but if they've never been there they shouldn't open their mouths. As far as the smoking goes...I used to smoke a pack a day before i got pregnant...now that same pack will last me a week...and my boyfriend STILL gives me a hard time...which wouldn't bother me so much except that he is a smoker too and should realize how hard it is to quit WITHOUT all the added stress of the hormones!
Comment on 7th Mar '07 @ 3:12 pmThis comment is 1
I thought this was right-on. I too hate nosy people who give unsolicited advice!
Comment on 13th Mar '07 @ 3:02 pmThis comment is 1
People giving advice about what you should or shouldn't do really piss me off too. I have two kids and and pregnant with my third. I work at a gas station and everytime I take a drink of my coffee or pop I have people telling me that caffeine. Oh and here is another one. The other day I ran into this girl that just had a baby girl and she is telling me what will fit my baby and what won't. Just because I am having my first girl doesn't mean I know less than I did when I have either of my boys.
Comment on 15th Mar '07 @ 5:57 pmThis comment is 1
I thought this was too funny! It was on point, too. I have two female coworkers who have had 1 child each tell me that I cannot drink Coke. I'm like "hello? you've had a kid how r u gonna tell me I cant have a coke!"
My own personal decision was to stop smoking when I found out I was pregnant. I was a light smoker so that helped me to quit --for the time being anyway. lol
My friend's mom fussed at me the other day for drinking a large Mt Dew from this fast food restaurant. She was like "amy, do you want your lil baby to come out nervous?"
I'm sure I haven't heard the end of it. Because more 'suggestions' will be on the way once I have the baby... wowerz lol
Comment on 16th Mar '07 @ 12:14 pmThis comment is 1
I loved this..i'm hardly even showing so i know it'll get worse, but anytime i say i'm pregnant they say the usual congrats then they have to warn me about the dangers of hair coloring (my hair is blue).
Oh and my Grandmother telling me what to(and what not to) eat.
My favorite is when a man tries to give me advice...
Needless to say i love the article :)
Comment on 19th Mar '07 @ 9:25 pmThis comment is 1
i completly agree my brother is the worst i want to knock him out he tries to get my husband to nag me, but hes so good he won't but its annoying to want a damn pepsi once in awhile and my brother has a fit but hes not pregnant and its not his baby also i agree with nicole up at like #13 about motherinlaws who know everything my god is that annoying or what
Comment on 28th Mar '07 @ 9:24 amThis comment is 1
Ok, here is my deal. I am a nurse at a Dr.s office, and EVERYONE keeps telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing. No coffee, no cokes, no tea. I am really tird of hearing it, and it is never the Dr. telling me not to, he always just looks and laughs when I roll my eyes at everyone. I am on my 2nd baby, and I think I know my body better than anyone else. I have been getting really bad headaches since about my 16th week, and caffine is proven to help with headaches, so I will do what I please, when I please. I LMAO when I read the insert, b/c I think this is something all pregnant women have to deal with.(whether it is your first of fifth)
Comment on 28th Mar '07 @ 11:18 amThis comment is 1
I loved this. I HATE when people tell me what to do or not to do and look at me weird when I smoke (which I have seriously cut back on and my first DD was 9 lbs and totally healthy) or drink coke. It's my life my baby I'm not doing anything without asking my DR first anyway and he's been doing this for over 30 years. Loved it!!!!!
Comment on 29th Mar '07 @ 5:08 pmThis comment is 1
Honey! You're so right I laughed the whole way through the article! I think that everyday and people think I'M crazy...please! It's the truth! Leave us "Prego's" alone and let us listen to the only one who really knows anything about our baby....THE DOCTOR! Old women and guys who wish they knew can keep their two cents to theirselves for real. Thanks for speaking out on my behalf, I sure appreciate it!
Comment on 1st Apr '07 @ 8:50 amThis comment is 1
i really feel this article. ive enver been a caffeine buff but whenever someone sees me eating a snickers bar or drinking a soda, they want to tell me that my diet isnt good for the baby, like they see how they eat at home. its kinda obvious that either thyve never been pregnant or they had an easy one, otherwise theyd know, when you crave something NOTHING else will fill you...plus how would they feel if i walked around telling them THEY shouldnt be eating sweets?
Comment on 2nd Apr '07 @ 11:51 pmThis comment is 1
Everybody has an opinion of what you need to do or not do when pregnant. Best thing I did was take what I wanted and leave the rest.
Comment on 3rd Apr '07 @ 10:23 amThis comment is 1
Loved it! So true... where's my Latte???
Comment on 7th Apr '07 @ 4:29 pmThis comment is 1
YES!YES!YES!!!!! Finally, someone from starbucks always asks me if i want it decaf, when i am prego. This is my 4th pregnancy, and it happens alllllll the time. They have even gone as fas as to ask...are you sure? I mean who are they??? It's not likei'm ordering a fifth of jack daniels. Come one people. My kids are more than healthy i drank at least 2-3 cups of regular coffee per day with ALL of them. LAY OFF, and Learn about the actual effects of caffeine on a unborn fetus. Thanks Kristi
Comment on 12th Apr '07 @ 12:37 pmThis comment is 1
I really appreciate this article, this is my third pregnancy and my one indulgence is a cup of coffee a day i tried stopping at first and the headaches were horrible and Tylenol does not help. I've always suffered from chronic headaches and Excedrin is the only thing that helps but since im pregnant im not taking it so my morning coffee is the only thing i have help to try to ward off the headaches, but i have the opposite in unwanted advice since i work part time as a Bartender (on weeknights when its not that smokey) everybody wants to tell me how ok it is to drink and smoke while im pregnant and that im being over cautious not to so really people on every end of the spectrum feel like they know whats best but i will only ever trust my doctor
Comment on 18th Apr '07 @ 1:50 amThis comment is 1
Hahahaha, this is great. I also have gotten unwanted advice or looks from people when i try to drink a soda instead of "milk or water". I stopped drinking coffee and smoking my cigarettes..yes i gave up my daily cup of coffee and my cigarette in the morning, but i did it out of love! no..honestly..it made me horribly nauseated! hahah. Thats when i knew, i was pregnant, I am 19 weeks today and i enjoyed this article very much! Makes me feel better knowing alot of pregnant women get unwanted advice like myself. Goodluck to all you ladies!
Comment on 21st Apr '07 @ 11:57 pmThis comment is 1
yes lets all have a beer, share a cigg, and then light up some good old marijuana! Mmmm MMmmm good our babies will turn out to be just fine and dandy LOL, I think not. Hold on I gotta go help my pregger friend Shaniqua shoot up some heroin in the bathroom because it's so much fun!
