During the whole period of 40 weeks of pregnancy, the first three months are always considered as crucial as the fetus develops its primary organs during this period. Pregnant women are generally told a list of do’s and don’ts during their first trimester as it is considered the most vulnerable time for the baby. Though, there are certain things that need to be followed throughout the period of pregnancy to safeguard the health of both the mother and the child.
1. Don’t Bend And Lift Heavy Objects
The moment you announce the arrival of a new member of your family, this advice comes first before everything else. Although we are hearing it for ages, most people do not give much thought to why pregnant women should not lift heavy objects.
When a woman conceives her bones and ligaments tend to loosen up and her joints are not very stable as they were before. So when you carry anything more than 20 pounds you more likely have a chance of tripping and falling.
Also when your belly grows as you progress in your pregnancy, your center of gravity moves forward which puts more pressure on your lower back. Another reason is that when you bend and lift heavier objects half of the pressure will be on your baby which can induce premature labour.
Also Read: Pregnancy Pillow: What Is It & Why Do You Need It?
2. Avoid Long-Distance Travelling During Pregnancy
During pregnancy when you take long-distance travel, the chances of miscarriages are high. As we know that fetus gains its fundamental growth in the first 3 months and wobbling due to travel can disturb fetal development which may result in miscarriage. Morning sickness is more during the initial months of pregnancy, which can be problematic when traveling long distances.
As you progress towards the time of labor, it is advisable to avoid traveling. When you pass your 37th week of gestation, your water bag will become weaker and more vulnerable to withstand the jiggles caused by travel. While the safest period to travel during gestation is considered the second trimester some women can develop more contagious diseases like UTI, so it's best for them to avoid traveling as well.
3. Avoid Smoking And Alcohol Drinking During Pregnancy
As it has been scientifically proven that smoking and consumption of alcohol have a lot of repercussions for the child, complete avoidance of alcohol is advised by the WHO during pregnancy. The problem is that there is no safest level of consuming alcohol, so it is strongly advised to steer away from liquors – be it wine or champagne.
Smoking also has many health implications for babies in the womb. Babies born to moms who smoke and consume alcohol may weigh less than babies born from moms who do not drink and smoke. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can also result from smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
Also Read: Pregnancy and Partying I What you need to know?
4. Give Up Caffeine And Other Carbonated Drinks
Ideally, we should all be avoiding caffeine as it causes sleeping problems, nervousness, anxiety, irritation and other heart-related issues. During pregnancy, giving up caffeine helps mothers and children to stay away from many health issues. Likewise, carbonated drinks have also contained toxins and chemicals which can hamper the growth of the child. Go for fresh juices and shakes instead.
5. Say No To Junk And Processed Food
All packaged foods contain chemical agents to preserve color, texture and flavors added. When these processed foods are consumed by women during pregnancy, they can affect the child adversely. Chemically treated food can give rise to many carcinogenic and hormonal problems. Junk food is also not advised to eat during the pregnancy period.
6. Don’t Take Any Unprescribed Medicines
As a layman, we are unlikely to know the chemical combination and how it can impact our body. Many of the pills and syrup we tend to take contain alcoholic content and other chemicals which can be harmful to your unborn baby.
Before taking any pills (even the ones taken by you very frequently) ask your doctor. Physicians also insist to avoid any over-the-counter pills during pregnancy.
7. Avoid Fishes That Contain High Mercury levels And Seafood
Fishes and other seafood are considered excellent sources of protein and many nutrients which your body needs. Fishes that are high in mercury level shark, swordfish and king mackerel should be cut down during pregnancy. Though fishes like tuna are popular as they are rich in Omega 3, consumption should be limited to 2 to 3 times a week.
Other kinds of seafood like crabs, shrinks, prawns, starfishes and lobsters can cause allergic reactions to your skin. This seafood can induce allergy-producing agents in your body and activate unwanted acid secretion.
Besides this, the freshness of seafood, which reaches the market only after several days, is also questionable. So these foods are preserved with a chemical which is again harmful to you and your baby. When you do prefer to have fish then always go for fish caught fresh – which you can be sure of.
Conclusion
There are a number of emotions you must be feeling when you find out that you are pregnant. You will become completely cautious about everything around you. But remember one step at a time no need to stress yourself. Enjoy each phase of your pregnancy whether it’s happy or painful. You are a strong woman and you are going to be a strong mother too.
Were you aware of these precautions during pregnancy? Did you follow these precautions during your pregnancy? Share below!!
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