By the way, I've just discovered that the internation alliance of old housewives, archaic midwives and nannies have converged with one purpose in mind: To assault pregnant women with regimented, bullet-pointed orders and dictates concerning what to, and not to, ingest during pregnancy - from the type of water you drink to the kind of fabric you wear...

Disclaimer: Let the records show that I advice that you listen to whatever your physician says or recommends. So, that said, let's look at three foods/drinks and how it affects the pregnant woman...

** Diet soda
Negligible damaging effects have been discovered from the application of the synthetic sweetener -aspartame - in pregnancy. Just as in the case of anything else, restraint is paramount. A diet pop or aspartame-sweetened yogurt on a daily basis is, most likely, safe.

** Cheeses
Centre For Disease Control: "Listeriosis can cause miscariages, death of baby the baby, premature delivery and severe illness." Listeriosis is a food-borne disease with mild flu-like symptoms which can be easily overlooked. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cautions pregnant women to stay away from eating unpasteurized soft cheeses, other unpasteurized dairy products, lunch meat or hotdogs - unless cooked.

Cheeses which are manufactured in the United states of America are, by law, required to be produced from pasteurized milk - the process involved in it's manufacturing actually kills the organism called listeria thereby making them reletively safe. Soft cheeses, which are imported are bound to be problematic on the long run. They include feta, goat, brie, montrachet, camembert, queso fresco and neufchatel.

Listeria can also be discovered in unpasteurized, partially soft cheeses - it can also be found in solid cheeses not given to grating so easily which are often times covered with wax to conserve wetness and lengthen shelf life. Partially-soft cheeses include Gorgonzola, Havarti, asiago, blue, roquefort, brick, and muenster. Cheddar, cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and cream are fine. Abstain from roadside ciders - They aren't pasteurized!

** Coffee
Although majority of the studies available nowadays indicate no damaging effects from the intake of between two to four cups of coffee daily, some midwives and physicians are still overly cautious and continue to point to studies which links java (a major substance in coffee) to migraines and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Granted; some data exist linking large amounts of caffeine and the delivery of low-birth-weight babies. Nevertheless, remember that as always, moderation is key if you decide to drink coffee.

Have this at the back of your mind as you go: It is hard enough on you just being pregnant without adding the hassles brought about by improper diet. The health of you and your baby is paramount!