5 Unhealthy Habits to Avoid While Being Pregnant

Being pregnant brings a lot of changes in a woman’s life, especially her lifestyle. There aren’t many rules about what to do and what not to during pregnancy, beyond the abstinence from alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. For the most part, one can continue with a normal lifestyle as they were before. However, keeping some precautions in mind is essential for an easy and safe journey in this phase for the mother, as well as the baby. Consult a reliable doctor to understand the do’s and don’ts now to make this process more effortless as an expecting mother.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO AVOID IN PREGNANCY?

Here is a list of 5 things one should definitely avoid at all costs to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

• Specific foods

During pregnancy, here are some foods to be avoided:

• Raw meat and shellfish.

These can be infected with toxoplasmosis or salmonella. 

• Deli meat.

They are contaminated with listeria, the bacteria that crosses the placenta and infects the developing baby. An infection in utero could lead to blood poisoning and is life-threatening for the baby.

• Fish with high levels of mercury.

These include Shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish. In g

eneral, canned, chunk light tuna has lower levels of mercury, but it’s still smart to eat it sparingly.

• Smoked seafood.
• Raw eggs.
• Wet paint

Paint toxicity depends on the individual solvents and chemicals in the paint, as well as exposure. While it’s assumed that household painting has a low exposure level, the safest course of action is to seriously reduce your exposure to the fumes from these paints. 

• Caffeine

It’s a stimulant and a diuretic, which means drinking your usual few cups of coffee every day will increase your blood pressure, heart rate, and the number of trips you make to the restroom. Plus, caffeine crosses the placenta. While the mother just functions fine caffeinated, the growing baby doesn’t. That’s because the baby’s metabolism is still developing. 

• Certain medications

Some medications can be harmful to the growing baby. Before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications and supplements, speak to the doctor.

• Stilettos

Stick to heels with a 3-inch heel or less: Think of kitten heels, wedges, and platforms. As the belly grows, the center of gravity will change. So, the mother may find herself a little unsteady on her feet. Added to that there are swollen ankles, and the mother might find herself living in the flip flops as the best alternative.

Even though all types of information are available online, it doesn’t mean that every source needs to be trusted. Being reasonable and visiting the doctor for consultation is the best solution for understanding the underlying problems and habits which could affect the mother and the child.