Hey guys, after the pineapple scare :) I thought I would do some research on things to avoid during pregnancy.

Please do add to the list..

Cut down on caffeine. Limit coffee, colas, tea, cocoa, chocolate and over-the-counter medications that include caffeine.

· Danger to the unborn – Pregnant animals given high doses of caffeine have a higher incidence of malformations and miscarriages and their offspring have a higher incidence of low birth weights.

· Pregnancy Tip – If you miss coffee, try heating caffeine-free drinks that you usually like, such as hot apple juice with cinnamon or hot lemonade.

Avoid environmental hazards. Avoid the substance called terotagen, commonly found in bug sprays, household cleaners and many building materials.

· Danger to the unborn – These chemicals have been found to cause birth defects, especially if exposure occurs during the first two weeks after conception.

Cool it! Avoid hot baths, spas, and saunas with temperatures of 102° F or higher and exercising in hot, humid weather for more than 30 minutes. However, studies have found no correlation between the use of electric blankets and fetal malformations.

· Danger to the unborn – Excessive heat poses an increased risk of spinal cord defects.

Don’t go near the litter box. Some cats carry the parasite toxoplasmosis, which – in rare cases – can be transmitted from cat feces through a pregnant woman’s placenta and infect the developing fetus. If you have a cat, get someone else to change the litter box or wear disposable plastic gloves when handling the box. Wear the gloves when working in the garden – cats may have deposited feces there, too.

Nikita replied. Hey Avi,

Good work yaar. This is very helpful.
Keep it up.

Take care-Nikita. Simmi replied. Well done Avi. Always handy to refresh what to do and not and learnt few new tips on the way too. Thx. Avi replied. No guys, I haven't gone crazy. I am just making good use of my afternoon off work.

Soft Cheese
Listeria monocytogenes (commonly known as Listeria) is a type of bacteria found in some types of cheese. Soft, white, Mexican-style (such as Queso Blanco and Queso Fresco) cheeses are those at greatest risk of being infected, although the FDA reports that past studies also have implicated feta, Brie, Camembert, and blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort. They also state that no problems have been found with hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss), processed slices, cottage cheese, or yogurt. During pregnancy, you and your baby are both vulnerable to infection, so avoid risk and skip the soft cheese.

Deli Meats and Under-cooked meats

Can anyone forget the massive luncheon meat recalls from early 1999? Be wary of items you might find behind a deli counter -- especially those which may have come into contact with infected cheeses. Also risky: undercooked poultry and hot dogs (and similar meats) that have not been thoroughly reheated. According to the FDA, pregnant women may contract flu-like symptoms of listeriosis; complications can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or septicemia or meningitis in the newborn. It takes from one to six weeks for a serious case of listeriosis to develop, although flu-like symptoms may occur 12 hours after eating contaminated food.

Medications/Herbs
Several herbs (just because it's \";natural\"; doesn't mean it's safe). Be wary of herbal teas. and \";everyday\"; medications are also of concern, and aspirin and other drugs containing salicylate are not recommended throughout pregnancy, especially during the last three months, except under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.



Avi replied. Sayonara, sushi! Avoid eating raw or undercooked fish, meats and eggs. Cook foods to proper temperatures—use a meat thermometer to erase any guesswork—to reduce the chances of you and your baby contracting a bacterial infection. Also be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw meat.