Although you needn't stop your life when you are pregnant, you do need to bear some things in mind. Here's what you need to avoid when pregnant.
During your pregnancy one thing you're not going to be short of is unsolicited advice. However, this advice is often conflicting and you end up back to where you started. So what should you do? Don't worry, you've come to the right place.
Here are some things you should avoid when pregnant.
Caffeine
Reports of the effects of caffeine on a foetus have been conflicting. Some studies state that caffeine is harmful to the foetus and can cause miscarriages, premature delivery and low birth weights, while other studies deny any such connection. It is now widely believed that drinking small amounts of caffeine is fine - but too much of it should be avoided. How much is too much? As long as you stay below the 300mg of caffeine a day mark, you should be fine. Different coffees have different amounts of caffeine but in general drink no more than two cups a day. Remember that tea, colas and other soft drinks, and chocolate, all contain caffeine. The caffeine content in chocolate is very low so you don't need to worry about it, but do remember that it all adds up. Some mothers prefer playing it safe and staying off caffeine during their entire pregnancy, but if you cannot do this, try and limit your intake as far as possible.
Saunas
Soaking in a hot tub or going in for a steam or sauna session may seem like the perfect way to relax and pamper yourself at this time, but this is not a good idea. Any activity that raises your body temperature should be avoided, especially during your first trimester. Sure, you could take a hot shower, but make sure you get out of there as soon as possible. You don't want hot streams of water pelting your belly for an extended period of time. Give yourself ten minutes in a warm shower at the most.
Food
Avoid eating heaty foods like ginger, honey etc. Soak almonds overnight in water before eating. Fish containing high levels of mercury should be avoided. Also, avoid eating uncooked cheese or unpasturised milk and its products, as these often contain bacteria that may be harmful to your unborn baby.
Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
Abstain from alcohol and cigarettes during your pregnancy. If you must drink, red wine - in limits - is your safest bet. A few glasses of red wine a week should be fine, but in general alcohol is best avoided. Don't smoke even a single cigarette during your pregnancy. If your husband or partner smokes, make sure he smokes outdoors. Secondhand smoke can be just as bad for your baby. During your pregnancy your husband should not smoke indoors at all, even when you are not around - as stale smoke will lurk in the home for hours after smoking. Any time your husband wants to light up, he should make it a point to go outdoors or out into the balcony. Some husbands who find this impractical, smoke in a toilet that their wives don't use.
Drugs too are off limits. Speak to your practitioner before taking any medication. Some OTC drug as Disprin are generally thought to be safe but don't take anything without asking your doctor. Your doctor may suggest alternate medication which would be less harmful to the foetus.
Name:
Chhavi
Country: India
Thts a nice informative article:) i really appreciate the efforts put in by you guys don want to miss this opportunity thanking babeezworld.. even their blog posts are just too gud :)
Name:
amy
Country: United Kingdom
why do people smoke during pregnancy its just totally out of order and unfair on the developing baby why get pregnant if you are going to risk making your baby ill or risk looseing it.
Name:
sapna
Country: india
very informative. thanks for this article.
Name:
Bilal Butt
Country: Pakistan
video display terminals (vdts)
at this time, there are no solid research findings regarding the effects of computer monitors or video display terminals (vdt) on a developing baby.
precautions
reduce your exposure to vdt's whenever possible.
be sure to take frequent stretch breaks and look away from the computer screen whenever possible
other precautions and concerns
fetal solvent syndrome - risk for major birth defectrs
exposure to chemicals may cause birth defects. talk with your health care provider if you are concerned about exposure to chemicals in your environment.
rh negative mothers and rhogam
if you (mother) are rh negative and your baby's blood is rh positive there is an rh incompatibility. because some of the baby's red blood cells leak into your system, your body will produce antibodies to fight the rh factor as if it were a harmful substance. these antibodies will remain in your body and may affect your next baby. if you are rh negative, you will be given an injection of rhogam at about 28 weeks of pregnancy, and within 72 hours after a birth, miscarriage, abortion or amniocentesis. the rhogam will prevent your body from making these harmful antibodies. if your baby is rh negative, you will not need rhogam after delivery. talk with your health care provider for more information.
preecla mpsia
preeclampsia is also called pregnancy induced hypertension (pih) or toxemia. the cause of preeclampsia is unknown. it occurs in 5% of pregnancies and is most common in:
first pregnancies
twin or other multiple pregnancies
women with high blood pressure before 20 weeks of pregnancy
teenage pregnancies
women with diabetes
women who have had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy
symptoms of preeclampsia include a rise in blood pressure, protein in your urine and rapid weight gain due to fluid retention. if left untreated, preeclampsia can cause many problems that could be life threatening to you and your baby. early preeclampsia can be diagnosed during a routine visit with your health care provider. call your health care provider immediately if you experience blurred vision, headache, upper abdominal pain, rapid weight gain or increased swelling.
