Pregnancy can be considered as one of the most thrilling yet worrisome times in a woman’s life which is why it is vital to be familiar with several pregnancy precautions.
Nevertheless, worrying about everything can make the three trimesters stressful. Remember that being familiar with what can be detrimental to your baby and what is not a real concern is the key to keeping your sanity intact during the 40 weeks.
What are the usual pregnancy precautions?
There are several pregnancy precautions that you must be aware of. It is vital to be mindful of various things during your pregnancy where some can be harmful than others. It is recommended to discuss with your doctor what must be avoided, what to lessen and what to be carefully considered during pregnancy.
Alcohol
As one of the important pregnancy precautions, it is vital to avoid alcohol. Although it seems harmless to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer with friends, the “safe” amount has not been fixed during pregnancy. It is important to note that fetal alcohol syndrome is brought about by excessive consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol is one of the usual causes of behavioral, physical and intellectual disabilities which makes it one of the precautions during early pregnancy to avoid miscarriage. It can be detrimental to a developing fetus than cocaine, heroin or marijuana. Alcohol can be easily passed to the baby whose body could not effectively get rid of it. As a result, the unborn baby is likely to develop an elevated level of alcohol which remains in the system for extended periods.
Caffeine
When pregnant, caffeine must be reduced or stop the intake which is one of the things to avoid in early pregnancy. Based on studies, the consumption of caffeine of more than 200-300 milligrams a day can put a pregnancy at risk.
Heavy consumption of caffeine has been associated with a high risk of miscarriage and possibly, other complications. Remember that caffeine is not only found in coffee. Cola, green and black tea and other soft drinks include caffeine. It is recommended to switch to decaffeinated products or caffeine-free alternatives.
Certain foods
Several foods might be contaminated with bacteria or contain heavy metals. There are certain considerations in the first month of the pregnancy diet. As one of the pregnancy precautions, try to avoid exposure to the following foods:
- Soft, unpasteurized cheeses such as goat, Brie, feta, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican queso fresco
- Unpasteurized milk, apple cider, and juices
- Paté or meat spreads
- Raw eggs or foods that contain raw eggs including raw cookie dough, mousse, tiramisu, homemade ice cream, eggnog, and Caesar dressing
- Processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats
- Raw or undercooked fish, meats or shellfish
It is vital to avoid foodborne ailments such as toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, and salmonella. These can be caused by the bacteria present in certain foods. These infections can be hazardous to an unborn baby and increase the risk of birth defects or even miscarriage.
Fruits and vegetables must be carefully washed since they might carry bacteria or coated with pesticide residue. Additionally, you must be mindful of what you are buying at the grocery or when dining out.
Changing the litter box
When you are pregnant, it is time to delegate the task of changing the litter box to someone else in the family.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection that spreads via soiled cat litter boxes. It can cause significant issues with the fetus including poor growth, prematurity, and severe eye and brain damage. A pregnant woman who acquires the infection often lacks symptoms but can transmit the infection to the developing baby.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Various medications should be avoided during pregnancy. As one of the pregnancy precautions, it is vital to consult a doctor regarding over-the-counter and prescription drugs that you can use and those that must be avoided.
Some over-the-counter medications must be avoided during pregnancy due to their potential effects on the baby. Even some prescription drugs can also harm the developing child. Even herbal remedies and supplements have not been regulated by the FDA. It simply means that they do not follow any safety standards and can be harmful to your baby.
Read also:
- [Risks of Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy]
- [Things to Know About a Woman’s Immune System During Pregnancy]
- [Baby Bumps: When Does Your Stomach Start to Get Big when you’re Pregnant?]
