top 10 things that are a big no no during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of cravings. You want to indulge in anything and everything, and it is the most heartbreaking thing when you are restricted. Unfortunately though, there are a lot of things that are simply too harmful to the little cutie growing inside you.

So here are the top 10 items that you should keep away from for the sake of your (very) little one.   

1. Drinking

Alcohol is the biggest “no” on this list. The effects of alcohol on your neonate are extremely harmful. Any type of alcoholic beverage is to be avoided by expecting mothers. The liquid would pass on to the fetus via the bloodstream and your baby will hold high risks of developing fetal alcohol syndrome. Also, it can result in mental and physical abnormalities.  

2. Smoking

It has serious effects on both you and your baby. You will not only be inhaling nicotine, carbon monoxide and other chemicals, but your baby will be inhaling all of this too. Smoking will increase the risk of premature birth, miscarriage, placental abruption and sudden infant death syndrome post delivery. Remember that even passive smoking will have the same effects on you.

3. Drugs

No matter how hard it is, you need to stop using illegal drugs while you are pregnant. Drugs cause complications during labour and to your baby. It not only causes premature birth and miscarriage, but also stillbirth. The pain to hold a baby that is not fully healthy is unbearable, so don’t let that ever happen. 

4. Stress

When you have a big responsibility like taking care of your young one in your womb, it is obvious that you will be stressed. However, try to meditate to calm yourself down now, as stress can have a lot of bad effects on your baby. It can lead to insomnia and constipation, making pregnancy a more difficult phase than it actually is. Hormonal changes can also lead to stress.  

5. Pets

Though the thought of your loving pets harming your baby seems odd, it is better to take precautions. Though cats don’t harm directly, their faeces can. Toxoplasmosis is an infection that transmits through cat faeces. Reptiles and amphibians carry the risk of salmonella bacteria. Birds can transmit infections like campylobacter, chlamydiosis, protozoan and salmonella.

6. Bug sprays

Though mosquito repellents can help you from diseases like dengue and malaria, they can also be harmful to you. They affect your central nervous system, which controls almost everything. So, it is better to stay away from bug sprays as much as staying away from dangerous bugs.

7. Running

If you have been used to running from before, it is okay for you to continue, but only till the first trimester. From the second trimester, it is advisable for you to not try running, as it will make the baby uncomfortable and also there is a high risk of falling down and injuring the baby as well as yourself. Don’t take a chance and rest as much as you can.

8. Amusement park rides

The riskiest outing during pregnancy is to an amusement park. Though they are really exciting for everyone, it is a good idea for you not go on any of the rides. Forceful landing and unexpected falls can harm your baby, and also result in premature birth.

9. Lifting weights 

Avoid lifting weights as much as you can, even if it is your shopping bag. You can injure yourself while carrying heavy things, so it is a good idea to make your husband a heavy weight lifting champion with all your bags. It can cause miscarriage during the first trimester and premature birth during the last trimester.   

10. Fish

Seafish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acid and other nutrients that are essential for you and your baby. But then again, make sure that you don’t have more than 12 ounces of fish or any seafood a week, as some of them contain high levels of mercury in them, which is harmful to your baby. Instead, you could choose fish like salmon and tuna, which have low levels of mercury and are safe to eat.