When I was pregnant, I followed all the rules. I didn’t eat soft cheeses, sushi, luncheon meat, limited my caffeine intake, and more. 

My first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage – which of course I blamed myself for. I doubled down on following the rules for subsequent pregnancies, wanting to do everything “right.” The result: two babies and one more miscarriage.

Even when you follow the rules, the outcomes can be different from your expectations.