I’ve eaten seafood without knowing the source (I don’t overdo it), soft cheeses in moderation (and enjoyed them!), and one really good steak (juicy, but not rare). I haven’t had any alcoholic drinks, but I’ve met a number of women who have had a glass of wine here and there -- often citing French women, or their grandmothers' generation. I’ve placed an official request with my husband for sushi and champagne at the ready as soon as our baby is born. How strict have you been about all of the pregnancy rules? I’m curious.

I’m glad the medical system is there to intervene if things get complicated, but I think the system has complicated what’s usually a pretty straight-forward process, and I am personally taking an internal, mental stand against that. Have you shifted your approach to, or attitude about, your pregnancy midway through?

Watch Rachel's belly grow over the course of her pregnancy in this slideshow!

This past weekend we went to the Hamptons with my husband's family, and we decided it would be a good time to tell them about the pregnancy — since we'd all be together. We didn't flat out tell them though. Instead, we told them that we wanted to show them photos from our trip to the Pacific Northwest last month. So while we were out to dinner, they politely looked through the photos and passed them around, and then the last one was a photo we'd taken of two positive pregnancy tests.

My mother-in-law stared and stared at that photo, not knowing what she was looking at.