A Healthy Lifestyle during Pregnancy

What Should I give up when I’m Pregnant?

Smoking – There are over 400 active substances in a cigarette that can cause cancer, retard growth, causes changes on DNA. What’s more is that absolutely no doubt that woman who smoke has a much higher rate of experiencing all sorts of problems during pregnancy and birth to a significantly smaller baby. Smoking also causes stillbirth, miscarriage and maternal rejection of the fetus at all stages of pregnancy. Smoking increases the risk of bleeding which can be regarded as a threatened rejection. It also reduces the rate of cell replication and it can have profound effects during pregnancy.

As if that is not enough, cigarette smoking reduces oxygen delivery to the fetus and this result to babies being born prematurely.

Alcohol – is a social poison that that is widely consumed and is rarely considered as a drug use. Pregnant women should not drink at all let alone excessively. It is common knowledge that alcohol has extremely damaging effects on reproductive health as the adverse effects of alcohol on various body systems and in reproduction has long been established.

Adverse Effects of Alcohol

Caffeine – pregnant women metabolize caffeine three times more slowly than non pregnant women who results in caffeine being accumulated and the fetus receiving significant caffeine exposure. So even small amounts of caffeine can be dangerous and is best completely avoided.

Pharmaceutical Drugs – includes those bought over the counter for treatment of minor ailments as well as those prescribed by the medical practitioners. Taking pharmaceutical drugs will directly affect your baby and can cause changes in your baby’s genes and chromosomes. Street and recreational drugs should be completely avoided. Drug use during pregnancy has the potential for all manners of adverse effect on the mother’s health and may cause growth retardation, miscarriage, malformation and still birth. There may also be adverse effects on the long term growth and behavior is the baby survives.

With careful attention to all aspects of your diet and lifestyle during pregnancy obviously in some instances medication will still be necessary however your doctor may be able to prescribe a less problematic drug. As we keep saying pregnancy is not an illness to be injured. It is a special time of your life that needs to be relished and enjoyed.

Flying – Most parents will see pregnancy as the last opportunity to go on holidays alone together or quite some time. You may also feel that it is your last chance to take a much desired trip to some exotic vacation.  Flying increases exposure to radiation and it should be avoided during the first semester. Many IVF clinics advise pregnant women not to fly for at least 12 weeks due to concerns of miscarriage. Traveling to international destination always poses concerns other than flying if you are pregnant. Depending on where you’re going, your doctor may advise that you need to be vaccinated. Some vaccines and anti malaria drugs are clearly not good for pregnant women. So if you are pregnant and your heart is still set on going on that holiday, then you need to carefully weigh up carefully the actual risks of contracting a disease in the country to which you are traveling. Also consider the infections that you might really be exposed to. However if you are serious about your pregnancy you might also seriously consider the areas you will visit and go to destinations not plagued with health problems. Environmental pollution means you’re constantly exposed to an extremely potent chemical cocktail. It is estimated that you might be in contact with as many as 800 chemicals straight away.

Renovation – Pregnancy is not the right time to renovate since so many of the building products contains toxins. However this seems to be the time when couples are inspired to renovate or build an extension to accommodate their growing family and have a pleasant environment for their new baby.  But really a little baby will only take up a small amount of space and a baby will not need its own room for a while yet. However there is no reason not to get a professional company to attend to the work on your behalf.