I want to paint and decorate the nursery before the baby is born. Is it safe to do?
I love relaxing in a hot tub. Is it safe to do?
I need a couple of cups of coffee in the morning to get moving. Is it safe to do?
There are many questions to ask about what is safe and what isn’t while pregnant. What you do or don’t do now can have a huge impact on the life of your child.
Listed below are some things you should definitely avoid. If in doubt always consult your health care provider.
Alcohol & Smoke
Complete avoidance of alcohol and smoke(both first and second hand – second hand smoke is smoke you breathe from others smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes.).
Infections
1. Stay away from anyone who has rubella or is ill if possible – keep current with your own immunizations
2. Sexually transmitted diseases(herpes etc.) can cause birth defects that may kill or cause disabilities, handicaps or other serious health problems for your baby
Wash hands often after using the bathroom, handling raw meat or fish, unwashed vegetables, handling pets, gardening and caring for small children to protect yourself and your unborn baby from diseases.
Certain foods to avoid
1. soft, unpasteurized cheese such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert and blue cheese
2. unpasteurized milk, juices and apple cider
3. raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing
4. raw or undercooked meats, fish(sushi) or shellfish
5. processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats(unless reheated until steaming
6. high mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna steak
Cat litter
Let someone else change litter box If you have an outdoor cat wear gloves when you garden.
Caffeine
Colas, iced tea, chocolate, coffee or anything with caffeine (These increase the risk of miscarriage.)
Some medications
Both prescribed and over the counter as well as herbal remedies and vitamins. Do not take aspirin, Advil, Orudis KT or Naprosyn. Talk to your health care provider before you take anything.
Diet sodas
Aspartame and saccharin may be harmful
Radiation
Make sure your dentist covers you with the lead apron
Hair dye
The dye is absorbed through the mother’s skin and enters the bloodstream
Hot tubs and tanning beds
These raise your temperature so that blood does not get to the growing unborn baby
Household hazards
Anything marked poison or that produces fumes– paints, solvents, weed or bug killers, oven cleaner, aerosol containers (This is a good time to “go green” and use more earth friendly cleaning products such as baking soda and vinegar.)
High impact sports and exercise
No sit ups, deep knee bends, double leg raises, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, surfing, scuba diving, for example. Do continue to exercise in other ways.
Lifting anything heavy
If necessary to do, lift with your legs and not your back – pregnant women’s ligaments are looser and may be injured
This may seem like a lot of DON’TS but there are many alternatives for each of these things. Enjoy having an excuse to get out of doing some jobs. Just remember that you are avoiding all of these things in order to give your baby the best chance at a healthy life. That is part of the job of every good mother.
Enjoy all of the wonderful things you can do and knowing that you are doing what is best for your baby.
Women’s Center-Sidney is located behind Culver’s Restaurant at 2579 Michigan Avenue near Walmart. Women can make a free initial appointment online by going to www.womenscenterohio.com and going to the Sidney location page. To schedule an appointment over the phone or to learn more about the pregnancy services we provide, call 937-498-4425. We can be reached by email at info@womenscenterohio.com. All Women’s Center-Sidney’s services are free and confidential.
