Pregnancy is a time of excitement and expectation for most couples. While there are few things that pregnant women cannot do throughout their pregnancy, a few lifestyle modifications must be made to ensure that the baby’s and mother’s health is not jeopardised in any way. The first four months of pregnancy are extremely important, and extra caution should be exercised during this time due to the significant risk of miscarriage and abortion. This article examines what every pregnant woman should avoid, depending on her risk factor.
To grow and develop, the foetus requires nourishment. This is mostly obtained through the mother’s food, which is why maintaining a well-balanced diet at this period is critical. Aside from focusing on a healthy and nutritious food to ensure that the embryo’s Organogenesis (development) proceeds smoothly, the diet must also be high in vitamins and proteins to aid in blood production. During pregnancy, it is critical to focus on fresh, healthy home-cooked meals and to limit the consumption of junk and processed foods, which are heavy in calories and give no nutrients.
It is not only harmful but also irresponsible to consume alcohol when pregnant. When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, the alcohol crosses the placenta and affects the fetus, resulting in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Physical deformities, intellectual difficulties, behavioral issues, seizures, poor growth, developmental delays, and impaired coordination and fine motor skills in the unborn child are all examples of these illnesses. Because there is no definitive evidence of how much alcohol is safe to ingest during pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid consuming alcohol for the duration of the pregnancy.
Fish, unpasteurized food, raw eggs, and sprouts all carry a high risk of contamination. Mercury is found in small amounts in practically all foods and is not harmful. The quantity of Mercury in fish, on the other hand, is rather high, which can be dangerous because it can damage a baby’s eyesight and hearing. Large fish such as swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel should be avoided, but lesser fish such as cod, tilapia, shrimp, and salmon can be eaten if you enjoy fish.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements are dangerous to take during pregnancy. This is because the unborn kid in the womb shares the mother’s blood supply, and medications can cross the placenta and harm the baby’s health if they are transferred through the bloodstream. While no medicine is completely safe to take while pregnant, some are required—and are safer than others. If a woman has to take medicine during her period, she should only do so after seeing her doctor or gynecologist. Also, if a woman is taking medicine on a doctor’s prescription, she should not stop taking it merely because she is pregnant; instead, she should visit a doctor about a future treatment plan.
