7 Things To Keep Away During Your Second Trimester

Most women feel that taking proper care in the first 3 months of the pregnancy is the most important thing. But that’s not the case, every trimester and every other week of pregnancy demands special care.

Here are 7 things that you should avoid during your second trimester:

1. Avoid sleeping on your back for long

The growing uterus can cause pressure on the spinal cord and the important blood vessels in that area. The pressure caused on the blood vessels can affect the blood circulation in the body and the oxygen supply to the baby.

2. Avoid wearing heels

The body, especially the spine, is continuously trying to adapt to the pressure caused due to the increasing weight and the size of the uterus. Wearing pointy heels during such times can lead to an increase in pressure and the risk of disbalance or a fall. Wearing such heels can also lead to pressure on the ankle and other ligaments in the feet and lead to swelling and pain. Pointy heels or stilettos also lead to discomfort to the baby by changing the uterus position.

3. Avoid excess caffeine

Consuming excess coffee or any other caffeinated drinks can affect the heart rate of the baby. Caffeine, when it reaches the baby through the placenta, can lead to an increased heart rate.

4. Avoid high-intensity workouts and sports

Practicing high-intensity workouts and dangerous sports can exhaust your body and also lead to physical trauma. This can affect the blood and oxygen supply to the baby, lead to dehydration and other pregnancy complications.

5. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption

Smoking or tobacco chewing can lead to birth defects, premature birth, and impaired fetal growth. Alcohol is known to be liked with various birth defects, risk of miscarriage, premature birth, mental disabilities, delayed brain development, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

6. Avoid being your doctor

Avoid taking any medication without consulting your doctor. A lot of drugs can easily pass through the placenta and affect the baby’s growth.

7. Avoid unhealthy snacking

Your appetite tends to increase in the second trimester. Unhealthy snacking due to hunger or craving can lead to weight gain. Avoid processed foods, fried foods, and snacks high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy calories. Too much weight gain can affect the growth of the baby and increase the risk of conditions like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, etc.