Once you’re pregnant, it can feel like everyone suddenly has an opinion on what you can or can’t do. “Don’t touch cats, it’s bad luck!” your friends recommend. “Drink this herbal soup, it will make sure the baby is healthy!” says your mother. “Perhaps a new medicine could help with morning sickness?” suggests your hubby.
Putting aside well-meaning friends and relatives, trying to search for pregnancy information can be a dizzying affair. There are so many books, magazines, and online articles that it’d be impossible to read it all. If in doubt, bear in mind that it’s always better to err on the side of caution and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about anything you’re not sure about. Whatever it is that you have to abstain during your pregnancy, we assure you that it will be worth it…
For the most part, new mothers might be pleased to learn that pregnancy only has a few hard and fast rules about what you definitely should or should not do. Below is a list of items or activities that should be avoided during pregnancy.
Table of Contents
Food
When it comes to food, it’s important to avoid anything that might make you ill or harm your baby. If you’re eating out, try to avoid the following ingredients:
- Raw meat
- Shellfish
- Raw fish
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Raw eggs
- Caffeine
Generally speaking, your food should be cooked properly. Undercooked, raw, or processed meat is dangerous because it increases your risk of infection from bacteria or parasites such as E.coli, Toxoplasma, and Salmonella. Aside from that, make sure that all produce is washed properly and that you consume healthy meals rather than junk food.
Alcohol
Stay away from alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer, liquor, etc. There is no ‘safe level’ of alcohol that you can consume during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy, are already pregnant, or even breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether as it can harm your baby and potentially cause issues such as premature birth, fetal alcohol disorders, or brain damage.
Smoking
Smoking is a bad habit – not just for you, but for your baby too. Even if you personally don’t smoke, secondhand smoke can be almost as bad for your health. Secondhand smoke contains roughly 4,000 chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer. Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke should be avoided during your pregnancy as it can lead to issues such as miscarriage, premature delivery, or sudden infant death syndrome.
Hot Baths
While it might be tempting to enjoy a long, hot bath or sauna, it’s advisable to skip such activities during your pregnancy due to the risk of overheating or dehydration. During pregnancy, many women will tend to feel warmer than usual thanks to their hormonal changes and increased blood supply to the skin.
If you’re in a hot environment such as a sauna, jacuzzi or hot tub, your body’s core temperature will rise. If it gets too high, the temperature changes may affect your unborn baby’s development, especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Be Prepared
Make sure to use a trustworthy pregnancy test such as Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Conception Indicator in order to confirm your pregnancy.
This handy, high-tech device gives you double confirmation of the result. It doesn’t just show whether or not you’re pregnant but even tells you how many weeks along you are. With its advanced digital display, you can get the most accurate pregnancy test reading in early pregnancy, making sure that you have plenty of time to prepare.