If you're going to be a pregnant Mom, at least take some consideration into mind and not destroy your kid before they come out of the womb????
p.s. I don't think that drinking coffee or soda is bad, as long as you don't guzzle that stuff down. I can't even drink Pepsi anymore bc my fiance bitches at me. ALL I WANT IS A PEPSI! Just one! It's not like it's going to kill me.
Comment on 27th Apr '07 @ 10:39 pmThis comment is 1
I love this article! It has just enough to make me laugh because god knows I have thought the same things, but didnt dare say for fear that someone would call social services to sit in the labor room to take the kid the minute he is born! I love it!!! One cup of caffenine doesnt hurt anyone... and those who are dumb enough to believe every little thing that comes out of everyone's mouth about what to do and what not to do need to get their head out of the sand and into the real world!
Comment on 1st May '07 @ 7:02 amThis comment is 1
yes fully agree with the first artical try feeding your baby in public, even tho i had a shawl over my shoulder and you couldnt see any thing i was still told to use the ladys room!! i simply replyed with a snigger would you eat in the ladys room ? NO then neither will my child and pocked my tounge out and walked off heheh im cheeky.
Comment on 5th May '07 @ 9:02 pmThis comment is 1
So, so true! I was very lucky the first time around and was surrounded by experienced mothers who told me all the things they did with their kids and how healthy they are now. I quit smoking cold turkey but I still drank one beer a week and my daughter came out very healthy and has only gone to the doctor for illness twice in two years. I also drank one cup of coffee a day. This time around I don't crave the beer so I don't drink it, but I still have my cup of coffee a day. My theory is that I gave up a lot of my behaviors for my baby and I am not going to stress over something as innocuous as caffeine. Obviously your baby's health comes first, but that doesn't have to be at the cost of your mental health!
Comment on 7th May '07 @ 11:50 amThis comment is 1
It's also cultural what's "allowed". For instance, in France, they tell you it's okay to drink the occasional glass of wine (read GLASS of wine, not whole bottle). I do have to agree that it irks me to have someone say, "You shouldn't eat that, you're pregnant" or "Should you do that?". Helpful advice is one thing, nosiness and butting in is something totally different.
Comment on 10th May '07 @ 9:34 amThis comment is 1
People shouldn't tell a pregnant woman what to do, I agree completely. It's her body...
But to go off topic for a second, I lost my baby daughter one year ago today to SIDS (where the baby stops breathing and they can't explain to you why it happened) and I had blamed myself because of some of the habits I engaged in..I had smoked during pregnancy, drank almost a pot of coffee a day during the pregnancy, exposed myself to second hand smoke on a daily basis, and even breastfed her while having 7 or 8 beers. On top of that, I had taken Prozac during the last trimester of pregnancy because I have a tendency to be depressed. I'll tell you that I regret all of these things completely (even though the doc says prozac was okay to take) and miss that baby on a daily basis. It has definitely changed my life. With this pregnancy I take nothing except for the occasional cup or two of coffee.
Comment on 10th May '07 @ 4:03 pmThis comment is 1
It is so refreshing to finally hear someone say what everyone of feels about pregnancy at sometime or other. If you aren't feeling it right now, you probably will in a future pregnancy. I wish I could give myself permission to be "snarky" to someone other than my husband.
Comment on 14th May '07 @ 10:40 amThis comment is 1
THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS!!! I am so tired of everyone constantly telling me what to do! "You aren't drinking any alcohol are you?" "What are you doing drinking a soda?" "Are you eating enough vegetables?" Yes, I drink everynight. I am drinking a soda because I want to, and what business of yours is it how many vegetables I eat? I can do whatever I want because guess what, its my pregnancy not yours! I think I am doing a great job at it, and I don't have to explain that to you or anyone. Of course I can't get smart with strangers, aquaintences (sp?), or people I work with, because my hormones are screaming on the inside. I feel a little better now. :)
Comment on 15th May '07 @ 9:34 pmThis comment is 1
Ah thank you! I can so relate! I've always needed some caffeine to wake up and get through the day. It seems everyone at work is on a crusade to get me to cut out caffeine entirely. The girls at work all feel strongly that I'm "harming" the baby with my cup of coffee and/or tea. Telling them to mind their own biz and that I'll do what I want has no effect on them. So I've just learned to drink my coffee in private, away from them if I can help it. Still, whenever I'm drinking anything, even water, one of them will say in a warning tone, "Is there caffeine in that cup, missy??" UGHHH!!!! Of course they all know someone who drank too much caffeine and had an uncontrollable kid - but you know what, I don't!
Comment on 22nd May '07 @ 7:40 amThis comment is 1
This is too funny! I totally agree. I am on kid #3 and I love coffee, and still smoke a cigarette or two. I am proud that I have cut down as much as I have. Some things are addictive and can't be helped completely. I have had people tell me in the past that my baby will be small and unhealthy for drinking soda, coffee, and a smoke here and there. I have 2 very healthy girls, and they were 8lbs and 6.5 lbs. This one is measuring 3 weeks bigger than it is as well. Good luck to all the pregnant women, it's a tough job! Oh yeah, and if it doesn't come from a doctor, ignore the comments!
Comment on 26th May '07 @ 4:43 amThis comment is 1
Good for you! I despise that just as much as you do... Good luck! :)
Comment on 1st Jun '07 @ 3:00 pmThis comment is 1
I couldn't agree more!!!! I can't tell you how many times a day I'm told what I should do, need to do, or shouldn't be doing! And the best part is 85% of the people giving this loving advice have NEVER been pregnant! I'm only 24 so I am the first of most of my friends to have children and all I say to myself to get me through is.... "Is the baby in your belly or mine? If the answer to that changes we will continue this conversation then!" I honestly don't think they realize what they are saying is ANNOUYING and rather rude, but the opposite they think they are helping!
Comment on 10th Jun '07 @ 9:05 pmThis comment is 1
I LOVE THIS WOMAN!! How sick I am of all the unsolicited, unwanted and unneeded advice! Don't drink coffee or soda, don't eat lunch meat, don't wear heels, don't walk too much, the list goes on. It's so funny. I really hope I've never done this to anyone before I was pregnant.
Comment on 12th Jun '07 @ 3:19 pmThis comment is 1
You should be ashamed of yourself.Just because your allowed to have a certain amount of something before it starts to do damage to you doesnt mean you should be on the borderline of safe and unsafe.You should appreciate what people tell you.Cause you dont know everything and you might learn something shockingly enough.
Comment on 13th Jun '07 @ 9:35 amThis comment is 1
I know what you mean, chickie! I had a similar lifestyle too until I became pregnant (except I cant skateboard, but love to watch), and know exactly where your coming from with the starring eyes whenever we go out for a coffee.
