Are Your Pregnant? If Yes, You Need To Read This
Activities to Avoid while pregnant
Pregnancy takes lot of compromises and tradeoffs. Many of the activities which were as natural as breathing for the mother need to be given up for the sake of the developing fetus. Given below is a comprehensive list of what to avoid during those 9 months-
Smoking: Smoking or being around people who are smoking is a big no for the expectant mother. The effects of such smoking can be extremely hazardous which includes spontaneous miscarriage, pre-term labor, low-weight full term baby, infant deaths etc.
Drinking alcohol: Alcohol is always harmful to the expectant mother, regardless of the amount or frequency. The more exposure a fetus gets to alcohol, more the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). This causes malfunctions and skeletal system, nervous system and is the number one cause leading to severe mental retardation.
Taking illegal/over-the-counter drugs- During pregnancy, the expectant mother should steer clear of any type of illegal drugs which might cause low birth weight, central nervous system damage and many physical malformations. Even over-the-counter drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided at this time.
Eating fish/ uncooked meat- Fishes which are known to have a high concentration of mercury should be avoided as it is known to severely affect the developing brain of the fetus. Similarly, raw meat carries a risk of coli form bacteria, salmonella etc. which are known to cause miscarriage, still birth or brain damage.
Taking long hot baths/using electric blanket- Hot baths raise the body temperature and there is immense risk to the fetus if the mother's body temperature rises above 102F. On the other hand, studies have shown that even low level exposure to electromagnetic fields cause cell damage. This is particularly harmful during the early stage when the fetus is going through cell formation. Hence, the mother should stay away from electric blankets, water beds and even microwaves.
Exposure to pesticides/fumes from paints- The expectant mother should stay away from all types of pesticides. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before consuming. Exposure to pesticides may lead to developmental delays in the fetus. Similarly fumes from paints and other house-cleaning products contain a large amount of toxic elements and hence should be avoided.
Cleaning cat litter boxes- Cat's feces carries a parasite which causes toxoplasmosis which can result in still-birth. Birth defects, ectopic pregnancy etc. If the cat has been there for a long time, a vet should be consulted to check whether it is carrying any such diseases.
Indulging in sports- A little exercising is without doubt beneficial for both the mother and the child. But too much of strenuous physical activity may lead to rise in body temperature and in certain cases there are risks of injury and fall. Hence it is best to avoid sport activities like cycling, skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, horseback riding, contact sports like soccer or hockey, gymnastics etc. Also, carrying heavy weights or doing yoga or Pilates which requires lying on back is a big no.
Others- Certain activities like taking caffeine, dental x-rays, vaccines are controversial regarding their harmfulness. It is always better to check with the health provider before going for any of these.
Are Your Pregnant? If Yes, You Need To Read This
By: Bhuvaneshwari Manoharan Stay Fit while Pregnant Fertility Issues - Reasons Of Not Getting Pregnant Underweight and Trying to Get Pregnant? What To Eat When Pregnant: Detoxing From Sugar And Caffeine How Can I Prevent Varicose Veins When I Am Pregnant The Purposes Of Quitting Coffee While Pregnant Top Five Steps and Tips on How to Get Pregnant How you can Get Pregnant Rapidly - 4 Natural Ways Can You Really Relieve Labor Pain By Exercising While Pregnant? Fertility Solutions for older Mothers - Curing Infertility and Getting Pregnant at forty two Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage: Explore Your Chances Why You Need To Know About How To Get Pregnant Of A Boy How To Get Pregnant Temperature: Natural Fertility Indicator