Overview

Before they arrive, you’re in charge of ensuring that your small bundle of joy grows in a supportive, healthy environment.

This list of pregnancy don’ts can help you figure out what you shouldn’t worry about while you’re expecting.

Pregnancy Don’ts:

1. Don’t smoke

Babies born to pregnant women who smoke have a lower birth weight and are more likely to develop learning problems than children born to nonsmoking moms.

Due to physiologic nicotine addiction, children born to smoking mothers are more prone to attempt smoking at a younger age and become regular smokers sooner.

2. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol can have a significant impact on your baby’s development. People who consume alcohol while pregnant may give birth to a child who has fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

FAS symptoms include:

Low weight at birth

Learning impairments can lead to behavioral issues.

In terms of growth and development milestones, there are lagging tendencies.

Alcohol, even in little amounts, can be harmful. There appears to be no such thing as a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you need help quitting drinking while pregnant. The sooner you seek assistance, the healthier your baby will be.

LEARN MORE: THERE ARE SEVEN THINGS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT STROKE

3. Avoid eating raw meat.

Foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis can be contracted from raw or undercooked meat and eggs. It’s also possible that you’ll get food poisoning.

These infections can result in serious, life-threatening illnesses, as well as birth deformities and even miscarriage. If you’re pregnant, make sure all of the eggs and meat you eat are well cooked.

4. Avoid eating deli meat.

Foodborne illnesses like listeriosis and toxoplasmosis can be spread through deli foods including hot dogs, sausages, smoked salmon, and other cured meats.

Sliced meats offer a lot more surface area for bacteria to thrive on. Cooking these processed proteins thoroughly lowers your risk.

Pasteurized (not raw) milk and cheese are also essential. To help eliminate hazardous bacteria, always wash produce.

5. Avoid milk products that have not been pasteurized.

Calcium is essential for growing newborns, but mothers must be cautious about how they obtain it from dairy.

It’s not a good idea to drink raw milk.

Because it is unpasteurized, it is a trusted source for expectant moms. This indicates that it has not been cooked to destroy microorganisms that could make you sick.

Listeria is a bacteria that can be found in raw milk. It has the potential to cause illness, miscarriage, or even death.

6. Avoid using a hot tub or sauna.

The high-heat atmosphere of hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and saunas may be too harmful for expectant mothers, despite how pleasant they seem.

In fact, utilizing one of them during your first trimester may quadruple your risk of miscarriage, according to study. Soaking in hot water raises body temperature, which can pose issues for the infant, including an increased risk of birth abnormalities.

7. Limit your caffeine intake.

Caffeine can pass through the placenta and raise the heart rate of your baby.

According to current studies, women can safely drink a cup or two of coffee each day while pregnant, but avoid a triple-shot latte.

8. Do not clean the litter box of the cat.

Pet your pet as much as you like and then wash your hands  but don’t clean a cat’s litter box.

Millions of bacteria and parasites live in feline feces. Toxoplasma gondii, in particular, is extremely harmful to expectant mothers.

If you get it, you might not know until you start having problems with your pregnancy. It’s possible to have a miscarriage or a stillbirth. This parasite can cause major health problems in babies, including convulsions and mental disorders.

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