Comment on 24th Jun '07 @ 8:02 amThis comment is 1
Well i think that is right and wrong. I dont understand why it is so hard to give up coffee or soda when pregnant. I think it is wrong that everyone has to put their two sense in when its not their kid but that is today's society for you.
Comment on 27th Jun '07 @ 2:37 pmThis comment is 1
My name is Nikki and I am an addict... That is of Mt. Dew...before I got pregnant my morning breakfast consisted of a cup of coffee (black) a 20 oz of Mt. Dew and oh about 5 ciggys. Now I can say that I have quit all three totally, but that wasn't easy I slowly cut back from each, course the ciggy's were the easiest part b/c at about 8 or 9 weeks I went out back of my store and took a smoke break only to get sick from the smell and throw up...that was my last ciggy! Now when I smell them I just want to puke! Its wierd though I was a pack a day Marb. Reds kinda girl..Yep the real cowboy killers!
Kudos to S. J. she hit it on the head!
Comment on 28th Jun '07 @ 2:36 pmThis comment is 1
i agree, unless you are going through or have been pregnant keep unwanted advice to yourselves...even then every pregnancy is different.
Comment on 30th Jun '07 @ 4:57 pmThis comment is 1
A-fuckin-MEN girl! People swear they can just walk up to you and interrupt your day with their views on life. Who aked?
Comment on 2nd Jul '07 @ 12:18 amThis comment is 1
OMG!!! Thank you so much for writing this.. I was a heavy smoker before I got pregnant.. and when I found out that I was I cut back alot of course.. but I still crave the nicotine and the caffine from starbucks.. Now I won't feel so bad when I go next month for starbucks.. Thanx
Comment on 3rd Jul '07 @ 3:58 pmThis comment is 1
I think I love you for writing this. I'm barely showing and people are already saying that I should do this and I should do that. Also, people seem to think that all pregnancies are the same. Forgive me for having my own pregnancy symptoms. Geez.
Comment on 3rd Jul '07 @ 7:28 pmThis comment is 1
I totally agree...people drive me crazy telling me what I should and shouldn't do... the way I look at it is.... it's my baby not there's.....I should be able to do what i want to to do....
Comment on 4th Jul '07 @ 8:26 pmThis comment is 1
i live with a caffine nazi. my husband listened to a woman at work with no kids and gets mad if i have one caffinated soda
Comment on 7th Jul '07 @ 12:04 pmThis comment is 1
I agree on some parts especially wen ppl trying to tell u what to do and how to deal with ur pregnancy it gets really annoyin.....but i work at starbucks myself n i'm pregnant too...u also need to understand that they we're jus tryin to help they might not understand but some do...thats all im sayin..b'coz im at register n i would ask if u wanted your drink decaf...theirs nothin wrong with that...
Comment on 13th Jul '07 @ 11:58 amThis comment is 1
This is fantastic!!! It happens to me all the time (I have even gotten the "you are going to have a 3-headed baby" comment when a co-worker saw me having a cup of coffee). I have to just laugh it off because I have done the research and know what is safe and what isn't. Most of the time I kind of enjoy it because it makes me giggle inside and also gives me an opportunity to inform people of the current research. :)
Comment on 18th Jul '07 @ 1:05 pmThis comment is 1
This is great. I had a MAN who isn't married, no children see me eat a pringle and comment on how that couldn't be good for the baby. I told him if my baby came out deformed it would be because commenting on anything I choose to do puts me under stress ,not because I desided to have 5 pringles with my carrots today. The nerve of some people. Before I was pregnant I didn't comment on what they did, why do so many people feel they have the right to say things to me?
Comment on 21st Jul '07 @ 8:52 pmThis comment is 1
I love her humor!
Comment on 25th Jul '07 @ 7:20 amThis comment is 1
The comment that really ticks me off is people who come up and ask you how far along you are and then ask if your pregnant with twins!! Why would you say that to someone who is already emotional? My doctor says I'm normal and I haven't gained a huge amount of weight.... people are just rude!
Comment on 27th Jul '07 @ 7:39 amThis comment is 1
I am so with this girl! Back in the day noone told you not to drink or somke or have coffee and all those babies turned out fine! Geez!
Comment on 31st Jul '07 @ 6:46 pmThis comment is 1
I love this article! It seems to me that people say just about everything is bad for you when your pregnant! I'm glad to know that other people are going through the same thing and its not just me!
Comment on 6th Aug '07 @ 9:52 amThis comment is 1
thank you!!! I'm showing now (this is my first) and i have people i do and don't know giving me unsolicited advice all the time. I just want to scream!!! Have you done this You need to do that Drive me crazy!!! thanks for the article i know how you feel
Comment on 11th Aug '07 @ 9:55 amThis comment is 1
I loved this article THANK YOU!!!! I am about 5 months pregnant and people think the belly is an invation to be rude and think they are justified in coming up to you and telling you thier opinion on what you are doing wrong. It was my birthday last week I went out to dinner with my family and had my ONE glass of red wine (1/2 was sprite!) and this woman came up to me telling me how wrong that was... I knew it was fine but now I am afrid to go out in public and be condomed for "not doing the right thing" occording to all those idoits out there! AHHH thank you so much for letting me vent! :)
Comment on 15th Aug '07 @ 1:57 pmThis comment is 1
I so hear what she is saying. I work with 60 truckers and it's bad enough when I have to hear it from woman but when a guy lectures me about caffine, sodium, what public places I should stay out of etc... I wanna punch him. What right does he have, especially cause he's not my husband, to tell me what pop I should drink. Grrrrr... :))
Comment on 21st Aug '07 @ 4:58 pmThis comment is 1
OMG! I was just at the coffee shop getting some coffee and making small talk with the girl there and when I mentioned a baby on the way she stopped as she was about to hand me my coffee and said "oh! did you want this decaf instead?" (I laughed cause I was just reading this article before I left to go get my coffee)but I said no and assured those two young girls behind the counter that it is perfectly fine to have a little caffeine each day and besides, if I didn't have my coffee I would not be able to function the rest of the day! Jeez, if I wanted decaf, I would have asked for it!! too funny!
Comment on 30th Aug '07 @ 3:21 pmThis comment is 1
i think we all have to keep in mind that those "nosey" people are just concerned for your child. would you rather live in a society where no one cared about the welfare of a child? the whole "its not my kid, i dont care" attitude is what scares me the most. its not about caffeine, its about a woman wanting to do whatever is possible to give that child the best chance at life. i think all of you women need help and stop being so damn selfish. you get annoyed because must feel guilty. -proud parent of one
Comment on 2nd Sep '07 @ 4:42 pmThis comment is 1
i agree...people are way to paranoid about pregnant women...even my husband was freaked out about me going on carnival rides when i was barely 2 months! i mean seriously,its not that serious!
