Anything during pregnancy that you can stop

Pregnancy is a time full of joy and a lot of sacrifices as well. Since you're responsible for another human being during these nine months, expectant moms are advised to err on the side of caution to keep themselves and their little one safe.



Does this mean that when your pregnancy test comes out positive, you must say goodbye to everything you love? No, but there are some changes you will have to make. Here's a thorough guide to anything you need to stop during pregnancy (and things can do instead, too).



Keep calm mom: Stuff that you give up during pregnancy


Basically, your baby eats what you eat, so keeping a well-balanced diet during pregnancy is vital to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need to develop. There are a few foods and beverages that should be avoided, besides just eating healthily. 


Alcohol: High risk High risk


Drinking during pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects such as low birth weight, premature delivery, and learning difficulties during pregnancy and after birth.



While heavy drinking (i.e. multiple drinks a day) normally causes more serious side effects, there is currently no documented "safe" amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy, says Jasmine Johnson, M.D., a former OBGYN resident-turned Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow.



For now, make non-alcoholic cocktail swaps, such as toast instead of champagne with sparkling cider.


Mercury Fish High: High Risk


Too much mercury during pregnancy can affect the vision and hearing of your infant, so it's important to restrict your exposure during pregnancy to fish that contain high levels of mercury.



The bigger a fish is as a general rule of thumb, the more likely it is to consume other fish for food, raising the amount of mercury it produces. Stop sticking to smaller fish such as cod, tilapia, and salmon, such as swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel.



Canned tuna is OK in moderation but if possible, try to select the chunk light variety instead of solid albacore.


Sprouts


For bacteria such as E.coli and listeria, raw alfalfa, clover, and mung bean sprouts are breeding grounds, so the law here is the same as for deli meat and soft cheese. If you can't thoroughly cook your sprouts, stop them for now.


Foods Unpasteurized: High Risk


It is wise to avoid all unpasteurized dairy products during pregnancy, including milk, eggs, and cheeses. In persons with vulnerable immune systems, such as pregnant women, the pasteurization process destroys dangerous bacteria that can cause illness. Still prefer, during pregnancy, pasteurized products.


Caffeine: Medium-sized risk


Moderate levels of caffeine are considered OK during pregnancy, but it does move through the placenta. Some reports indicate that high doses of caffeine may contribute to miscarriage, although it has not been verified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).



"The most recent study cannot prove that the miscarriages were related to caffeine consumption versus an abnormal pregnancies to begin with (which is the most frequent cause of miscarriage)," Dr. Johnson states.



Make sure you don't get more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, cumulatively, to play it healthy. When you exceed your daily limit, turn over to naturally caffeine-free drinks such as herbal tea, milk and water.


Meat Deli: Medium Chance


Listeriosis can be caused by cold meat, whether from the deli counter or the tub of leftovers in your fridge. It is rare, but your turkey sandwich could make you very sick during pregnancy (and, unfortunately, listeriosis is one of the few infections that can cross the placenta, so your baby could also get really sick).



Just miss the cold cuts or just cook them up first in the microwave. They're safe to eat if you heat them until they're 165 degrees.


Eggs and Fresh Seafood: High Risk


Raw seafood or sushi containing raw fish is unhealthy to consume during pregnancy, and all sorts of bacteria and parasites that can make you seriously sick during pregnancy could be infected. For fresh or undercooked eggs, the same goes.



Make sure that all dishes containing seafood and eggs are thoroughly cooked and choose the California roll or a veggie roll instead of the sashimi at your favorite sushi spot.


Undercooked meat: average chance


You can always chow down when pregnant on burgers and chicken wings, but to kill any bacteria that may be residing on the raw meat, they should be well-cooked. It wouldn't make your child ill, but it might be very nasty for you to get a salmonella infection during pregnancy.



Pork and poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees and you should at least order those medium-good steaks and burgers.


Soft Cheese: Average Chance


Pregnant women are recommended to stop eating soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert until they have been cooked to reduce the chance of listeria in a casserole or other dish. Stop these cheeses or choose pasteurized alternatives.



One of the main types of items to avoid during pregnancy is medicine and supplements, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC).



