Youâve got a bun in the oven, and a million worries to go along with it. Stop stressing, mama! Hereâs what you should and shouldnât do while you’re expecting.
Do:
- Get a flu shot.
You can and should get vaccinated against the flu, especially if you are carrying in the flu season â the World Health Organization recommends it. Being sick with the flu during pregnancy can increase the risk for birth defects and premature labour.
- Visit your dentist.
Pregnancy hormones can affect the health of your gums, making them more likely to bleed and become inflamed. This may lead to infection and tooth decay. Save your pearly whites with regular and thorough dental cleanings.
- Take vitamins.
A healthy, balanced diet is the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need. But this may not be enough to support your growing baby, especially if youâre prone to morning sickness or follow a restricted diet. Take a prenatal multivitamin complex. These helpers contain high doses of nutrients needed during pregnancy, including folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, and Omega-3 fatty acids, and can assist with proper development of the foetus and help prevent birth defects. Ask your doctor to recommend a good prenatal vitamin.
Afraid to hit the gym because youâre pregnant? Donât be. Exercise can help you build endurance for labour, combat insomnia, and keep your weight in check. Before you break a sweat, check in with your doctor first. Ask them about exercises that are safe and comfortable for you and your baby.
- Sleep a lot.
Pregnancy can be physically and emotionally demanding, which can lead to sleeping difficulties. Being tired may worsen early pregnancy nausea and vomitting, so itâs important to get plenty of rest. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Set bedtimes and stick to them. Have a quick nap whenever you get the chance.
Donât:
- Eat raw meat.
Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and fish are big red flags as they carry the risk of food-borne illness. And, since pregnancy suppresses your immune system, you have a high chance of contracting life-threatening illnesses that could cause severe birth defects and even miscarriage. Make sure that everything you eat is well-cooked.
- Take a scalding hot bath.
It’s okay to take baths while you’re pregnant as long as the water isn’t too hot. Hot baths can increase your core temperature and cause your blood pressure to drop. This can deprive your baby of oxygen and nutrients, making birth defects and miscarriage more likely. Long, steamy baths can also lead to dizziness and fainting. Enjoy a warm, not hot, bath. Anything up to your normal body temperature is safe.
Smoking is detrimental to your babyâs growth, development, and health. Studies show that babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a low birth weight and learning disabilities. Stub out that cigarette for good and avoid passive smoking. The best time to do this is when you and your partner decide to start a family.
- Drink alcohol.
Any amount of alcohol at any time during pregnancy can harm your baby. Alcohol can affect your babyâs development and cause your baby to develop a serious condition called foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Symptoms of FAS include low birth weight, learning disabilities, and behavioural problems. Alcohol can also increase your risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth. For the sake of you and your baby, quit. If you need help, talk to your doctor.
- Overdo caffeine.
Go easy on caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks. The caffeine can travel through the placenta and increase your babyâs heart rate. This can cause your baby to be born with a lifelong heartbeat irregularity or, in rare cases, lead to death in the womb or during delivery. Limit your caffeine intake to 200ml a day, roughly one cup of coffee.
References:
- http://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dos-and-donts
- http://randfonteinherald.co.za/242016/pregnancy-dos-and-donts/
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm
- https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-true-that-pregnant-women-shouldnt-take-baths_10323724.bc
- https://www.fitpregnancy.com/gear/maternity-fashion/bathing-bliss
- http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/fetal-arrhythmia/