We all make mistakes, especially when we're pregnant and our hormones are wreaking havoc on our ability to process information. That may be why, according to an article on the Web site Divine Caroline, intelligent women often commit a few errors when they're with-child.
The site has published a list of Eight Blunders Even Smart Pregnant Women Make, which recently also was featured on the Web site Empowher. I was surprised by a few items, but also must acknowledge that I committed some of these during my nine months of fetus-carrying. Hey, I can 'fess up to my mistakes if you can 'fess up to yours'.
Of the eight errors on the list, here are the ones I made:
Eating For Two -- The Empowher list says most women only need an additional 300 hours calories per day when they're pregnant, but many consume much more than that, and not always of the healthy variety. Uh, yeah, guilty as charged on this one. I ate all kinds of things I shouldn't have when I was pregnant: burgers, hot fudge sundaes, my weight in Cheez-Its and more Christmas cookies than I can count. I was so relieved when I found out I didn't have gestational diabetes that I went on a sugar binge to celebrate. Not smart, Chaney. Not smart.
Decreasing Activity: In addition to gorging, I also was a lazy bum. I exercised a little: occasional gym visits and long walks with the dog. But not nearly as much as I should have. Although, comparatively speaking, I looked like an Olympic athlete compared to how often I hit the gym now. Apparently I am not just a stupid, unhealthy pregnant woman, I'm a stupid, unhealthy woman period. (Wow, this list is making me feel fan-TASTIC about myself.)
Not Addressing Emotional Well-Being: I can't say I got enough sleep or perfectly managed my stress when pregnant. Then again, being aware that I needed to put "address emotional well-being" on my to-do list probably would have only added to my stress.
Now, here are the items on the list that I find understandable, even though I didn't commit these blunders myself:
Not Continuing Medications for Pre-existing Diseases: A lot of women are understandably concerned about taking any sort of medicine while pregnant, so I can see how this might be a common problem.
Skipping Breakfast: Again, when things are busy, can totally see how this happens to some moms-to-be. Me? I was too hungry to even consider it. (Please see previous reference to overeating for two.)
Installing the Car Seat at the Last Minute: It's an unpleasant task and one many of us are inclined to put off. Seems like this might be the most widespread blunder of all.
And finally, the two items on the list that I found most debatable:
Not Buckling Up: Apparently some women get all weirded out by wearing their seat belts because they are afraid it will harm their child. Okay, fine. I still find it hard to imagine taking that fear to the next level and just not bothering to wear a seat belt at all. Are many moms out there really taking this risk? You tell me.
Electing for a C-Section: This is probably the most controversial item on the list. Plenty of women undoubtedly would say that going this route isn't a blunder at all. I had a C-section, though not by choice, and I have to say that I didn't have too much trouble recovering, nor did I have any infections. This one strikes me as a matter of opinion vs. a flat-out mistake that smart pregnant women make.
Okay, I've confessed my pregnancy sins. Now it's your turn: Which of these errors did you commit? Or are you so awesome that you invented a few that Divine Caroline hasn't even heard of yet?
Image: Divine Caroline
