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| The Whole 9 Months
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The A-Z Of What’s Safe In Pregnancy
With conflicting advice from everyone, it’s difficult to know what to avoid in pregnancy. Here's a cheat sheet, just for you!
THINGS YOU MUST KNOW
A little romp can do you a world of good during pregnancy.
To boost your folic acid levels, fill up on green vegetables and wholegrain cereals fortified with folic acid.
Stick to hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Edam and you’ll be fine.
Don’t suffer in silence ― talk to your gynae, GP or husband about your anxieties ― the more relaxed and secure you feel, the better your chance of a positive, healthy pregnancy. |
A is for Alcohol
Imbibed heavily on the chardonnay before you realised you were pregnant? Don’t worry. Those early drinking sessions are unlikely to have affected your baby’s development. However, persistent, heavy drinking during pregnancy can have a harmful effect on your baby. Try to stop drinking alcohol completely, or only have the occasional tipple. You should have no more than one small glass of wine a week.
B is for Brie
If you’re a cheese fan, you’ll need to be careful which type you eat when you’re pregnant. Avoid unpasteurised cheeses as they’re more likely to grow bacteria, such as listeria, which causes food poisoning, the effects of which can cross your placenta and harm your unborn baby, thus increasing the risk of miscarriage. Soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie, or blue-veined alternatives such as Stilton and Gorgonzola, are all a no-no. But you needn’t give up cheese altogether ― stick to hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Edam and you’ll be fine.
C is for Contact with Reptiles
Many of us share our homes with lizards. But do you know that reptiles like lizards, iguanas, turtles, or snakes carry the salmonella bacteria? This bacteria is easily spread when humans place their hands on the reptiles or on objects that have been in contact with the reptiles’ stool, or consume salmonella-tainted food. Expectant mothers and children under 5 are particularly at risk of a salmonella infection.
D is for Depilatories
You’re be better off ditching the depilatories (hair removal creams), as they contain chemicals that can seep through your skin into your blood stream and harm your baby. Stick to the trusty old razor or, try waxing or electric epilator if you’re feeling brave, but be warned; it might be doubly painful due to your extra-sensitive pregnancy skin.
E is for Exercise
Thinking of running a marathon at around 30 weeks of your pregnancy? Well, we’d advise against it. But don’t put away your trainers just yet, as regular, gentle exercise is essential during pregnancy. Not only will it keep your pregnancy weight gain to a minimum, it also keeps your joints supple in preparation for the birth while easing niggles, such as heartburn and oedema. Avoid high-impact exercises, which will jar your joints. Try walking, prenatal yoga, or why not sign up for an aquanatal class?
F is for Folic Acid
Extra folic acid is essential to help your baby’s developing brain and spinal cord. It’s important in the first trimester and you should take a 400mcg folic acid supplement every day from three months before you try to conceive, until your twelfth week of pregnancy. To boost your folic acid levels, fill up on green vegetables and wholegrain cereals fortified with folic acid.
G is for German Measles
The German measles virus, also known as rubella, can cross the placenta and cause a variety of birth defects including ear, eye and heart problems. Vaccination isn’t safe during pregnancy, although you should have had the jab while in school. Your GP can check if you’re immune. If you are not immune to rubella, avoid anyone with a rash, and avoid travelling to places where the virus is still common.
H is for Hair Dye
There’s no evidence that dying your hair can harm your unborn baby, but there is a risk that the chemicals used could seep through your scalp and into your blood stream, so choose non-chemical treatments such as henna, or highlight your hair instead. Highlighting is safer, because the dye is only applied to the hair shaft and can’t be absorbed into your skin.
I is for Iron
Iron is essential for a healthy pregnancy because it helps you make haemoglobin, the chemical that carries oxygen in your blood. When you’re pregnant, your body needs more iron to produce more haemoglobin to meet the growing foetus’ needs ― it helps to develop the placenta while preventing pre-term and low birthweight babies. Increase your intake of iron by loading up on lots of leafy green vegetables and red meat. Supplements can affect the way that you absorb nutrients in your food, so stay away from them if possible.
J is for Jacuzzi
If you’re a fan of jacuzzis or saunas, you may need to find a cooler way of pampering yourself during pregnancy. Hot baths over 37 deg C, excessive use of spas, jacuzzis and saunas have all been linked to birth defects. Overheating in pregnancy can also lower your blood pressure and make you feel nauseous.
K is for Kitty Litter
Don’t panic, you don’t have to send your kitten to the SPCA just yet ― but stay away from the littler tray. Cat poop is a breeding ground for toxoplasmosis, which can give you flu-like symptoms if you get infected, which can also harm your unborn baby. Around one in every 500 women are infected by toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, so wash your hands after stroking your cat and hand over all litter duties to you husband.
L is for Liver
Although liver is a rich source of iron, essential for a healthy pregnancy, it also contains high levels of vitamin A, which is linked to birth defects and should be avoided as much as possible. Liver pâté is even worse because it carries a risk of listeria and toxoplasmosis too ― so avoid all unpasteurised pâtés until your baby is born.
