What Not To Do Or Eat When Pregnant

Consume Too Much Caffeine

Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect the fetus, just like alcohol, so its important not to consume too much caffeine while youre expecting.

Its recommended to limit caffeine intake to less than 300 milligrams per day, as many researchers believe that higher amounts can negatively affect the fetus and contribute to pregnancy health problems such as miscarriage and low birth weight. A typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains around 130 mg of caffeine.

If you find it difficult to give up coffee while pregnant, just be sure to monitor how much you ingest.

Low-to-moderate caffeine intake in pregnancy does not appear to be associated with any adverse effects, so if you find it difficult to give up coffee while pregnant, just be sure to monitor how much you ingest.

Raw Or Partially Cooked Eggs

Make sure that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the whites and yolks are solid. This prevents the risk of salmonella food poisoning. Dont eat foods that contain raw and undercooked eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise. If you wish to have dishes that contain raw or partially cooked eggs, consider using pasteurised liquid egg. Dont use cracked or dirty eggs.

Things To Do During The First Trimester

There are some must-do things during the first trimester of pregnancy. Getting prenatal care from a doctor or midwife is important. Making sure that your body is getting all of the vitamins and nutrients that it needs is critical, too.

Keeping yourself healthy, well-rested, and mentally well are all important things to do during the first trimester of pregnancy.

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Can Pregnant Women Have Seafood

Seafood is a good choice for pregnant women, but it is important to be careful with the type of fish you eat and where itâs sourced from. Seafood thatâs high in mercury poses a risk to your babyâs developing nervous system, which is why itâs important to avoid older, larger fish that could contain higher quantities of mercury.

To be safe, itâs best to avoid

• shark

• tile fish

• raw shellfish like oysters and clams.

For the latest information on fish caught in local waters, check with your state health department or with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

When preparing fish and shellfish, itâs also important that you cook

• fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, until the flakes are opaque

• shrimp, lobster, and scallops until they turn milky white in color

• clams, mussels, and oysters until the shells open. Throw away those shells that remain closed.

You may also be wondering whether pregnant women can eat sushi. Uncooked fish and shellfish come with an increased risk of harmful bacteria, so avoid sushi made with uncooked fish or shellfish, as well as refrigerated smoked fish, like salmon. The good news? There are plenty of sushi alternatives you can eat while pregnant, like vegetarian sushi or sushi rolls made with cooked fish or seafood, like shrimp tempura.

If you do want to consume sprouts, make sure you cook them thoroughly.

For a handy checklist of foods and drinks not to eat during pregnancy, check out the below:

Pregnancy: What To Eat And What To Avoid

If you’re pregnant and confused about what you can and cant eat, youre not alone. It’s as much about including foods that can be beneficial to your baby as it is about avoiding foods that may be harmful. You neednt feel deprived during these exciting nine months if you know the facts.

Advice changes and differs from country to country. This information is consistent with the NHS advice.

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Liver And Other Foods Containing Vitamin A

Avoid liver and liver products, such as liver pâté and liver sausage. Liver products have lots of vitamin A in them. This can be harmful to an unborn baby. It is not safe to take multivitamins containing vitamin A or fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil. It is fine to eat low levels of vitamin A found naturally in foods like carrots. But it is important to avoid any foods that have vitamin A added . It is okay to use cosmetic products, like face cream, that contain vitamin A.

Do Take A Multivitamin

Eating a balanced diet thats rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to provide your body with all of the healthy nutrients it needs to support a growing baby. A healthy diet alone, however, may not be enough for pregnancy.

Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of certain nutrients that expectant mothers require at higher doses, such as:

• folic acid
• calcium
• iron

These vitamins assist with proper development of the fetus and help prevent birth defects. Your doctor can help you find a multivitamin or a series of vitamins that are best for you.

A multivitamin will usually include DHA, EPA, or both. These are omega-3 fats that are important for your babys proper brain development.

Dont take more than one dose of multivitamins, though. Some vitamins in higher amounts can be harmful to the baby.

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Dont Drink Too Much Caffeine

More than 60% of women who checked their caffeine intake on our caffeine calculator were surprised to find that they were over the limit. High levels of caffeine during pregnancy can result in low birth weight babies, which can increase the risk of health problems in later life. Too much caffeine has also been linked to miscarriage.