Comment on 5th Sep '07 @ 11:06 amThis comment is 1
It IS SERIOUS, its your CHILD, not your life, its that kids life, youre a bunch of selfish bitches.
Comment on 5th Sep '07 @ 1:16 pmThis comment is 1
Kuddos, I hate when people tell me what I should and should not due. And if you think it stops after you have the baby sorry to say people just can't seem to keep their opinons to themselves. Especially the ones that have never had kids.
Comment on 5th Sep '07 @ 10:46 pmThis comment is 1
There are several topics being tackled here from everyone but I think ultimately, it doesn't matter we're the mother!!! Back off! I love this author! People need to take a step back with critiquing her style (HELLO, read the title again for me...S-a-r-c-a-s-t-i-c Journal.....chill.)All I can say with my experience is that I don't talk to anyone about my pregnancy. Everyone at my job is aware of it but I don't tell them about what I do, not do, drink or eat. It's none of their damn business. Plus, I've had jobs in the past where I've witnessed employees gossiping in the copy room or just whispering all the time and you can sense the cattyness in the air. How old are you? 38 and still acting like your in high school. I just mind my business. Which is not hard for me to do. I can be a social butterfly but if I start having people tell me what to do and I WILL let them know I don't appreciate it, and they continue?? Oh my, I might cut somebody.
Comment on 8th Sep '07 @ 9:14 amThis comment is 1
ohh no. i hope sum of the things u were saying are exagerated b/c i hope ur not smoking while prego...and coffee isnt even healthy enough for u much less a fetus. i just hope ur taking care of urself.
Comment on 10th Sep '07 @ 1:03 pmThis comment is 1
thank you cristina. thats what i've been trying to say. you imagine what caffeine makes you feel as a full grown adult... now magnify that for a fetus. it cant be healthy.
Comment on 11th Sep '07 @ 6:12 pmThis comment is 1
Well, right or wrong (and btw if 300mg of caffeine will do harm, do you really think 299mg won`t?) just remember that after you get finished screwing up your baby, the rest of the world has to deal with it for more than 18 years. So maybe that is why people feel compelled to give you advice. You may be its mother, but what do you say to a mother who gets stress relief from hitting her kids?
Comment on 12th Sep '07 @ 4:57 pmThis comment is 1
This article was fabulous. Thanks to my preggo nazi's at work, after I colored my hair, I literally printed out an article on safe haircoloring and posted it at my desk to stop the pesky remarks from my co-workers. To the several comments, especially the insane one above me-where did we go from a light, humorous joke about being judged about our pregnancies by our peers to child abuse? I can guarantee you coffee doesn't cause child abuse, poor parenting does. To my fellow pregnant women, as I sit here and enjoy my CAFFIENATED Diet Coke, I salute you!
Comment on 16th Sep '07 @ 3:11 amThis comment is 1
I'm not showing yet so it's good to know what to expect when it does come. My problem is working with women that were pregnant so long ago that they don't remember the day to day annoyances of being pregnant. They all act like- we got through it, you'll get through it now make some coffee- oh, you don't want any? well make me a cup please (batty eyes). Give me a break lady!
Comment on 27th Sep '07 @ 1:44 pmThis comment is 1
i think that u are so right... i absolutely loved her point of view.. im 4 months and i hate being told what to do.. and it is true as soon as ur belly starts showing ppl think that they have the right to tell u how to take care of your self and it drives me crazy!!!
Comment on 28th Sep '07 @ 11:15 amThis comment is 1
I loved it, I hate people who give me advice and yet they have no previous experience. Kudos!
Comment on 3rd Oct '07 @ 9:14 pmThis comment is 1
Being in my first pregnancy, I haven't really had an issues with unsolicited advice aggrivating me. I would rather keep an open mind, so people will feel like they could approach me with advice...What if someone actually knows something I don't?? Which, my friends, happens all the time. Even people who have never had a baby.
There is something about pregnant women that strikes a little googoogaga in everyone--and they all gawk and stare and say silly things. Cut people some slack, they just want whats good for us...even if they are wrong, they have good intentions.
Comment on 4th Oct '07 @ 2:40 pmThis comment is 1
I absolutely loved this article! Ever since I found out that I was pregnant, everyone wants to give advice on what should and should not be done. Most of the advice-givers are individuals who do not have children and are totally annoying. Everyone wants to tell me what happened when they were pregnant or when their friend or cousin's grandmother was pregnant...and I want to scream "I DON'T CARE." I believe that every woman's experience is different, and unwanted advice just takes away from personal joys and individual experiences!
Comment on 8th Oct '07 @ 10:03 amThis comment is 1
I had to laugh out load over this one! I love it! I agree with the fact that people should keep their opinions to themselves about what they think is good or not good for a pregnant woman- Some people, such as myself, take GREAT offense to comments about what this will do to your baby, and what if this happens to your baby.... Its crazy! Leave it alone, and mind your own business! If you chose not to drink caffine during your pregnancy, that is great! If you think breast feeding is the only way to go, thats great too, but keep your comments about how me and baby will never bond because I choose not to breast feed, and how my baby is going to be retarded because I chose to do this or that. It is very offensive! And to me, it doesnt matter to me if you have had kids or not.... I dont care what choices you made, you made them, and that is why I reside in this wonderful country, we can make our own decision! Leave me alone and let me make mine!
Comment on 8th Oct '07 @ 3:34 pmThis comment is 1
I totally agree. I have felt not myself because there are things i believe I can do but if i do them in front of people they would think im a bad person. What happened back in the day when there where no rules and everyone did what they wanted and turned out fine!
Comment on 8th Oct '07 @ 3:36 pmThis comment is 1
I am shocked at what I am reading. I can't believe all of you people. Drinking and smoking during your pregnancy is shameful. A little caffeine is not going to hurt the baby, but you are being careless with another person's life when you are chosing to do these unhealthy things such as drinking and smoking. That is child abuse. I am a teacher and I am starting to see where all of these children are coming from that have such horrible problems! Thank goodness my baby is not being born into such an environment!
Comment on 9th Oct '07 @ 9:45 pmThis comment is 1
I definitely agree to an extent, people can definitely be nosy and a little caffeine now and then isn't a big deal, but drinking, smoking, and doing drugs? I really hope that's not what this website is promoting. I'm not surprised, being that it seems 99% of the people here aren't even adults yet, but it's really shocking that any mother could care so little about her own baby. I have sympathy for moms with actual addictions who are doing their best to break them, but most of these commenters just don't seem to care that they're hurting their children. Our society is so "ME ME ME" that women won't even attempt to give their children a good start, all because it would cut into their own fun, and that's really sad. When your baby comes out with FAS or myriad health problems from smoking, how are you going to look them in the eye and tell them they're facing a lifetime of pain and struggle all because mommy couldn't control herself?
