Research-backed
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During pregnancy, a woman experiences numerous challenges. Right from her body to her emotional state, she is met with an array of changes. You have to be mindful about what you eat, what you drink, how much you rest, and how stressed you get. With a baby growing in your belly, you should not take it lightly and ensure that you and your baby are healthy. You might have to make considerable adjustments to your daily life and adapt to new lifestyle changes to accommodate the developing fetus. You hear a lot about the things you should do during pregnancy but are you aware of what you must avoid? Without further ado, let’s look at the 9 things to avoid during pregnancy:
1. Alcohol Consumption
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It’s probably not news to you that consuming alcohol is a big NO during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has shown to cause significant harm to the baby and its development. It can also lead to congenital disabilities and long-term medical issues (1).
2. Hot Tubs And Saunas
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While it might be tempting to kick back and enjoy a steamy sauna session to relax during your stressful pregnancy months, it is probably best to avoid it. You’re already warmer during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes and increased blood supply to the skin. Therefore, the risks of overheating, dehydration, and fainting are considerably high when you’re pregnant (2).
3. Contact Sports
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Another no-brainer, contact sports are risky when you’re pregnant. Whether it is kickboxing, basketball, rugby, or volleyball, the risk of injury to you and your baby is high. Therefore, it is best to avoid playing games that may cause harm to both of you.
4. Fall Risk Activities
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You might love to engage in skating, rock climbing, and skiing but during your pregnancy, put these activities on hold. They are activities that have a high fall risk that should be avoided when you’re pregnant for the safety of you and your baby. Also, steer clear of ladders, stools, and slippery surfaces during those nine months.
5. Rides In Amusement Parks
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You have to keep your inner adrenaline junkie in check during pregnancy and avoid activities that could startle you. Roller coasters and other rides in amusement parks with a jarring effect should be avoided because it could lead to the premature separation of the placenta (3).
6. Changing Your Cat’s Litter Box
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No one’s asking you to give up your cat because you’re pregnant. However, stay away from its litter box and get someone else to clean it. Ensure that it is cleaned daily to avoid toxoplasma exposure in your environment. The toxoplasma parasite becomes infectious between 1-5 days after its shed in cat feces (4).
7. Lifting Heavy Weights
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Do not lift weights during your workout sessions when you’re pregnant. Due to changes in posture and balance, pregnant women are at a higher risk of injury, which may increase the chances of a miscarriage or premature birth (5).
8. Smoking
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Smoking is a filthy habit, whether you are pregnant or not. It causes several health complications and reduces your life expectancy. However, smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of preterm delivery and low birth weight in newborns. It puts the baby at risk for mental health complications and SIDS. It can also weaken your baby’s lungs and increase the chances of a miscarriage (6).
9. Medicines And Exercise
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While it’s normal for women to take over-the-counter medications for nausea, backaches, and headaches, always ensure that you’ve cleared it with your doctor before making that decision during pregnancy.
When it comes to working out, you don’t have to avoid it completely, especially if you’ve been working out before you conceived. However, discuss your exercise plans with your doctor to check if they are suitable for you before you commit to a workout plan.
There are a lot of reasons why pregnancy is a magical experience. But it can also be terrifying because you have to make sure you’re adopting a healthy lifestyle that serves you and your baby’s well-being.
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