Since your infant shares your blood supply, your placenta can be crossed by medications that are transmitted into your bloodstream and have adverse effects on the health of your baby. During pregnancy, no drug is 100 percent safe to take, but some are necessary and safer than others.


Before taking any prescription or OTC drug, always consult your OBGYN. You may also search the FDA's list of pregnancy categories for common medicines in a pinch. Where clinically required, Category A and B drugs are usually considered safe, with several other groups ranked from there.

Pain Relievers from NSAID: High Risk


The effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen have been well studied and these medicines pose a risk to your baby in the form of birth defects and internal organ damage, but in the first trimester the risk is greatest.



"After that it may be okay to take NSAIDs for a short period of time, up to 32 weeks," says Dr. Johnson, "however you should consult with your doctor."



Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred painkiller for pregnant women, instead of NSAIDs, since it is associated with less harmful effects.


Prescription Drugs for Acne: High Risk


Prescription acne drugs such as isotretinoin and spironolactone have been related to severe birth defects, so you can immediately avoid taking them if you become pregnant.



Discuss how best to manage your acne during pregnancy with your OBGYN or dermatologist.


OTC Common Drugs: Medium Risk 


During pregnancy, many OTC medications are safe to use, but just as many are not. For example, antidiarrheals, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays and expectorants are often categorized as Category C medicines, which implies that they are at some potential risk.



Before taking any OTC medication during pregnancy, always consult with your doctor.


Antidepressants and drugs for anti-anxiety: risk based


You should not have to trade the physical health of your baby for your mental health. Some antidepressants carry a sufficiently low risk that it is worth continuing to take them, particularly if you or your baby may be at greater health risk if they are not taken.



Some medications such as Paxil, however have been related to potential adverse effects on the fetus and a less-problematic medication should be avoided or switched out. 



One thing to note: never quit taking any medicine, including antidepressants, cold turkey, only because you're having a positive pregnancy test.



"If a woman has a concern about a particular medication, she should discuss a plan for stopping it safely with her doctor before she discontinues the medication," Dr. Johnson suggests.


Antibiotics: Depending on Risk


Both antibiotics bear some risks, much like antidepressants, but some are more likely than others to lead to malformations or defects. The tetracycline class of antibiotics should generally be avoided, whereas antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin are generally considered safe enough to take (especially if an infection that may also pose a health risk to your baby is being treated).



A Note concerning Supplements

Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, but unless your doctor has explicitly told you to, it's best to stop taking any extra vitamins or minerals during pregnancy.

A prenatal vitamin, which will be full of many of the most valuable nutrients you need but may not already be in your diet, can and should be taken. If you're still concerned about a shortage, try to get as many vitamins and minerals as possible from real food sources (so eat lots of oranges and broccoli rather than popping a vitamin C supplement).


According to a Dietitian, The 7 Best Prenatal Vitamins of 2020


Perhaps you've been given radiant skin and luscious hair by pregnancy, or perhaps you're left looking like a wet cat. You want to have a mani/pedi? That's all right, but some other therapies aren't. 


Chemical Peels and Botox Injections: High Risk


You're actually injecting a drug into the bloodstream when you use Botox for cosmetic or medical purposes. And the application of chemical exfoliants directly to your skin literally requires chemical peels.



Since you should prevent exposure during pregnancy to needless chemicals and toxins, you should wait until after birth for these procedures.


Extreme heat-involving beauty treatments: high risk


You can overheat very quickly during pregnancy; if your core body temperature goes high enough to last long enough it can cause birth defects.



Avoid beauty treatments that require exposure to elevated or concentrated heat levels, including tanning salons, body wraps, hot stone treatments, and saunas or steam rooms.



Using a bronzer or tanning cream if you're unable to go without a glow.


Items containing retinoids, formaldehyde and hydroquinone for skin care: Medium danger


We may not have a lot of proof that these items are harmful to a fetus, but most of them fall into the categories C and D because experts believe that they pose a danger.



Speak to your doctor if you have been a frequent user of a product containing one of these components and are trying to find a safe replacement. They will work with you to find an alternative.