I just saw a woman on the news who took her 5 and 2 month old children with her while she prostituted and went on drug binges. The woman actually snorted coke off her own baby's body.
Too bad there weren't any "nosy bitches" around before the cops showed up. Maybe her children would've been spared a lot of pain and suffering.
Comment on 10th Oct '07 @ 10:09 amThis comment is 1
Okay being pregnant for the first time myself... That kind of pisses me off, but then also I don't smoke, or drink or anything, but smokin and drinking in public PREGNANT!? I mean my mom smoked with me and I ended up being premature and VERY sickly most of my life. I am still sickly TO THIS DAY. I really hope you don't have kids lady.. If you do I hope social services take them.
Comment on 11th Oct '07 @ 6:36 pmThis comment is 1
I don't think the site is promoting drinking and smoking she is being sarcastic. I hate when people try to tell me whats best. Like the lady at the grocery store telling me I was going to have a miscarriage because i was lifting my one year old. Well y husband works so someone has to put her in the cart
Comment on 12th Oct '07 @ 3:10 pmThis comment is 1
It's true! I've researched up to 4/5 cups/day of coffee are okay. What really sucks, however is when other people are right! I was 3 mos. pregnant when I miscarried. It had been 8 yrs. since my last pregnancy and I thought that being fit as I am I could continue working at the pace that I was accustomed to. I did not heed the warnings - no lifting over 50lbs., off your feet a little more than usual, the first three months ARE more delicate! I'm 20 weeks now after trying again. I was very careful this time around. You could say I'm paranoid. You would be too... ... no one should have to go through that! It's devastating! The article author is right though... research, research, research, it's right at your fingertips!
Comment on 13th Oct '07 @ 2:38 pmThis comment is 1
THE POINT OF THIS STORY IS...we all walk around every day and judge people. There are things that are acceptable, and others that are not. I happen to HATE SMOKE! BUT, that doesn't mean I am going to walk up to a SMOKER and tell him to stop. SO, WHY do some people think a pregnancy is an open invitation to comment on the way someone lives their life? This article is funny...because it IS SO TRUE! Take care everyone~
Comment on 21st Oct '07 @ 10:49 pmThis comment is 1
I know exactly what she means, my sister in law 16 is a health nut and tells me what I can and can not eat, drink. And get this what I should do and not do with my baby when he is born. I am not saying I am perfect but I lay off the things I know my baby shouldn't have. I don't need some one who has never had kids or even babysit in their life tell me what I can put in my body. Thanks for the breif moment to vent.
Comment on 29th Oct '07 @ 5:28 pmThis comment is 1
I love sarcasm.
It's perfect.
and it's something I understand.
Perfect article.
Comment on 3rd Nov '07 @ 1:37 pmThis comment is 1
thank you for the article. i truly understand.
i got really upset with my 19 year old sister for trying to tell me "what you need to do is worry about your finances and the health of your baby" when we had our last conversation- in early september. thus confirming i am still not speaking to her. she thinks im wrong fot telling her to stay out of grown folks business.
Comment on 4th Nov '07 @ 8:32 amThis comment is 1
I totally agree. Even my own husband will shoot me a comment every now and then and ask me if the tylenol is really necessary. Umm yes! MYOB (mind your own business). This is our second child and once he found out it was a girl (our son (perfectly healthy and normal)) he has turned into a drill sargent. Enough with all the comments already!
Comment on 6th Nov '07 @ 11:33 amThis comment is 1
Ha, even by my friends i get told what to do and not to do...when i'm the first one to get pregnant. And what really annoys me is the "you should name your baby this".
Comment on 6th Nov '07 @ 6:40 pmThis comment is 1
I didnt like it, drinking coffee, smoking and drinking beer is not healthy for the baby. I came here to look for advice and I find this article not useful.
Comment on 11th Nov '07 @ 5:02 amThis comment is 1
I really like this article. THANKS. It's great! People do really start to get annoying. uGHHH.. mY dR. TOLD ME IT WAS FINE TO DRINK A SODA IF i WANTED IT.. others think I'm crazy.. Oh.. & how about when they say.. looks like ur having a boy.. no more like a girl.. because ur hips are getting so WIDE.. are u kidding me!.. Maybe it's just my hormones, but everyone seems to be annoying me lately with their comments.
Comment on 11th Nov '07 @ 8:38 pmThis comment is 1
I agree with this article 100%, I can't start to tell you how many people without childeren are tell me what and what not to do. I many be young but it doesn't mean im retarded. I have a doctor for a reason and i just didn't go out and waste 90$ on books to hear their adivce. i can't wait for them to be come pregnant and to see how annoying it really is.
Comment on 18th Nov '07 @ 3:58 pmThis comment is 1
omg i work at starbucks and thats all i hear you shouldnt do this or that i swear only if people knew what was goin on in my life about smoking i dont even drank caffine so god for bid if i light one up right in front of them lol.
Comment on 27th Nov '07 @ 6:59 amThis comment is 1
Just had teh lovely run in withmy Husbands Aunt. She is not nor has been pregnant, and was being very rude. Because she knows it all. lol. I just laughed at her. Told her untill she is pregnant don't give advice. OOps those darn hormones came out.
Comment on 3rd Dec '07 @ 8:26 amThis comment is 1
Ok so I dont like people telling me what to do and not do in pregnancy, but when someone advises you, whats the harm? I dont drink coffee period since being pregnant, and cut down on the tea because of caffein. I didnt find this short article very funny, because the people who like to give advice, are the people who care, and try to help. Even if they get on your nerves. And about caffeine, well I would rather be safe than sorry, and cut out coffee all together, just because someones baby turned out fine while having caffiene, doesnt nesecary mean yours will. Im usually loving the articles, but sorry not this one.
Comment on 5th Dec '07 @ 4:51 amThis comment is 1
I love it.. omigosh i cant say how much i love this journal. lets me know im not the only prego thinkin i wish people would leave me the hell alone. Tryin to freak me out n shit!
Comment on 7th Dec '07 @ 8:33 amThis comment is 1
I loved reading this article . It's so true !
A lot of people do try telling you what and what
isn't good for your baby as though they specialize
in the subject . It really is annoying when the
person has never been pregnant themselves !
I don't drink or smoke at all so if I want a damn
ice cap, tea, chocolate , etc here and there
then I damn well will ! Lol !
Comment on 9th Dec '07 @ 1:34 pmThis comment is 1
NO ONE WITH A MIND SET THAT IS SELFISH SHOULD BE HAVING KIDS AT ALL. CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE ADVOCATES ESPECIALLY UNBORN!!! WHY NOT JUST HAVE A CIG WITH YOUR THRIPLE SHOT LATTE!
