Pregnancy Dos and Don'ts

It's quite simple, really.

If you attempt to follow every suggestion from friends, doctors, websites, lists, cautionary tales,  blah, blah, blah while you're pregnant, you'll go insane.

Therefore, my advice to you is this: there are choices that you make that involve a level of risk and there are ones that you make that produce results.

In terms of actions involving a risk, such as eating lunch meat or drinking too much caffeine, I believe those are choices each pregnant gal must make on her own, in terms of what is best for her health and sanity.

In terms of actions that produce unavoidable results, I warn you to heed the advice of others in these situations because I didn't and now I am suffering the consequences.

Yes, I chose to go against the warnings of many and now I'm stuck with the result; I should have listened to those who have come before me because they know best: I cut off my hair and I HATE it.

It was an impulsive, hormonal decision that my stylist warned me not to make but I went under the shears anyway and now I must spend the next 6 months to a year waiting for the return of my former self.

I like long haired Ali; she's the anti-bridezilla who got married on that gorgeous day last August.  Short haired Ali, um, well, I'm not so keen on her: so far, she's bitchy and mean, doesn't know how to take a compliment, and lashes out at the sweetest folk to hide her own insecurities.

Honestly, ladies, when you're pregnant, go ahead and eat as much sushi as you want (from reputable joints).  Go on and enjoy an occasional glass of red wine to de-stress at the end of a long week.  Eat that non-organic (but low spray) apple.

Take risks, but for goodness sake, don't take off your hair!