Pregnancy marks the beginning of a new life. It's an experience that every woman wants to feel. However, this journey comes with lots of pressure about what to do and eat and what not. There is a constant bombardment of advice from the people around you which can be very overwhelming.
Relax! It is not that difficult. All you need to do is to focus on things that you should avoid and take better care of yourself.
Here are 8 common things to avoid during pregnancy
1) Alcohol and smoking : This goes without saying that you should avoid intake of alcohol and smoking. If you are a non-smoker, staying away from the smoke of cigarettes and other harmful substances is also very crucial.
These substances can negatively affect the growing fetus and lead to physical and mental abnormalities.
2) Uncooked food, meat, fish, and unpasteurized dairy products : Raw food, meat, and fish should be completely avoided during pregnancy. These may be contaminated with certain bacteria and substances such as mercury (a highly toxic element) which can increase the risk of infection. They can cause growth retardation in the growing fetus and in some cases miscarriage too.
It is very important to consume well-cooked meat, fish with low mercury content, and pasteurized dairy products.
3) Raw pineapple and papaya: You may be the victim of the myth that suggests not eating pineapple and papaya during pregnancy. Well, this is a half-truth. You can eat a well-ripened pineapple and papaya in moderation. But, be careful to avoid raw or unripen pineapple and papaya.
The raw form of these two fruits contains bromelain and latex which can soften the cervix and can lead to uterine contraction and bleeding.
4) Raw vegetables and sprouts: Raw vegetables and sprouts may seem healthy but not during pregnancy. They may increase the risk of foodborne infections as they are contaminated with Salmonella (a type of bacteria that can cause intestinal disease).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises pregnant ladies especially those with weak immune systems to avoid raw or lightly cooked sprouts at all. Eat properly cooked vegetables and sprouts to prevent the risk of infection.
5) Caffeine: If you are a coffee lover you need to be careful during pregnancy as large consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is linked with low birth weight at delivery. It also poses a higher risk of miscarriage.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has advised limiting the consumption of coffee to 200 mg a day.
6) Hot tubs and sauna: Avoid taking hot tubs and saunas during pregnancy as they raise the core temperature of your body. And according to some studies, this increased temperature is associated with birth defects.
7) Long travels: Long traveling is generally to be avoided during pregnancy. However, talk to your doctor about all the precautions to be taken if you have to travel.
8) Self-medication: Do not take any over-the-counter medication without discussing it with your doctor because many of them may be harmful to the growing fetus.
It is very important to take care of your mental, physical, and emotional needs during pregnancy. For a safe pregnancy follow all the instructions about exercise, food, and medicines given by your doctor.
Disclaimer: The content (video/text) presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.