Comment on 10th Dec '07 @ 8:54 pmThis comment is 1
This has got to be the reason for all my grief lately. Even if you have had a child..if they are over forty and you would like to tell me that stuff that you did and didnt do during pregnancy i DO NOT want to hear it. If i want to have one soda to drink in like a 10 day span...let me drink the damn thing. The only person that can and will tell me what is good for me and my baby and what is good for me and my baby is my doctor-anyone else might as well save their breath because it will all be going in one ear and out the other! I LOVE THIS ARTUCLE!!!
Comment on 15th Dec '07 @ 7:50 pmThis comment is 1
I love this article. Especially since I work in the tree-trimming field with a bunch of men (whom DEFINATELY) will never be pregnant, but are the 1st people to give me unsolicited advice that they've picked up from thier mothers ( since most aren't married). I've actually told them that if they feel I'm doing this wrong then they can carry this baby for me!!! Most of them turned beet red when I said this and have kept thier mouths shut since. ha ha
Comment on 20th Dec '07 @ 8:26 amThis comment is 1
Haha...right on. I work at my local starbucks and am 20 weeks pregnant. I even have customers telling me I shouldnt drink caffine. Are you kidding me? It is the only way I can make it through the day with kids at home and an "outside the home" job...you go girl
Comment on 25th Dec '07 @ 8:59 pmThis comment is 1
Well I have had a couple of Smirnoff's here and there and my baby girl is VERY healthy! Nothing wrong with a little of something, some MD's actually agree to have like a glass of wine to help calm a pregnancy girl down since STRESS is more harmful than having a glass of alcohol once in a while! And I have 3 healthy kids already .... so speak for YOURSELF and WORRY about YOURSELF! :o)
Comment on 29th Dec '07 @ 4:29 pmThis comment is 1
Ya!
Comment on 1st Jan '08 @ 8:39 amThis comment is 1
My MIL is the worst. She wants me to take all kinds of "natural" herbs and whatnot. Finally after we've been married for 3 years, my husband got his claws into her and it was not pretty let me tell you. It actually happened when my son was still an infant and she wanted me to give him some "natural drops" that were supposedly for teething. Well when I got home I read the label and it said it was not supposed to be ingested. Well needlesss to say there was a showdown at our house that night. My husband and I had a huge argument about it and I wouldn't budge. He basically said that his mom had had 8 kids and she had like 15 grandkids and that she knew what she was doing. Well I'm sorry that was just not going to happen. I read the label to him and he finally saw my point of view. The next time we were at his parents house, she was at it again and finally he let loose on her. She very rarely suggests anything anymore. She knows her advice won't be taken and she just takes it to someone else I guess. This time around I hope she doesn't think that I will listen to every little thing she suggests. My husband usually lets her know how far she can go now though. Thank goodness for that. She's never said anything about coffee but then agian I turn a deaf ear anyway. No one else has really said anything to me. Yet. We'll see.
Comment on 5th Jan '08 @ 1:46 pmThis comment is 1
I told my "best" friend, who is 21 and never thought of having children... That i had taken a shot... of wine, in celebration of one of my oldest friends leaving for boot camp the next day. She responded with the amazing adivice that because of my choice, my baby would be ugly and deformed. I responded by asking whether she heard what I had said, " a shot of wine, not a shot of whiskey." Yeah she had heard right. I hung up. Now I tell everyone with two cents, that I am worried enough for both of us but thanks. Cant wait until my friend is pregnant so I can send little waves of doom her way.
Comment on 7th Jan '08 @ 6:47 pmThis comment is 1
I totally agree with this article. I've given up drinking and smoking, but I'll be damned if you think I'm giving up my caffine. As for the unwanted advice, I have a woman at work, who doesn't have custody of her own kids, but she thinks I'm going to take her advice about mine. Thanks but I thinks I can handle it from here Britney!!
Comment on 14th Jan '08 @ 7:55 pmThis comment is 1
I couldn't agree more!!!
Comment on 16th Jan '08 @ 4:59 amThis comment is 1
Thank you, Thank you!!! I love this one. Everyday I have to hear someone say something about what i should or shouldnt eat or drink. I hate it! Everyone knows so much better than i do about pregnancy. I know what im doing, THANKS!!!!
Comment on 21st Jan '08 @ 7:14 amThis comment is 1
Ha Ha! I love this woman! I'm not sure what some of these women are referring to, but I don't think this site it promoting smoking or drinking or anything harmful in the slightest. This article is meant to be sarcastic (hints the title "The Sarcastic Journalist") & it's FUNNY! I know some people think they mean well, but most pregnant women do not appreciate advice from a total stranger, especially an employee at Starbucks!
Comment on 25th Jan '08 @ 8:10 amThis comment is 1
wow i couldnt agree anymore. i hate when i go into star bucks and i get stared at, as if im killing my baby or something. and I highly agree on people who haven't been through what we woman have and are going through to tell what they think yes i take the criticism but honestly im getting sick of talking about it and have told my friends and family when were out in public to leave me alone and let me eat a damn taco from taco bell when i want. so thank you for writing this article i think this should be posted someone huge for everyone to read. im even printing it out to show people ha. thank you again!
Comment on 30th Jan '08 @ 1:15 pmThis comment is 1
Thank You! The only person we should be taking advice from is our doctor, and mine told me to ignore everything I saw in the news. Kudos to the Sarcastic Journalist for telling people to mind their own business!
Comment on 1st Feb '08 @ 9:02 amThis comment is 1
I think your being stupid and you donot know naything about being pregneant at all becasu eyour not only effecting you but you are affecting your babys life as well by drinking caffiene and cigar smoking come on know take some ADVICE from people so what if they dont have kids but they do have younger sibilings nad nieces and what not so what ever
Comment on 4th Feb '08 @ 12:36 pmThis comment is 1
Holy Smokes. Yeah, There's a lot of things presumed dangerous, and if we believed it all we'd need to live in aq bubble our whole pregnance. BUT... Smoking cigars, downing whole pitchers of beer... I've never heard anything BUT negative reviews about the affects on the fetus. If you care at all about your baby you'll sacrifice more for it's well-being. The endodontist I assist said that at a recent seminar she learned that women who drink caffiene during their pregnancy TRIPLE their riskk for miscarriage. Honestly, even if it's not true, do you want these things in the back of your mind?
Comment on 7th Feb '08 @ 10:22 amThis comment is 1
For once, I wish everybody would just shut up. People must get off by pretending to be God. I personally enjoy when someone gives me the cigarette smoking 101. And Linda, you could do your children a favor by getting a high school education and learning how to spell. And Rachel, you could do everyone else a favor by shutting your mouth and keeping your typing fingers to yourself. No matter what you tell someone on here to do, they won't listen. So give it a rest and talk to someone who cares.
