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 wont harm your baby, its 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 youre pregnant, its 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 youve 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 youre really concerned, talk to your doctor.
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Changes In Bathroom Habits
Bowel and bladder symptoms can appear in early pregnancy. A person might experience frequent urges to urinate during the day and night. They may also have constipation, which affects of people at some time during pregnancy, according to 2012 research.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the rise in hCG levels
8 days after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, levels rise by around 50% a day. HGC is detectable in urine a few days later than in the blood.
Tests for home use are urine tests. A person will need to go to a healthcare facility for a blood test.
A range of pregnancy tests are available for home use, and some are more sensitive than others. This means they can detect hCG at lower levels.
Many tests claim to be 99% accurate, but experts note that not all of them undergo rigorous scientific testing. A person may also get a false-negative result if they take the test too early, do not follow the instructions precisely, or do not handle the test as the manufacturer intended.
Some medical bodies suggest taking a test on the first day of a missed period, but many people do not know when their period should arrive, for example, if they experience irregular menstruation.
When taking a test, a person should:
- read the instructions carefully
- ensure they handle the test as advised
- try to avoid taking the test too early
Don’t Drink Alcohol Or Smoke While Pregnant
You’ve probably heard this one before, but you definitely don’t want to drink or smoke while you’re pregnant. ConsumerSafety.org health investigator Caitlyn Hoff told The List, “Rein in your addictions. Stay away from cigarettes and alcohol while pregnant.” She further explained, “We all know that cigarettes are bad for your health, but cigarette smoke can be even more dangerous to a developing fetus. Inhaling cigarette smoke while pregnant puts you and your child at a greater risk for premature birth, miscarriage, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .”
Regarding drinking, she added, “Alcohol is a similar story, with linked birth defects known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders along with higher risks of miscarriage and stillbirths.”
So ladies, if you’re pregnant, you need to stop drinking alcohol and smoking in order to best protect your future child’s health.
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How Soon You Can Take A Pregnancy Test
Step back from the supermarket shelves you should wait until the first day of a missed period before you do a pregnancy test . This is usually about two weeks after you think you conceived. So get your diary out and start counting.
Too keen to wait? Some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken earlier . This might be four or five days before your period is due .
If you can though, its most reliable to wait for the first day of your missed period. And that way you wont get any upset from an inaccurate result.
How Can I Stay Safe While Being Active
For your health and safety, and for your babys, you should not do certain physical activities while pregnant. Some of these are listed below. Talk to your health care professional about other physical activities you should not do.
Safety dos and donts
Follow these safety tips while being active.
| Do | Dont |
|---|---|
| Choose moderate activities that arent likely to hurt you, such as walking or water or chair aerobics. | Dont engage in sports where you could fall or injure your abdomen, such as soccer or basketball. |
| Drink fluids before, during, and after being physically active. Dont overdo it. | Avoid brisk exercise outside during very hot weather. |
| Wear comfortable clothing that fits well and supports and protects your breasts. | Dont use steam rooms, hot tubs, and saunas. |
| Stop exercising if you feel dizzy, short of breath, tired, or sick to your stomach. | Avoid exercises that call for you to lie flat on your back after week 12 in your pregnancy. |
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Rigorous Exercise Youre Not Used To
Good news: You can still work out while youre pregnant!
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise doesnt increase your chance of miscarriage or early delivery or your babys chance of having a low birth weight. So why is this on the list?
When youre pregnant, most doctors will advise that you can continue your current fitness routines with modifications where needed. That means this isnt the time to start training for a marathon if youve never run a day in your life.
And its best to avoid contact sports to avoid injuring yourself and the bump.
Youll also want to make sure youre not overheating and be mindful of your balance and high-impact activities. Your preggo hormones relax your ligaments, which can increase your risk of injury.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about what activities are safe for you and your pregnancy. Then, consult any trainers or instructors you work out with for any additional modifications you might need to keep you and baby safe.
Exercise is incredibly important, so make sure youre incorporating some pregnancy-friendly workouts into your routine. Even elite athletes continue to work out during pregnancy, and studies have shown that things turn out just fine.
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.
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Encourage A Pregnancy Test
The best way to know if your girlfriend is pregnant is by a urine pregnancy test no-cost pregnancy clinics can offer free testing with highly accurate pregnancy test results.
Medical pregnancy clinics are skilled at determining if a pregnancy is viable and will answer all your questions about each of your options for an unexpected pregnancy.
Eat Deli Meats Hot Dogs And Soft Cheeses
Pregnant women are 20 times more likely than other adults to get Listeriosis, a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, says Griffin. During pregnancy, an infection with Listeria can cause preterm labor or even stillbirth. Common foods that could be contaminated with Listeria and should be avoided include deli meats, hot dogs, soft cheeses like brie and feta, refrigerated smoked seafood, meat spreads, and raw sprouts.
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Pregnancy: What To Eat And What To Avoid
If youre pregnant and confused about what you can and cant eat, youre not alone. Its 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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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.
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I Didn’t Plan For This What Next
If you received a positive pregnancy test hoping for a negative result, take a deep breath and remember you have options. You can choose to have a medical or surgical termination, or you can carry the pregnancy to term and proceed with adoption. Don’t feel rushed to make this decision.
You’re encouraged to speak with your loved ones or a professional if you want to discuss your decision with another person. However, by no means do you have to. While there might be outside factors trying to influence your decision, remember that what you want to do with your body is up to you.
