What Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?
Nutrition During Pregnancy
What you eat during pregnancy can affect the health of your growing baby. It is important to eat a variety of healthy food during pregnancy. It is also important to avoid things that may harm you and baby. Below you will read about items to avoid. Always check with your doctor for more information about how to have a healthy pregnancy.
Alcohol
No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Less than two drinks a day can lead to, miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and brain problems. More than four drinks a day can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Baby may develop learning disabilities, balance and coordination problems, and hyperactivity. Infants with FAS are born with distinct physical features. They may have a small head, flattened nose bridge, longer and flattened upper lip, small eyes, and deformed ears. There may also be defects to other organs such as the heart.
FAS is 100% preventable by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women drink alcohol before they know they are pregnant. For this reason, if you could become pregnant or if you are trying to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol.
Large Amounts of Caffeine
There is some evidence that large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy can increase your chances of problems. There is more risk of having a miscarriage, preterm delivery, or low birth weight baby. Caffeine can cross the placenta through the blood stream and harm the baby. Researchers are not sure how much caffeine can be consumed before it causes damage.
Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. But don’t worry. There is still no concrete evidence to show small amounts of caffeine causes permanent damage to baby. You don’t need to completely give up your coffee or favorite soda. Up to 2 cups of coffee seems to be safe. Soda has much less caffeine than coffee, but should still be limited. Avoid all energy drinks, as they often have extremely high amounts of caffeine as well as other compounds that have not been tested for safety during pregnancy.
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Most Cats
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that many cats carry. About 20-40% of the population has had the disease, toxoplasmosis, caused by this parasite. Most have never had any symptoms. If Toxoplasmosis is contracted for the first time during pregnancy it can be passed to baby. It may cause baby to be underweight and premature. Baby can also develop a fever, jaundice, eye problems, and other long term brain problems. The risk that baby will get the parasite is highest in the first three months. The risk of severe complications from the disease is greatest if baby gets it in the last three months. About 1 out of every 1,000 pregnant women is infected with this parasite. If you have cats, have someone else change the litter box or use gloves and a face mask. Do not breathe in any particles when you scoop out the stool. Also, wear gloves while gardening because cats may have left stool with this parasite in the soil.
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Illegal Drugs
Any amount of an illegal drug can harm you and baby. Pregnant women that take any illegal drug may have a miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth. A baby may have abnormal development, growth and mental retardation, and low birth weight. Baby may also become addicted if exposed to addictive drugs during pregnancy. Baby may go through withdrawal within days of being born. Get help to quit and avoid these substances, especially during pregnancy.
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Fish with High Levels of Methylmercury
Fish and shellfish can be part of a healthy diet during pregnancy. But it must be limited to prevent mercury poisoning. Rivers and lakes absorb mercury that is naturally occurring in the environment and from pollution. It then becomes methylmercury. As fish swim and feed in these waters, they build up methylmercury in their tissues. Small fish tend to have very small amounts of methylmercury. But large fish live a lot longer and have much more. Mercury can be toxic to your baby's developing nervous system.
Fish to avoid during pregnancy include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Also check methyl mercury levels before eating fish caught locally.
It is safe to eat up to 12 ounces of many fish, including salmon, shrimp, light tuna, catfish, and pollock. Albacore tuna often has more mercury than light tuna. You should limit albacore tuna to no more than 6 ounces a week.
Raw Fish, Undercooked Meat and Poultry
Raw and undercooked meat may contain bacteria and parasites. These can be harmful during pregnancy. Do not eat raw fish such as sushi, sashimi, or ceviche. Always cook fish and other meat and follow good food safety techniques.
The only way to be sure that your meat is cooked enough is to use a meat thermometer. Meat should reach 160EF and poultry should reach 180EF. Fish should flake easily with a fork.
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Certain Medications
Always talk to your doctor before you take any medications during pregnancy. This includes over the counter or prescription medicine. Some medications can affect baby’s development. They may affect the development of organs, cause brain damage, or lead to a miscarriage. For a list of medications that are considered safe during pregnancy click here.
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Pica
Pica is the craving for items with little or no nutritional value. Cravings are usually for non food substances. Examples are dirt, clay, laundry detergent, stones, charcoal, mothballs, ice, cornstarch, toothpaste, soap, sand, plaster, baking soda, and coffee grounds. These items can harm you and baby because they may contain toxic elements. They also have little to no nutrition for a healthy pregnancy. These items can interfere with the absorption of healthy foods. There is no proven reason why these cravings occur. If you have cravings, tell your doctor and find ways to control the craving. Chewing sugarless gum or telling a friend to help you avoid these foods can help.
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Unpasteurized Milk and Certain Cheeses
Do not drink or eat unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses during pregnancy. Soft cheese and unpasteurized milk may contain bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Examples of soft cheese include mozzarella, blue cheese, unpasteurized Mexican-style cheeses, queso fresco, goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, and feta. These bacteria can also be found in hot dogs or deli meats. Listeriosis is the disease that develops from these bacteria. It can cause headache, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. In serious cases it can lead to stiff neck, severe headaches, and meningitis. Listeria can make pregnant women very sick. It can also cross the placenta and cause miscarriage or major health problems for baby.
Block cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and pasteurized process cheese are safe. Avoid eating the foods listed above while you are pregnant. Hot dogs and luncheon meats should be heated until steaming before eating them to kill any bacteria.
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Links About What to Avoid During Pregnancy
Alcohol
March of Dimes—http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1170.asp
Caffeine
March of Dimes—http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_816.asp
Cats
Center for Disease Control and Prevention—
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
Methylmercury
Environmental Protection Agency
What You Need to Know—http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fishadvice/advice.html
Mercury News—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
Fish Advisories—http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/
Unpasteurized Milk and Certain Cheeses
Center for Disease Control and Prevention—http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/listeriosis_g.htm
USDA—http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/lm_tearsheet.pdf
Community Resources for Pregnancy:
Community Resources: Pregnancy Assistance
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