Tattoos or Piercings: Medium Chance


During pregnancy, the risk of any form of infection is higher, so even if your favorite tattoo parlor follows strict hygiene standards, a "safe" piercing or tattoo could lead to a serious infection. Keep them down just after the baby arrives.



When pregnant, is it safe to have a piercing?

Whitening of Teeth: Mild Chance


Whitening products have not been tested during pregnancy for protection, so most dentists recommend that you avoid treatments at home or professionally. However you should usually brush with a whitening toothpaste, as well as adhere to the list of best practices for safe, white teeth from the American Dental Association.


Physical Task


You can maintain a healthy workout schedule during pregnancy with your physician's approval. But, until after the baby arrives, certain things should be put on hold.


Activities of Injury-Prone: High Risk


You could stop this if you should collapse during a physical activity (such as horseback riding, skiing or snowboarding, ice skating) or if a projectile (think soccer, https://teachmixer.com/coloring-pages/baseball/ baseball, or tennis) could actually strike you in the abdomen.



The organ is not bulletproof, even though your baby is well-protected in your uterus; serious abdominal injuries can cause placental abruption. Stick to sports of low effects, such as swimming, running on the treadmill and taking a spin class.


Exercise


Yoga is a great, low-impact way to keep yourself fit and flexible during pregnancy, but hot yoga could cause serious dehydration and a dangerous elevation to your core body temperature with its high temps and strenuous exercise. A better option is traditional or prenatal yoga courses.


Climbing the Mountains: Medium Chance


There's the danger of dropping, but also the risk of altitude sickness. Exposure to high altitudes during pregnancy, especially if you are not acclimated to them can affect the oxygenation of your infant.



You should try indoor rock climbing if you like the sport. Not all centers would encourage you to join while you are pregnant, but it is not immediately risky to do so as long as you are experienced and approved by your doctor.


Diving in Scuba: Medium Risk


Scuba diving, similar to mountain climbing, increases the chances of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen, which may affect the growth of your infant. However, snorkeling and swimming are perfectly safe!


Medium Risk


There's not a big weight lifting risk for your kid, but there's one for you. Pregnancy hormones loosen your joints and ligaments and relax them, making you much more vulnerable to injury.



With light weights, you can do a basic arm workout, but it is better to miss any intense weightlifting workouts unless you are a professional athlete with your doctor's approval.


Lifestyle Operations


During pregnancy, many aspects of your life will change. Most of your favorite interests, routines, and day-to-day activities will encourage you to hold on, but some of them aren't safe with a baby on board.


Smoking and drug use for leisure: High risk


Higher rates of fetal organ injury, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), premature birth, and childhood asthma, among other negative effects, have been associated with these activities. You should leave ASAP if you haven't started doing them already.


, High Risk


To minimize your risk of birth defects and miscarriage, it's important to avoid anything that can cause excessive overheating during pregnancy, including hot tubs. Only stick with the pool instead!


Roller coasters: average chance


Jostling, bumping, spinning, upside-down inverting-roller coasters are fun, but because of their jerky motions, high speeds, pressure shifts, and possible effects on your abdomen, they are typically not suitable for pregnant women.



There are no official research on this, although several experts recommend that it is a common-sense precaution. Hang out around the arcade or carnival games and save after birth for the roller coaster.


Heavy Lifting: Low Threat


Much like weightlifting, because of the changes to your body, strenuous exercise during pregnancy can lead to injury more easily.



Ask for help with raising and carrying heavy things and make sure you stretch beforehand and lift with your legs, not your back, if you absolutely need to lift something.


Exposures to the environment: medium risk


Every day we all come into contact with environmental contaminants, but during pregnancy, you have to be extra careful. It is safer to prevent needless X-rays and exposure, both of which can be associated with birth defects and miscarriage, to lead, mercury and pesticides.



Take sufficient care to prevent toxoplasmosis if you have an outdoor cat or do a lot of gardening: wear gloves when changing your cat's litter and gardening or make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after these activities.


Stress: The Low Risk


Stress may not do any harm to you or your baby in the short term, but over time, the cumulative effects of stress may cause high blood pressure, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other chronic conditions.



During pregnancy, taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial, so make sure to take time to relax and control your levels of stress.

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