Teeth Whitening: Medium Risk
Whitening products havent been evaluated for safety during pregnancy, so most dentists suggest you avoid at-home or professional treatments. You can usually brush with a whitening toothpaste, though, as well as stick to the American Dental Associations list of best practices for healthy, white teeth.
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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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Can I Get Pregnant If Im On Birth Control
How well your birth control works depends on the method youre using and whether you take it correctly.
No method of birth control is 100% effective, even if used perfectly, except abstinence. So the best way to prevent pregnancy is by using both birth control and condoms. Theres another really good reason to do this: condoms are the only method of birth control that also protects you from STDs.
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Take Care With Certain Types Of Processed Meats
There are dozens of bacteria, viruses and parasites that can linger in foods and cause illness. Experts are particularly concerned about listeriosis a bacterial infection that can cause seemingly mild or even nonexistent symptoms in pregnant women, but which can be especially dangerous to an unborn baby including causing miscarriage, preterm labor or stillbirth.
Listeria infections during pregnancy are rare. Between 2009 and 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were just 227 cases in pregnant women in the United States. But research suggests that pregnant women may be up to 20 times more vulnerable to a listeria infection than the rest of the population.
Your immunity is altered when youre pregnant, and that makes you more susceptible to serious consequences of foodborne illness, said Dr. Zoe Kiefer, M.D., M.P.H., an ob-gyn at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Nearly one-quarter of all listeria cases in pregnant women in the United States result in fetal loss or death of the newborn, according to the C.D.C.
Experts have said to keep fruits and veggies , in your diet unless theres an outbreak. Cooking produce is another way to minimize potential risk, said Dr. Haley Oliver, Ph.D., an associate professor of food science at Purdue University.
In general, keeping kitchen surfaces clean, thoroughly washing fruits and veggies and properly storing them can help keep you protected.
Plan Ahead Before You Have Your Baby
- Find out what’s in store throughout pregnancy. The list you’re reading now gives you a feel for what happens in early pregnancy, but what else should you expect? Get a sneak peek at the months ahead with our quick pregnancy overview.
- Figure out your finances. They’re worth every penny, of course, but babies cost money. Use our baby cost calculator to get a feel for how expensive your bundle of joy is going to be in the first year. Then do what you can to get your bucks in a row.
- Get your ultimate pregnancy to-do list. Are you a planner? Do you want details? Look no further than our mega pregnancy checklist for the nitty-gritty on all your pre-baby tasks from conception until your due date.
- Brainstorm baby names. Finding the perfect baby name is one of the most exciting parts of the pregnancy journey though it can be a bit overwhelming. You don’t need to choose a name anytime soon , but it can be lots of fun to start a list of possibilities. Read up on how to pick a name and the pitfalls to avoid, and then browse our baby name inspiration lists and search for names in our Baby Names Finder.
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Take Care Of Yourself
This list of dos and donts in the first trimester of pregnancy may seem a bit intimidating. But dont let it scare you.
Most of these guidelines can be easily summed up: Take care of yourself. Be sure to eat healthy foods, drink lots of water and get enough sleep.
Before you know it, your little one will finally be here. When you hold and snuggle with your newborn, remember to thank yourself for following this list of dos and donts months ago in your first trimester. A healthy, happy baby makes it all worthwhile.
What Other New Habits May Help My Weight Gain
Pregnancy can create some new food, beverage, and eating concerns. Meet the needs of your body and be more comfortable with these tips. Check with your health care professional with any concerns.
- Eat breakfast every day. If you feel sick to your stomach in the morning, try dry whole-wheat toast or whole-grain crackers when you first wake up. Eat them even before you get out of bed. Eat the rest of your breakfast later in the morning.
- Eat high-fiber foods. Eating high-fiber foods, drinking water, and getting daily physical activity may help prevent constipation. Try to eat whole-grain cereals, brown rice, vegetables, fruits, and beans.
- If you have heartburn, eat small meals spread throughout the day. Try to eat slowly and avoid spicy and fatty foods . Have drinks between meals instead of with meals. Dont lie down soon after eating.
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Morning Sickness Or Nausea
That telltale, queasy feeling known as morning sickness can hit you at any time of day and it typically begins when youre about 6 weeks pregnant, though it can vary and strike even earlier. For most women, nausea starts by week 9.
Hormones, mainly increased levels of progesterone , can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, resulting in this early pregnancy symptom resembling seasickness.
When Should You See A Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If youve taken a pregnancy test and its positive, go ahead and make your first prenatal visit right away. This is also a great time to start looking into educational resources like the myHealthyPregnancy app.
At the first prenatal visit, youll get a physical exam and other tests to make sure everything is looking healthy, and youll learn about the rest of your prenatal appointment schedule. Youll also get to talk through any expectations and questions you have, such as which foods to eat and avoid while pregnant.
Questions or concerns about your symptoms? Our 24/7 nurse line is free for our members and patients.
Positive pregnancy test? Schedule a visit.
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How Much Should I Eat And Drink
Consuming healthy foods and low-calorie beverages, particularly water, and the appropriate number of calories may help you and your baby gain the proper amount of weight.
How much food and how many calories you need depends on things such as your weight before pregnancy, your age, and how quickly you gain weight. If youre at a healthy weight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you need no extra calories in your first trimester, about 340 extra calories a day in your second trimester, and about 450 extra calories a day in your third trimester.1 You also may not need extra calories during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Check with your health care professional about your weight gain. If youre not gaining the weight you need, he or she may advise you to take in more calories. If youre gaining too much weight, you may need to cut down on calories. Each womans needs are different. Your needs also depend on whether you were underweight, overweight, or had obesity before you became pregnant, or if youre having more than one baby.