Comment on 7th Feb '08 @ 2:03 pmThis comment is 1
Caffeine is not good because it reduces the amount of proteines taken up by the body so that the baby have a hard time getting all it needs... And for ur knowledge there are many 16 year old girls who are great parents. Good parenthood doesn't depend on age.
Comment on 10th Feb '08 @ 4:25 amThis comment is 1
I love this article. It is so true these days people are way too paranoid. I remeber when butter was bad for you, now butter is better for you. Some doctors even say that 16 oz of coffee a day isn't harmful to the baby. I used to drink at least 5 cups a day, smoke 20 cigs and drink alcohol weekly. I don't do any of it anymore, however I do treat myself to a cup of caffinated coffee once in a while and I beleive everything in moderation never hurt anybody.
Comment on 17th Feb '08 @ 10:31 amThis comment is 1
I loved this,it's cute and whitty and basically saying,"Hey! I might be pregnant,but i'm definately not dead!" too much caffeine isn't the best but there's tons more stuff out there that's way more harmful then a cup of coffee...all these doctors out there say this stuffs bad for you then take it right back and say it's good for you..honestly,how do they know what's good for YOUR body and what isn't? everyone's different and aquires to things differently and in their own way,what may be bad for some is great for others so piss on them..lol..but,not to go on for hours here,this article was too cute!
Comment on 18th Feb '08 @ 12:35 pmThis comment is 1
OMG these articles always make me laugh out loud! Thanks for making me feel like a regular human being...
Comment on 23rd Feb '08 @ 9:55 amThis comment is 1
I think this is so true, and she really tells it as she sees it, I am constantly getting critisized by people I work with and my family including my husband, how the hell does he know how I feel, it's not like he is getting sick everyday or growing out of all his real cute clothes. She has a good point though, don't take it to the extreme. I enjoy my cig every once in awhile, and my soda, but im not going to overdose on them I already know the side effects, and I 'm not going to do anything drastic.
Comment on 26th Feb '08 @ 8:04 pmThis comment is 1
I so agree! I'm already grouchy enough at times, I don't need people fueling the fire with there unwanted advice. (Even though I let in go in one ear and out the other.) We are the only ones who know exactly how we feel when we are pregnant, so if we want to indulge a little we should feel free with out judgment or advice from people who have never been in our shoes.
Comment on 26th Feb '08 @ 11:55 pmThis comment is 1
I totally agree with you...I have had it witht he pregnancy police telling me what I can and can't do while pregnant. I'm a bartender, and I constantly get told at 5 months pregnant that I shouldn't be doing my job. And about the coffee, I'll be damned if someones gonna tell me I can't have my morning cup of coffee! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way about people telling me what to do. In moderation - a cup of coffee, working on your feet, drinking a Coke, or even an occasional cigarette is probably just fine. People need to mind their own business, and let us preggers do what we know is okay for ourselves and our babies.
Comment on 3rd Mar '08 @ 1:25 amThis comment is 1
Im 16, from what ive read in "what to expect when you expecting" drinking caffine, and smoking are both not good for your baby.. even if your baby dosent have any "problems" the fact is its just not good, and if its not good for my baby then i wont do it. But i do agree that people need to just stay off our backs about what we should and shouldnt do. It is our choise weather we choose to do somthing or not. If she to immature to find out if its good for her baby or not.. it is her fault.. but it is no one elses business.
Comment on 4th Mar '08 @ 3:37 pmThis comment is 1
I have to agree. I get told because I skip a meal when I am not hungry that I am doing harm to my baby. Well according to what my doctor told me that as long as I take my vitamins the baby gets the nutrients I need. Another thing that chaps my hide is when they act like you are an invalid just because you are pregnant. I get oh no you shouldn't be doing that your pregnant all the time and then people wonder why some women hate being pregnant. A little caffiene is not going to hurt the baby at all. The only thing they have proven about caffiene is that is can cause a miscarriage.
Comment on 5th Mar '08 @ 10:08 amThis comment is 1
loved it. So damn true. Everyone around me is constantly telling me what to and not to do!!
Now that my in law had her first pregnancy she finally rrealized it's not that easy to change everything in your daily habits when you get pregnant.
I love a woman who speaks her mind!!!
Comment on 5th Mar '08 @ 8:38 pmThis comment is 1
i have to say this is so true. i am on my second pregnancy and so far at 19 weeks im not showing the baby belly yet but with my first is like anyone that i saw in the grocery store or anywhere had something to say. i really rubbed me the wrong way. you don't wanta be rude but at the same time you wanta say mind your own business im the one carrying this child not you. you are right on and it made my day to read this.
Comment on 8th Mar '08 @ 5:11 pmThis comment is 1
OMFG!!!!! i'm only like 4 weeks pregnant and i've got friends who work at starbux, and i'm already getting that!!!! grrrr!!!!! its very annoying when my friends, EVEN HIS FRIENDS (he has no female friends) tell me what i can and cant do. im going to lose my mind if i hear "no way, your pregnant, are you crazy?" no i am not crazy, but i am the one carrying this baby and you are not so BACK OFF!
Comment on 10th Mar '08 @ 1:22 pmThis comment is 1
This is so freaking hilarious! Anyone that doesn't have a sense of humor need not read! LOL This woman obviously knows what she's talking about, caffeine won't kill as long as it's in moderation. One cup a day won't hurt. If I have anyone give advice that I don't completely agree with, I simply say, "I'll check into that, or ask my doctor." If they persist I ask, "Where did you get your degree?" Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it...
Comment on 11th Mar '08 @ 10:45 amThis comment is 1
I agree that people shouldn't give unsolicited advice, BUT I'm sorry... I have no respect for smoking preggos. My Mom smoked with her 3 pregnancies & that has always pissed me off -- how much did she really care about us to do that? I have countless medical issues, and always wonder if it's because of her smoking & possibly even drinking while I was in the womb. I think it's just sad.
Comment on 13th Mar '08 @ 9:50 amThis comment is 1
Melanie, I'm sure its not that she DIDN'T care... it's just they didn't know... my mom drank a lot when she was pregnant with me, whiskey and all sorts! I'm fine, but even 20 years ago they didn't know then what they know now... it's not that they don't care! It was just a lack of research back then.
Comment on 18th Mar '08 @ 12:41 pmThis comment is 1
This article is so right and so funny. love it. it peevs me off so bad when my friends tell me i am killing my baby by drinking a midi of beer. geez give it a rest.
Comment on 19th Mar '08 @ 3:20 amThis comment is 1
I love this. I hate when people try to say its a girl because of this or a boy because of that, or they tell you everything they think....i dont mind someone giving me advice, or telling a story of when they were pregnant...but there are limits!