M is for Massage
Essential oils such as clary sage and lavender used during massage have been linked to birth defects, so avoid those in the first trimester. There are lots of massages tailored for pregnant women though, so you needn’t go without. Remember to speak to a qualified aromatherapist first and warn your masseur before you make an appointment. If you’re unsure, give essential oils or aroma massages a miss for peace of mind.
N is for Nicotine
Smoking puts your unborn baby at risk of stillbirth, low birthweight, physical defects, miscarriage and cot death. The side effects of smoking in pregnancy aren’t great for you either ― they include vomiting, urinary infections, thrush and complications during the birth. Giving up isn’t easy ― if you’re finding it an uphill struggle, talk to your GP or call the Health Promotion Board’s toll-free QuitLine at 1-800-438-2000, during office hours (turn to No More Butts on page 30 for details on kicking the habit).
O is for Over-The-Counter Medication
It’s impossible to avoid getting a headache or the odd nasty cold or cough when you’re expecting, but knowing what you can and can’t take can be tricky. Most antibiotics, including penicillin, are safe to take, but tetracycline can discolour your
baby’s teeth if taken after 12 weeks. And while the occasional paracetamol is fine, avoid taking aspirin and ibuprofen. Likewise, many cold and flu treatments contain
a cocktail of different drugs, so always ask your pharmacist to recommend something suitable. Better still, consult see your gynaecologist or GP to prescribe pregnancy-safe drugs.
P is for Peanuts
Most nuts are safe to eat during pregnancy but you might want to think twice before you open a packet of peanuts. While eating peanuts doesn’t adversely affect everyone, avoid them when you’re pregnant. You’re especially at risk if you, your husband or any of your other children have a history of allergies, such as eczema or asthma. Pregnancy can also make a person ultra-sensitive to foods she was not previously allergic to.
Q is for Questioning
It’s only natural to ask lots of questions when you’re pregnant, after all, you want to make sure your little one is getting the best start in life. But excessive worrying can turn your pregnancy into nine months of nervous exhaustion. Don’t suffer in silence ― talk to your gynae, GP or husband about your anxieties ― the more relaxed and secure you feel, the better your chance of a positive, healthy pregnancy.
R is for Raw Meat and Fish
Avoid raw and undercooked foods, particularly meat and fish, because they carry a huge risk of toxoplasmosis, listeria and E-coli. The same can be said for eggs. Just remember to cook everything thoroughly. Unwashed fruit, vegetables and salad can also harbour toxoplasmosis, so wash everything and stay away from pre-prepared varieties.
S is for Sex
A little romp can do you the world of good during pregnancy. But you needn’t worry that your little one can feel what’s going on during sex. Your baby is protected by amniotic fluid and a mucus plug that seals your cervix, so all she can feel is the gentle movement of your uterus.
T is for Tuna
While most oily fish is considered healthy during pregnancy, tuna may have high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to your baby’s nervous system. You don’t have to avoid eating it completely, but try to limit your intake to no more than two steaks or four medium tins a week. The same goes for swordfish, shark and marlin.
U is for UVAs
Pregnancy hormones can cause you to tan more easily, and you’ll also burn much faster. Most Asian women are also known to be inflicted with the “pregnancy mask” or melasma (dark spots or patches on the cheeks, upper lips, nose and chin). So avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight and use high-factor sun protection with whitening properties to lighten existing spots. Melasma may fade after childbirth, but it usually persists.
V is for Vitamins
Vitamins might well be the secret to healthy hair, nails and skin, but steer well clear of them when you’re expecting. If you want to take a supplement, make sure it’s specifically formulated for pregnancy. Multivitamins are a big no-no as too much vitamin A has been linked to birth defects. Many skin creams contain vitamin A too, so always check the label before you use a moisturiser.
W is for Wearing Underwired Bras
A well-fitting bra is essential during pregnancy as it’ll support your growing boobs and stop them sagging. Underwired bras aren’t recommended though, as they don’t offer the right comfort and support. Get fitted by a professional and bear in mind you could go up by a couple of cup sizes, so you might have to go lingerie shopping more than once!
X is for X-Rays
If you need an x-ray, whether for an injury or dental treatment, make sure your bump is covered with a lead apron beforehand. The same goes for fillings as the mercury amalgam used in fillings can cause blood poisoning. Go for regular check-ups and polishes to avoid needing such treatment.
Y is for Yoga
Yoga is ideal exercise for pregnant women. But some positions are deemed unsafe after 20 weeks because ligaments in your body have loosened, thanks to overstretching by your pregnancy hormones. Make sure you go to a reputable, pregnancy-friendly class.
Z is for Zoos
Thinking of taking a trip to the zoo? Think again. Certain animals carry bugs that can be potentially damaging for you and your baby. Farm animals such as lambs and ewes are particularly dangerous. Steer clear of the reptile enclosure too ― lizards, iguanas, turtles and snakes often carry salmonella in their faeces.
- Mother & Baby
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