Top 12 Pregnancy Fears (and Why You Shouldn't Worry) Cont'd

THE FEAR: I'll eat or drink the wrong thing -- and harm my baby.

THE (RELAX!) FACTS: Women today feel a lot of pressure to do all the "right things" when they're expecting, says Dr. Morse. Beyond the basics like eating healthy and taking prenatal vitamins, pregnant gals today worry about every little "Is it safe?" question. But agonizing over every decision will drive you crazy -- and there's no need for it. Your doctor should outline the big no-nos at your first prenatal visit, and you can ask about any major concerns then. Remember, no one can possibly follow every rule and guideline to the letter. And here's the truth: "Even the risks associated from things like eating unpasteurized cheese or dying your hair during your first trimester -- both of which doctors advise against -- are probably very, very small, and we're just being extra cautious," says Dr. Ashton. So don't fret if you accidentally order a turkey sandwich (oops...forgot that cold cuts are off-limits!) or sip a glass of juice at a brunch, then realize it's unpasteurized. And hey, we bet your mom didn't do half the things you're doing for your kiddo -- and look how brilliantly you turned out.

THE FEAR: I'm too stressed out -- and it's hurting the baby.

THE (RELAX!) FACTS: Between those crazy hormones, the sheer exhaustion, and everything else going on these days, it would be weird if you didn't feel a bit on edge every now and then. But stressing over your stress is useless, says Dr. Morse -- especially because a super-taxing day or week at work is not going to harm your baby. Most research shows that intermittent stress (the kind your body gets used to over time) has minimal impact on an unborn baby. While some studies show that acute, severe stress (like losing a job or a death in the family) can increase a baby's risk for things like premature birth, experts agree that it's all about how you handle the situation. Bottom line: If you know you tend to get super-tense, try to take things down a notch, and find a way to reclaim your calm at the end of a bad day -- be it writing in your journal, venting to your hubs, or going to bed an hour earlier.