gestational diabetes
gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy. the changes in your body during pregnancy can cause your blood sugar (glucose) levels to be high, which can cause problems for you and your baby. you will receive specific education on how to care for yourself if you develop gestational diabetes. it is very important to follow the diet, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring plans given to you.
gestational diabetes is most likely to develop if you:
are overweight
have a family history of diabetes
gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
had a baby who died before birth
had gestational diabetes in the past
are of latin, american indian, african, asian or pacific islander descent
you and your baby may have the following problems if you don't keep your blood sugar under control:
baby
big baby
premature birth
jaundice
low blood sugar
stillborn (although this is rare)
mother
high blood pressure
bladder or kidney infection
shortness of breath
harder birth and longer recovery time
increased chance of c-section delivery
food additives
precautions
whenever possible, try to minimize your use of
processed food items (such as hot dogs)
foods containing sodium nitrate, such as cured meats (hams, bacon, etc.); these substances may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
be sure to wash fruit and and peel carrots to avoid eating pesticides used on farms to kill insects.
food handling concerns
eating raw fish, meats or poultry may increase your risk of infection or parasitic disease. cooking food destroys bacteria and parasites. milk that is not pasteurized may also cause illness.
precautions
avoid eating raw fish (sushi, ceviche), meats or eggs.
only drink pasturized milk.
cook your fish, meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly.
always wash cutting boards after slicing any raw fish, meats, or poultry.
recommendations
run plastic cutting boards through the dishwasher.
microwave wooden boards for five minutes.
medications and herbs
some medications and herbs may harm your baby. before taking any medication or medicinal herbs during your pregnancy, ask your health care provider these questions:
what is this medicine/herb?
what does it treat?
what are the side effects my baby or i may experience?
what is the smallest effective dose?
how long will i need to take this medication?
precautions
be cautious about using medicines that contain multiple ingredients. they are more likely to contain extra substances, that may harm your baby.
the first three months of pregnancy is the most crucial stage in your baby's development as all organs are forming. throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the first three months, be very careful about using alcohol, drugs and medication. the following information outlines substances that require special precautions during pregnancy. instructions are also given on how to keep track of fetal movements, an important sign of your baby's health.
fish and seafood
alcohol
caffeine
cigarettes
food additives
food handling concerns
medications and herbs
saunas and hot tubs
toxoplasmosis
video display terminals (vdts)
other precautions and concerns
informational hotlines - chemical use and precautions
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
the first three months of pregnancy is the most crucial stage in your baby's development as all organs are forming. throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the first three months, be very careful about using alcohol, drugs and medication. the following information outlines substances that require special precautions during pregnancy. instructions are also given on how to keep track of fetal movements, an important sign of your baby's health.
fish and seafood
alcohol
caffeine
cigarettes
food additives
food handling concerns
medications and herbs
saunas and hot tubs
toxoplasmosis
video display terminals (vdts)
other precautions and concerns
informational hotlines - chemical use and precautions
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
the first three months of pregnancy is the most crucial stage in your baby's development as all organs are forming. throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the first three months, be very careful about using alcohol, drugs and medication. the following information outlines substances that require special precautions during pregnancy. instructions are also given on how to keep track of fetal movements, an important sign of your baby's health.
fish and seafood
alcohol
caffeine
cigarettes
food additives
food handling concerns
medications and herbs
saunas and hot tubs
toxoplasmosis
video display terminals (vdts)
other precautions and concerns
informational hotlines - chemical use and precautions
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
fish and seafood
fish and seafood are excellent low-fat sources of many nutrients and an important part of a healthy diet. however, there is a concern about eating fish and seafood during preganancy, since many types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. to be safe, choose wisely among types of fish.
precautions
eat no more than 12 ounces of cooked fish a week.
do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
limit albacore (white) tuna (even canned) to once a week.
if you eat fish caught by family and friends from local waters, check local advisories about the safety of fish.
fish sticks and fast food sandwiches are commonly made from fish low in mercury.
Name:
jai
Country: malaysia
very helpful.buthave more questions:
is it safe to walk and carry groceries or heavy throughtout the pregnancy?
can we stand for a long period of time (due to nature of work)?
Name:
mona
Country: india
what about travel during pregnancy
Name:
shobha
Country: india
helpful.
Name:
Renu Arora
Country: India
whats about sleeping posture
