Things To Avoid

A disclaimer: The author is not a doctor, nor an authority on medical or pregnancy-related matters. The following is based on her own experiences and research.

For many women, one of the first questions asked at the initial prenatal visit is: what can I or can't I do, now that I'm pregnant? This can be broken down into numerous, more specific questions. What can I eat? What exercises can I do? Is sex still safe? etc. Remember as you read this that pregnancy is a natural and normal process, so try not to worry too much about every little bite of food you eat, the weight you might lift, or toxins you might inhale.

In reality, a lot of the "to avoid" list in pregnancy boils down to common sense. You don't want to do anything that puts yourself or your baby at risk, but he or she is also quite well-protected inside the uterus, so you don't have to treat yourself like an invalid, either. (Obviously the rules are different if you are having a high-risk pregnancy for any reason. Then your list of limitations will likely be longer, and should be discussed with your doctor.) For the most part, you can probably maintain your usual lifestyle within reason. For example, exercise is considered quite healthy for both mother-to-be and child. There are restrictions, of course, but moderate activity can be maintained throughout a normal pregnancy. A pregnant woman should be sure not to get out of breath or let her pulse rate get too high. She should also avoid exercises that require her to lie flat on her back, particularly in the last half of the pregnancy. Heavy lifting should also be avoided or done with extreme caution. Within those parameters, though, she can keep right on moving!

Along with exercise comes diet, and this can be a tricky area for a lot of women. A growing fetus requires more nutrition and extra caloric intake, but that does not actually mean "eating for two." Remember that the baby is still quite tiny, and does not require more than a few hundred added calories in your diet. Pregnancy is not necessarily a license to pig out on junk food because you are going to get fat anyway, though the occasional splurge is certainly allowed. In short, it's best to not just sit around for nine months and do nothing but eat.

There are a few specific foods and drinks to avoid while pregnant. How strict or lenient to be with this is an individual choice, but these are some common suggestions. Avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses and most deli-style lunchmeat products. Both can contain listeria, a bacterium which can make a pregnant woman very ill and can lead to complications in pregnancy. Stay away from shellfish and other high-mercury-content seafood, and eat other seafoods sparingly. Do not drink alcohol, or certain herbal teas (lists can be found on various websites and in books, if you are uncertain if your favorite herbs are safe or not). Coffee, soda, and caffeinated teas are fine in moderation, but don't go overboard with them. If you've always been a coffee-drinker, though, suddenly cutting it out of your system could be a bit jarring. It's better to just cut back than to quit entirely.

On the subject of addictive substances, now is the time to quit smoking as well. This applies both to tobacco and to any other smokeable substance. Staying away from all illegal drugs, along is important too, and probably goes without saying. As for the legal drugs, there are lists upon lists of which medications are safe or harmful to take. Generally speaking, if you can find the FDA classification of the medication (A, B, C, etc.), that is a good place to start. Where possible, stick to class A or B medications and avoid all others. However, the best course of action is to make sure the doctor prescribing you any medication is aware that you are pregnant, so he or she can help to evaluate the risks versus benefits to taking the medication.

The best way to be prepared for a healthy pregnancy is to do a lot of research. Books, websites, other parents, and caregivers are all good sources to help determine what is safe and not during pregnancy. The most important thing you can avoid is ignorance.