Say No To Solid Fats Saturated Fats And Trans Fats

These fats can also put your baby at risk of metabolic defects and developing obesity later as a child, according to studies. When it comes to your babys health, you may want to think long-term as well. Heres a list of fats you should avoid while pregnant:

• Lard
• Butter
• Cream cheese and some types of cheese
• Palm or kernel oil
• Heavy cream and sour cream
• Coconut oil

Some of these bad fats are also hiding in many desserts and other dairy products. Unless you are sure that these foods do not contain saturated fats or are cooked in healthy oils, cut back on the following foods:

• Sausages and hot dogs
• Pastries and other baked goods

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Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

You want to eat right when youre pregnant, but sometimes it can be hard to know just what that means.

In addition to getting extra calories, taking your prenatal vitamins to get nutrients like folic acid and iron and eating a well-balanced diet, theres also the subject of what not to eat when youre pregnant.

Environmental Exposures: Medium Risk

We all come into contact with environmental toxins every day, but you have to be extra careful during pregnancy. Its best to avoid unnecessary X-rays and exposure to lead, mercury, and pesticides, all of which may be associated with birth defects and miscarriage.

If you have an outdoor cat or do a lot of gardening, take proper precautions to avoid toxoplasmosis: wear gloves while changing your cats litter and gardening or be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after these activities.

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Do Visit Your Dentist

Trips to the dentists office were avoided for decades for fear that an oral cleaning might cause bacteria to spread and lead to an infection. Now we know thats just not the case.

In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that expectant mothers have a routine oral health assessment while pregnant, along with regular dental cleanings. Be sure to tell your dentist that youre pregnant.

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• behavior problems
• lagging patterns in terms of growth and development milestones

Even small amounts of alcohol can be a problem. There appears to be no safe level of alcohol intake in pregnancy.

If you need help stopping drinking while youre pregnant, talk with your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you get help, the healthier your baby is likely to be.

Grains And Starches Preferably Whole Grain

Grains, especially whole grains, and starches are important during pregnancy because they provide you with carbohydrates, which our bodies use for energy, and fibre, minerals and vitamins. Try to include wholegrains, such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, oats or other starchy foods, like potatoes at every main meal.

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Skin Care Products Containing Retinoids Formaldehyde And Hydroquinone: Medium Risk

We dont have a ton of evidence proving retinoids, formaldehyde, and hydroquinone are dangerous to a fetus, but experts suspect most products containing them do pose a risk.

If youve been a regular user of a product containing one of these ingredients and are struggling to find a safe substitute, talk to your doctorthey can work with you to find an alternative.

A Note About Supplements

Dietary supplements arent regulated by the FDA, so its best to avoid taking any extra vitamins or minerals during pregnancy unless your doctor has specifically told you to.

You can and should take a prenatal vitamin, which will be full of many of the most essential nutrients you need but may not already be getting in your diet. If youre still worried about a deficiency, try to get as many vitamins and minerals from real food sources as possible .

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Botox Injections And Chemical Peels: High Risk

When you use Botox for cosmetic or medical reasons, youre essentially injecting a toxin into your bloodstream. And chemical peels literally involve applying chemical exfoliants directly to your skin.

Since you should avoid exposure to unnecessary chemicals and toxins during pregnancy, these procedures should wait until after birth.

Be Flexible With Fish Choices

Fish is packed with nutrition and is an important addition to many peoples diets, especially if youre expecting. Its not only high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals, but supplies healthy omega-3 fatty acids that aid in your brain and heart health, and in your babys brain and retina development.

That doesnt make fish an all-you-can-eat food when youre pregnant, though. Most fish contain some level of mercury, a metal that can cause brain damage as well as vision and hearing problems for babies exposed in the womb. But certain types tend to contain more mercury than others. Large, long-living fish like bigeye tuna, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and orange roughy have the highest mercury levels and are best avoided.

Federal health agencies recommend that pregnant women eat two to three servings of fish per week, including a variety of low-mercury fish including cod, flounder, salmon, sardines, shrimp or canned light tuna or one serving per week of moderate-mercury fish like halibut, snapper or albacore tuna.

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Do: Take Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are not the same as everyday multivitamins. When you are pregnant, your body has different needs as it grows and changes. Your growing baby needs certain vitamins to develop healthily, too.

Prenatal vitamins include important nutrients including all of the calcium, iron, zinc, and folate that you need. Folate is especially important because it helps prevent some common but potentially very serious birth defects like anencephaly and spina bifida.

Should Pregnant People Completely Stop Drinking Alcohol

There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. It is safest to drink none at all.

Alcohol in the blood passes to the fetus via the umbilical cord, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously undermine fetal development.

Also, there is a risk that the baby will develop a . This can result in vision or hearing problems, issues with attention, and low body weight, among other complications.

