10 Things to Avoid During Pregnancy

Tanya Mayer - 30 Oct 18

We are creatures of habits – that’s how we’re built. As a result, we have a tendency to indulge in routines (even negative ones) for the sake of physical or mental comfort. But there are times when sticking to our patterns are detrimental and being pregnant is a perfect example.

During pregnancy, everything is ‘rearranged’ within the body or sometimes turned completely upside down. Your favorite food might suddenly become unbearable and dishes that made no impression on you before might upgrade to frequent need-to-eat items.

And that’s not even half of it; the list of foods you should stay away from those nine months is enough to turn your ‘cry baby’ mode on cheeses, raw meats, raw sprouts, sushi and pâtés (including the vegetables ones) are just a few of the restrictions.

The major No-No’s: Alcohol & Cigarettes

The occasional glass of wine has not hurt anyone so far if they’re not pregnant but otherwise don’t take the risk; it’s never worth the consequences. Know that an intake of alcohol (however small) directly intersects with the placenta and the baby. In such a frail condition, early life-stage effects are significant and (in many cases) irreversible. If it turns out your baby’s health was affected by careless actions on your part, how will you ever live with that?

While there might still be voices that support the ‘once in a while glass of wine’, no one in their right mind, could possibly encourage you to keep smoking. Let’s try a simple thought experiment: just imagine your unborn child breathing while you smoke. Not really a soothing scenario, huh?

Smoking during and even after pregnancy triggers an array of risks, including SIDS (the sudden infant death syndrome); if you’ve ever toyed with the idea of quitting, now you have the best motivation to do so.

Self-medication No More

Sure, over-the-counter drugs sound harmless enough, but your internal chemistry is quite a different story when you’re pregnant. Even a mild vitamin supplement can take your body out of balance, with an immediate effect on the baby. So, proceed with care and consult with your physician in all dietary matters.

The Morning Booster

You’re right, coffee flavored mornings are some of life’s undeniable pleasures and, if you’ve been best friends with your espresso cup for a while, it’s clearly hard to renounce it. But you don’t have to, just be generous when you add milk to the mixture and you can keep enjoying your favorite morning boost. As an alternative, there are lots of decaf options that you could probably switch to.

Temperature Control

No matter how appealing they might seem, high-heated environments (such as saunas or long sunbathing sessions) can put a lot of stress on you and your baby. As a general rule: avoid any circumstance that can lead to dehydration – that’s a particularly harmful factor for the undeveloped fetus.

You should definitely find ways to relax but think calming music and swimming pool visits instead of deep tissue massage or beach marathons.

Stay Active but Beware Your Early Warning System

For many of us, shopping is something to look forward to – it means shop-hopping, seeing new trends, trying on clothes and (maybe) buying some of them. It’s fun and engaging and you get to spend time with your (girl) friends as well. Great! But, if you’re pregnant, pay attention to fatigue signs and stop while you’re ahead.

Pets in the Picture

While they are great companions and teachers for youngsters, you need to avoid contact with litter boxes or (eventual) open injuries during pregnancy – you don’t want to expose your baby to unfriendly bacteria and/or parasites.

Baby-Loving Décor

Let us guess, you’ve already started working on the new baby room – of course, that’s a must. However, artsy ideas aside, consider the quality and (chemical) properties of the paint you want to use. It may sometimes sound like just a small detail, but it’s actually a safety issue to seriously keep in mind

Sunshine and Rainbows

Ok, the ‘no-no’ list is almost over – time to cap it off by saying that getting stressed is also something you should avoid. So, future mommy: stay close to your loved ones, stop and smell the roses, get plenty of rest and remember to keep your spirits up, always.

Final Thoughts

Going through pregnancy is not easy; there are restrictions to consider and unexpected situations to deal with on short notice. Everyone reacts differently, but moderation, gut-instinct, and your doctor’s input will definitely be useful. You know what you need to do and how to do it – you can do this, we’re all rooting for you!

Tanya Mayer

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