What NOT to do during the fragile days of pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and becoming a mother can be equally wonderful. Bearing a child comes with some really heavy emotions and also some serious responsibilities. Taking care of the fragile life inside you is a huge responsibility and asks for many things to be done the right way. No mother would want to have something go wrong with a pregnancy. There are hundreds of things a mother has to be careful of in order to have a healthy baby.
That being said it can get pretty confusing what all things a mother should avoid doing. People may come and give all sorts of advice that might actually contradict each other. We have compiled some well-researched points that can correctly guide pregnant women to NOT indulge in some activities. Let’s dive into it and understand the points in detail.
Do not eat these foods
Raw meat
Raw meat may sometimes contain traces of salmonella or toxoplasmosis which is extremely dangerous for a fetus. Meat that is not properly cooked should be avoided at all costs. Stay away from seafood that may not be cooked properly as well.
Fish
Not all fish are dangerous during pregnancy but fish with high levels of mercury must be avoided at all costs. Fish with high levels of mercury like shark, king mackerel, and swordfish should not be on your menu.
Raw Eggs
Just like raw meat, raw eggs also have a chance of containing salmonella. Raw eggs can be present in caesar dressings, mayonnaise and custards so you should probably stay away from them.
Stay away from wet paint
When the paint is wet it poses a huge huge threat to pregnant women as its fumes are quite toxic for the young life inside. The paints that are used to paint your house may have toxic chemicals and even the ones you use to paint on canvas in your free time. Not all kinds of paints are dangerous but it can be a little tough to keep track of the unsafe ones, thus it’s best to stay away from all of them till the time the little one isn’t born.
Avoid the daily morning coffee
Caffeine is known to increase your blood pressure and heart rate and is thus not suggested during pregnancy especially if you have a habit of consuming it on a daily basis. Caffeine is also known to cross the placenta which is harmful to the baby.
Many women feel the need for caffeine during pregnancy but they need to remember that the need is theirs and not the child growing inside them. The child’s metabolism is still being developed and it does not need caffeine in it.
A point to note is that caffeine is not just found in coffee but also in some chocolates, sodas, and medicines.
Medications
We understand that you know your body and you know what medicine to take for a certain ailment but when you are pregnant things can be very different. During pregnancy, a lot of medicines can be very harmful to your child. Remember that medicines mix in your blood which is also being shared by the child. Those medicines you take can cause some serious complications to your child.
A lot of medicines were linked to birth defects in children and thanks to a lot of research doctors now know what to prescribe to pregnant women and what to keep them away from. Thus it is always better to consult your doctor before taking any form of medication.
Exerting yourself is a bad idea
We understand that you still want to carry out your duties in the kitchen and around the house with cooking and cleaning. but it is not a very good idea to sit or stand for too long in one position. Call some domestic help to clean the house every once in a while or simply team up with your husband to do it. Don’t spend too much time in the kitchen either. Make simpler recipes, buy sharper Butcher knives or get a faster blender to help you get out of the kitchen a little quicker.
Sitting or standing for too long can result in some complications in your health which can easily, in turn, affect your child.
Might be hard but avoid heels
Fashion always plays a huge role in the lives of women and it does not matter if you are pregnant, we do not expect you to not dress up. But with life in your womb, you do have to take on some responsibilities and that does mean being extra careful while walking around. Heels are definitely not the best type of footwear to help tread carefully. Apart from simple balance issues they also result in swollen feet and ankles due to the extra weight of the womb. Try wearing simple flats or comfortable shoes while you are expecting.
Keep from relaxing in the hot tub
Hot tubs and saunas may sound relaxing and pregnant women might crave spending some time in relaxing hot water baths but it should be avoided at all costs. Research has shown that the temperature variation caused due to hot water baths can lead to some complications like birth defects. Thus it’s best to hold back that urge to stay too long in hot water and simply have a shower with lukewarm water till the time you are carrying the little one inside you.
A big no to smoking and alcohol
It is quite obvious that you need to be away from alcohol and smoking during your days of pregnancy. Both these things are quite harmful to a growing child. Smoking causes cancer and it is obvious that you would want yourself and your baby to stay away from such harm. It also causes other serious problems like miscarriage, premature delivery, and low birth weight. There are other problems linked with smoking or even secondhand smoke too but these should be enough to give you an idea of the dangers. Alcohol can also cause some very serious birth defects in your child thus it should be avoided till the time you have the child inside.
Getting pregnant can be exciting as well as nerve-wracking for a woman. It is not an easy job to bear a child as it comes with a ton of responsibilities and cautions. You have to watch every step and think twice before performing any actions.