Comment on 20th Mar '08 @ 6:02 amThis comment is 1
This made my day & made me laugh lol.
Comment on 29th Mar '08 @ 11:26 amThis comment is 1
privet
Comment on 4th Apr '08 @ 4:07 amThis comment is 1
privet
Comment on 4th Apr '08 @ 4:38 amThis comment is 1
I love you for writing this article! Thank you! It's so validating!
Comment on 7th Apr '08 @ 1:44 pmThis comment is 1
it is true when i got preg everyone was telling me dont do this dont do that!! maybe they were right but its still hard not to do your everyday life when your so used to it and the boom you find out your preg which dont get me wrong is a blessing but how do you change your whole lifestyle and my family just wanted me to quit cold turkey! like smoking i understand it is bad for you sure so i coffee but if your smoking and drinking coffee for even 10 years and your life its very hard just to stop rigt there and then!! i totally agree with the journalist i dont like people telling me what to do especially if they dont kow what im going through!!
Comment on 9th Apr '08 @ 7:38 pmThis comment is 1
I've listened to people try to boss me around for 1&1/2 pregnancies. IT GETS OLD PEOPLE! If I wanted your opinion Id give it to you. j/k! If I wanted advice I'd ask someone whos opinion I value, not a complete stranger in the store. I want to know what people like this are thinking. I am 20 weeks pregnant and Ive lost 10 lbs, but I still have random people telling me that I need to watch how much I eat and work out before I gain too much weight. Not only am I pregnant and hormonal but now I'm just plain mad because this person just basically called me fat!
Comment on 11th Apr '08 @ 5:46 amThis comment is 1
I love this article! I so want to tell people of fwhen they tell me what I should and should not be eating, doing, wearing, saying, and feeling when I'm pregnant. Kudos to you!!!
Comment on 16th Apr '08 @ 6:14 amThis comment is 1
I know how that is! I have cut back on caffeine a lot! But i will still occasionally have a can on pop here or there, it's not like i am downing a case of mt. due every day. just 1 can a day usually, but i drink 2 1/2L of water and 1/4 galon of skim milk every day! so a little caffeine in the middle of the day to keep me going is ok?
^-^ lol i wanna scream that to ppl when they give me a funny look when i grab a pop. but i just shrug it off and go on about my day.
Comment on 16th Apr '08 @ 11:00 amThis comment is 1
I love this! It is so true with how people get so shocked if you so much as have a diet coke! omg should you really be drinking that?!?! I am pregnat with my 3rd child! and with my 2 girls i drank coffee and caff. beverages! O I just love how this artical was put!!
Comment on 16th Apr '08 @ 4:57 pmThis comment is 1
I'm so happy to see this. I allow myself one caffinated soda a day. I was buying one one day and a co-worker made the joke/comment "caffine free, right?". Funny to him, not so much to me!
Comment on 18th Apr '08 @ 1:06 pmThis comment is 1
Thank You!!! I am gald for a statement as bold as her....it almost sounded crazy at first glance but seriously...I look at what all the women I know (ESPECIALLY in my family)have gone through and what they have done and THAT'S where I get alot of my information. My Nana had 5 healthy babies, all natural, and she did things that I wouldn't even dare...not because I'm afraid but because I find that soda gives me heartburn and I dont eat seafood anyways. She craved things and ate things and even DID things that are now "assumed" as horrible or your a horrible mother FOR it. Bravo to those ladies that DO stand up and say "Back off"! Bravo
Comment on 19th Apr '08 @ 5:10 pmThis comment is 1
HA! I love this! I'm 18 weeks and people are now coming out of nowhere giving me advice and telling me how "big" I look for being due in Sept! The caffeine thing kills me-- I had a lady at work ask me if I was really going to drink a coke! Where do people find this freedom to give advice and chastise pregnant women-- I think it's the only time you will get this during your life!! I was overweight before getting pregnant, I never had anyone question what I ate or drank before....! I had a glass (ONE) of wine the other day and my husband got really quiet and kept giving me these "looks".......it gets SO OLD! I know people are "concerned" but they should also be more considerate of all of the insecurities we already have during pregnancy! Not to mention the raging horomones!!! LOVE THE ARTICLE- Thanks for helping us feel more normal, and able to relate to other women:)
Comment on 27th Apr '08 @ 2:33 pmThis comment is 1
I WENT INTO A SEAFOOD TAKE OUT RESTAURANT YESTERDAY TO GET AN ICED TEA. THEY MAKE THE HOME MADE KIND AND EVERYTIME I GO OVER MY AUNTS HOUSE I HAVE TO STOP IN THAT RESTAURANT FOR ONE. THE LADY THERE TRIED TO TELL ME TO WATCH THE SUGAR, BUT DIDN'T SAY A WORD ABOUT THE CAFFEINE OF THE ICED TEA. BUT A FEW PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY TOLD ME "NO CAFFEINE" AS THEY SEE ME IN A BODEGA BUYING A SODA, WHEN THE SODA IS USUALLY GRAPE, ORANGE, OR CREAM SODA. I EVEN HAD MEN TELL ME NOT TO DRINK SODA. LIKE ARE YOU SERIOUS. LASTLY ON VACATION TWO WEEKS AGO, I WOKE UP WITH BAD LEG CRAMPS, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD SUBSIDED, MY CALVES WERE STILL KILLING ME, I DECIDED 2 GO DOWN TO THE HOT TUB IN THE HOTEL, AND SOAK LEGS IN THE WATER, KEEP IN MIND THE REST OF MY BODY WAS NOT IN THE WATER, JUST MY CALVES. THEN SOME MAN SAYS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN HERE. THEN WHEN I TELL HIM ABOUT MY LEG CRAMPS HE STARTS SAYING I NEED TO EAT BABNANAS, AS IF HE WERE MY NUTRITIONIST OR MID WIFE. I GOT SO UPSET. THAT I DECIDED TO GET OUT. MY STOMACH IS JUST STARTING TO SHOW, SOME PEOPLE STILL HAVE TO ASK FIRST IF I AM PREGNANT, BUT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE I'M UP FOR ATTACK AND CRITICISM JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER PREGNANT WOMEN. AS IF PREGNANCY WEREN'T HARD ENOUGH.
Comment on 8th May '08 @ 4:00 pmThis comment is 1
LOL. I AGREE WITH HER 100%. My friends always try to tell me what and whatnot to do and never had children. I was told that i couldnt have anything with hot sauce but i asked my doctor and she said it is fine and that it really matters in the very beginning of pregnancy. Ppl just need to mind their own business!!!
Comment on 12th May '08 @ 1:08 pmThis comment is 1
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