Things to avoid while pregnant

You’re mostly going to continue living the way you were before the pregnancy. Nevertheless, to ensure that Your Child develops safely, there are things you must avoid during pregnancy. 

Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol, even in small quantities, is never safe during pregnancy. Alcohol is extremely water-soluble and easily crosses the placenta to enter your Your Child’s circulation where it can do a lot of damage to the developing brain and organs. Eventually, this can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and other developmental disorders. If you were consuming alcohol before being aware of your pregnancy, stop now. 

Avoid active or passive smoking
Smoking is dangerous for you and your developing Your Child, and so is being in close proximity to someone smoking. The emitted smoke has about 4,000 chemicals. Your Child’s tiny brain and body can get seriously damaged if exposed to these chemicals. 

Be careful with pills and medications
A lot of pills and medications can do harm to your little Your Child. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs. You must avoid diet pills and illegal drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and other hard drugs.

Don’t sit or stand for too long
Staying in the same position for too long may lead to all sorts of issues, such as venous congestion and swollen ankles. Try changing position (move about if you have been sitting or rest the legs if you have been standing) as often as is necessary to enhance blood flow.

Don’t gain too little and too much weight
You’re feeding yourself and Your Child, so you need to eat well to support the little one’s development. However, eating for two doesn’t mean you need twice your daily calories — Your Child is still small. Adding too much weight will affect your health and may cause complications during delivery. 

Don’t eat raw meat
Eating raw and undercooked meat and eggs comes with the risk of foodborne diseases, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. There’s also the possibility of food poisoning. These conditions don’t just cause serious illnesses but also lead to severe birth defects and even miscarriage. Be sure to cook the eggs and meat you eat during pregnancy.

Don’t clean the cat’s litter box
Don’t change the kitty litter, because cat feces can carry toxoplasma, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. But if you must, make sure you wear gloves and wash your hands well afterward.

Don’t believe everything you read online
There are lots of false information online, so be careful what you read. It’s better to trust your instincts, and when in doubt, talk to your doctor.