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Food And Drinks To Avoid While Pregnant

No level of alcohol consumption is considered safe during pregnancy. Also, check with your doctor before you take any vitamins or herbal products. Some of these can be harmful to the developing fetus.

And although many doctors feel that one or two 6- to 8-ounce cups per day of coffee, tea, or soda with caffeine won’t harm your baby, it’s probably wise to avoid caffeine altogether if you can. High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other problems, so limit your intake or switch to decaffeinated products.

When you’re pregnant, it’s also important to avoid food-borne illnesses, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage. Foods to steer clear of include:

• soft, unpasteurized cheeses such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
• unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider
• raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse and tiramisu
• raw or undercooked meats, fish, or shellfish
• processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats
• fish that are high in mercury, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, tuna steak , and tilefish

If you’ve eaten these foods at some point during your pregnancy, try not to worry too much about it now just avoid them for the remainder of the pregnancy. If you’re really concerned, talk to your doctor.

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How Early Do You Tell Your Parents You Are Pregnant

Many parents-to-be wait until the end of the first trimester around week 13 to tell friends and family about their pregnancy. A number of factors influence why people wait until this time to share the news. Still, the most important part of your decision should revolve around what makes you the most comfortable.

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How Much More Do I Need To Eat When Pregnant

During the first trimester, you dont need to eat any extra portions. In the second trimester, you will need an extra 340 calories per day, and in the third trimester, about 450 extra calories a day. To get the extra energy you need, try to keep healthy snacks on hand, such as nuts, plain yoghurt and fresh fruit. To find a plan that works for you, speak to your healthcare provider.

Raw Fish And Shellfish

• Sushi: The common advice from doctors is to not eat raw fish sushi while youre pregnant, as raw fish can contain parasites and bacteria that can make you sick. However, if you regularly go to a sushi place and havent gotten sick there, you may be okay to keep eating there during your pregnancy.
• Raw shellfish: You should avoid eating things like raw oysters while youre pregnantthose parasites and bacteria again.

And dont forget: fish thats low in mercury is good for you and your babythose omega 3 fatty acids can help your babys brain and visual development. So dont shy away from eating cooked fish like salmon and mackerel.

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Factors That May Affect Your Pregnancy Diet

A balanced diet is composed of fruits, vegetables, healthy protein and dairies, plus grains. Its recommended for everyone. However, expecting moms have special dietary needs and may be given food restrictions during pregnancy. Your nutritionist may strongly advise you against eating specific foods depending on your symptoms, lifestyle, health condition, allergies and several physiological changes.

For example, consuming fruits is healthy but if it aggravates your nausea, your nutritionist may suggest an alternative or a different serving size. Aside from symptoms, other factors may contribute to your dietary plan.

Hot Tubs Saunas And Overheating

While relaxing in hot water may sound like an effective way to ease pregnancy discomfort, experts recommend avoiding hot tubs and saunas.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, hot tubs can cause hyperthermia, or abnormally high body temperature, which may lead to congenital abnormalities.

Additional activities that may cause the body temperature to rise too high include:

• hot yoga or Pilates

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women avoid contact sports, such as football or boxing.

Contact sports increase the risk of placental abruption, which is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Placental abruption is a severe condition that can cause preterm birth, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth.

Pregnant women are also more prone to injury as hormonal changes in the body cause the ligaments to become looser.

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Roller Coasters: Medium Risk

Jostling, bumping, bouncing, inverting upside downroller coasters are fun, but theyre generally not safe for pregnant women because of their jerky movements, high speeds, pressure changes, and potential impact to your abdomen.

There arent any official studies on this, but its a common-sense precaution many experts recommend. Hang out around the carnival games or arcade and save the roller coaster for after birth.

Tips For Nourishing Your Growing Baby

Congratulations on your pregnancy! With all of the excitement comes a lot of questions, a common one being: What do I eat?

It is important to follow a healthy diet at any time in your life, but its especially necessary during pregnancy. A balanced diet will help your baby to grow, develop and maintain a healthy weight.

Read on for our tips on how to shift your diet to accommodate and nurture your new family member.

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Raw Undercooked Or Deli Meats

Raw or undercooked meats can carry harmful things like toxoplasmosis and salmonella, while other foods can have listeria. These include:

• Hot dogs
• Cold cured meats like salami and smoked fish

To be extra safe, cook meat well and either avoid cold cuts while youre pregnant or heat them thoroughly. And be sure to wash your hands really well with soap and hot water after handling raw meat such as chicken and pork.