1. Limit or avoid the following
types of food:
- Some foods like deli meats, sushi or feta cheese can be challenging to your immune system. They can contain harmful chemicals that are bad for the developing brain and for your microflora.
- Avoid raw, unpasteurized meat: heat deli meat to 150 degrees before eating.
- Avoid fish high in mercury -- king mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tilefish.
- Fast food: during pregnancy your stomach size
decreases, while junk food can take up room and prevent you from eating
the foods you really need both for your and your baby's health.
2. Extra vitamin supplements: there
are special prenatal vitamins which will supply your organism with all
necessary substances. Consult your doctor for need in them taking them.
3. Limit exposure to toxins: be careful about everything you breathe and touch as it can easily affect your baby
- Smoking and second hand smoke: if you are a smoker, get rid of this bad habit! Otherwise it can cause the development of congenital diseases in your baby. Secondhand smoke is also dangerous for you and your baby, so ask others to smoke outside.
- Products: try to choose the safest products – without pesticides and harmful chemicals.
- Paint fumes: look for low VOC paints in order to avoid breathing many toxins while decorating a room. It’s better to have someone to paint for you.
- Garden: again try to avoid contact with pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.
- Household cleansers: basic ingredients like vinegar and
baking soda can tackle most household chores. Avoid products that say
warning, poison, or danger.
4. Alcohol and Drugs: there are
substances that can pass through to your baby and can be damaging as placenta
doesn't filter all chemicals
- Alcohol: it’s clear that alcohol can have a variety of negative effects on your developing baby. A "safe" amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy is still not established.
- Street drugs: the use of illegal drugs during pregnancy will definitely cause developmental impairment for the baby and pregnancy complications for the mom.
- Use all drugs with caution: before using any drug
during pregnancy, talk to your midwife or doctor to avoid cause
devastating effects to your baby.
5. Pet Precautions
- Cat litter: wear disposable gloves to lower the risk of toxoplasmosis or better ask someone to change the litter box instead of you.
- Avoid tick bites: they open you to the risk of lyme
disease. Reduce risk by wearing proper clothing and doing a "tick
check" after hiking.
6. Don't Overheat
- Try to keep your temp below 101°F.
- Avoid Sauna and hot tubs.
- Check your core temperature every 20 minutes during workouts using a rectal thermometer. Remember that your baby can't cool down by sweating. Slow down or have a rest if your temperature reaches 101°F.
- Hot weather: during extreme temperatures it’s helpful to drink plenty of water and work early in the day before the hottest day time.
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