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How healthy you are, and how good your immune system is can shape the way your child grows up. The process, unlike what we believe, doesn’t begin when you welcome your baby into the world. Indeed, it begins much earlier, when the embryo gradually starts to mature into your little munchkin. So, it becomes increasingly crucial for the environment in the womb to remain stable.
But, sometimes, we can affect our unborn baby negatively, simply because of the choices we make. Talking to your doctor may well be the best course of action. In the meanwhile, here are seven ways a pregnant woman can affect her baby.
1. Steer clear of traffic
An international study concluded that breathing in pollutants like dust and smog, or being exposed to traffic for long times while pregnant, may lead to low birth weight in the unborn baby. So, avoid getting into heavy traffic, or risking exposure to pollutants for too long.
2. Ditch processed meat
Processed meat may be delicious, and oh-so-convenient. But, there is nothing convenient about the symptoms of listeria, especially when you are expecting. It can lead to complications like premature delivery or even a stillbirth.
According to Dr. Melissa Goist, OB-GYN at Ohio State University the unfortunate thing about Listeria is that it can be anywhere.
3. More vitamin D
You can never get enough of vitamin D. It is an essential nutrient for the developing fetus, and is not easily available in foods. A University of Calgary research stated that low levels of Vitamin D in pregnant women increased their risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight and gestational diabetes.
4. Avoid SSRIs
Antidepressants and SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) can lead to complications in an expectant woman. It has been found that more than one out of ten women take antidepressants during pregnancy. A Boston fertility clinic psychologist Alice Domar maintains that cognitive therapy, including counseling and not medication, should be the first line of treatment.
5. Stay away from passive smoke
Smoking is something that most pregnant women, at least the ones who love themselves, don’t do. But, what you also need to avoid is hanging around people who smoke. A recent study noted that children born to moms who had been exposed to second-hand smoke during their gestational phase gave birth to children who developed aggression problems by the time they were five years old.
6. Moderate coffee intake
Getting up early and getting things done may not seem very sunny without that morning cup of coffee, but if experts were to be believed, you’d be doing yourself no harm in avoiding that tempting elixir…em drink. If you must drink coffee, it shouldn’t be any more than six ounces every day.
7. Control weight gain
Obesity during pregnancy can increase your chances of suffering from a wide array of problems. However, studies have now linked maternal obesity to obesity in children later in life. One particular study hinted at the increased risk of asthma in the unborn baby as well.
If you think you are negatively affecting your unborn baby in any way during your pregnancy, we’d suggest you speak to your OB/GYN. We hope you found this post useful. Tell us below.
