26 Weeks Pregnant

If frequent trips to the bathroom are standing between you and a good night's sleep, cut back on the amount you drink after dinnertime (just get enough fluids before then). Drink if you're thirsty, but don't guzzle a 16-ounce bottle of water right before bed.

When it comes to meat, fish or poultry, half-baked isn't baked enough for you. Pierce your cooked chicken with a fork — if the juice comes out red, it's undercooked, so put it back in the oven and let it heat up till the fluid runs clear.

Cut through the thickest part of cooked meat and chops to make sure the middle is gray or brown with no rare spots.

And instead of searing fish and serving it rare or medium, bake, broil, grill or poach it until it's cooked through. Better still, check the temperature with a quality meat thermometer.

Remember these "fully cooked" temps of some family favorites:

• Whole chicken and turkey: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
• Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, chops and steaks: 145 degrees F
• Chicken breasts: 165 degrees F
• Ground chicken and turkey: 165 degrees F
• Ground beef, veal, lamb and pork: 160 degrees F
• Fish: 145 degrees F
• Precooked ham: 140 degrees F

Putting the nursery together is super exciting, but remember: safety first. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets strict standards for both manufacturers and retailers. These requirements include stronger mattress supports and crib slats, extremely durable crib hardware and rigorous safety testing.

Also, the CPSC put an end to manufacturing and selling dangerous drop-side cribs. So avoid buying that vintage (read: discontinued) drop-side crib — it poses a risk to your newborn.

You know that getting light to moderate exercise throughout pregnancy is good for you (assuming your doctor has given you the green light). But once you start feeling baby kick, you may find yourself with a little workout buddy every time you go for a walk, do some laps in the pool or hit the gym.

Be aware that every baby in utero responds differently to Mom's exercise routine, however. Some may be lulled to sleep by the movement, while others might seem to start a workout of their own — "Look, I can kickbox, too!"

Talk to your practitioner about what intensity level is right for you and your tiny fitness partner, and what kind of fetal movement you can expect during and after your exercise session.

Clean up in the kitchen. That goes for your hands first and foremost, and also for your dish towels, countertops and sponges — everything that's even remotely a part of the food-prep process, including the food itself.

Be extra vigilant about this when handling raw meats, eggs, poultry or fish — wash your hands with warm, soapy water before, during and after you touch these foods, and be sure to clean the utensils, cutting board and towels you handled along the way.

Wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating them, even the ones you intend to peel. The one exception to the wash-before-using rule: Don't rinse raw meat or poultry. You won't be washing off the bacteria — only cooking can eliminate that — but you will be splashing the bacteria all over the sink and countertop.

Between your burgeoning belly and your aching back, it isn't always easy to stand up…never mind stand up straight. But try to resist the tendency to thrust your hips and stomach forward and throw your shoulders back when you're walking, as that could exacerbate those pregnancy pains.

Instead, aim for a straight line between your shoulders and your hips when you're up and about — and to see what that feels like, back up against a wall. While you're at it, do some standing pelvic tilts. Sit smart by putting a pillow behind your lower back for support.

When preparing eggs, cook until the whites have set firmly and the yolks have begun to thicken. And never eat salad dressings, sauces or mousse-type desserts made with raw eggs unless you're using the pasteurized variety.

Also, resist the temptation to eat raw cookie dough or cake batter. As yummy as it is, it's a good idea to kick the habit even if you're not pregnant!